
Dr Nikolas Thomopoulos
About
Biography
Dr Nikolas Thomopoulos is an Associate Professor in Transport. Before joining Surrey, he was a researcher at LSE Cities and at the Institute for Transport Studies of the University of Leeds, where he was also a Marie Curie fellow. He studied economics at the University of Macedonia in Greece, then completed his MSc at the University of Oxford and subsequently acquired his PhD from the University of Leeds. Following his studies in Greece, Germany and the UK he has contributed in a range of FP-6, FP-7, H2020 funded research projects and has advised start-ups as an independent business consultant. In the build-up to COP-21 he co-ordinated research within the New Climate Economy project which was funded by national governments, and collaborated with established academics and practitioners across the globe. In 2015 he was an advisor for the Best Conceptual Project of the London Planning Awards.
He has been an academic visitor at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, the Chair of a RSA Research Network on 'smart' and 'green' regional growth, a contributor to the planning of the Surrey MaaS project and a member of UK academic missions to Brazil and China. In addition to being an evaluator of funding proposals, a member of Technical Programme Committees of large conferences, he has delivered keynote presentations at conferences, hosted international workshops, co-edited books and special issues about ICT for transport, urban mobility futures and autonomous vehicles. Currently he is the Principal Investigator of the University of Surrey Living Lab leading a project focusing on active travel, a UK representative at the Global Digital Human Rights Network and the Chair of WISE-ACT (Wider Impacts and Scenario Evaluation of Autonomous and Connected Transport), a research network of more than 150 experts in 42 countries.
Having more than 10 years teaching experience in the UK at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels has contributed in understanding the needs to enhance the learning experience of home and overseas students. He has supervised MSc and PhD dissertations, whilst he has delivered guest lectures at LSE, UCL, UPV and Westminster, including the delivery of executive education courses to British Government officials and to executives in Vietnam.
University roles and responsibilities
- University of Surrey Living Lab Leader
- Academic Integrity Officer & OSCAR Panel Member
- Research Seminar Series Co-ordinator
My qualifications
Affiliations and memberships
News
In the media
ResearchResearch interests
- Wider impacts of autonomous, automated and electric vehicles
- Managing transport to improve tourist wellbeing
- Data and privacy management policies
- Urban mobility innovation
Research projects
Wider Impacts and Scenario Evaluation of Autonomous and Connected Transport. Role: Chair.
Human centred EVs and AVsIncorporating the human aspect in the design and development of Electric and Autonomous Vehicles. Role: Co-I.
WE-TRANSFORM is a H2020 project focusing on the impact of transport automation on the workforce. Role: WP Leader, Surrey Lead.
Ready2DriveReady2Drive is a HEIF project focusing on the use of technology to support driving and accessibility for the aged. Role: PI.
ESRC-IAA project about co-creating accessible futures through New Mobility Services. Role: PI.
Research interests
- Wider impacts of autonomous, automated and electric vehicles
- Managing transport to improve tourist wellbeing
- Data and privacy management policies
- Urban mobility innovation
Research projects
Wider Impacts and Scenario Evaluation of Autonomous and Connected Transport. Role: Chair.
Incorporating the human aspect in the design and development of Electric and Autonomous Vehicles. Role: Co-I.
WE-TRANSFORM is a H2020 project focusing on the impact of transport automation on the workforce. Role: WP Leader, Surrey Lead.
Ready2Drive is a HEIF project focusing on the use of technology to support driving and accessibility for the aged. Role: PI.
ESRC-IAA project about co-creating accessible futures through New Mobility Services. Role: PI.
Supervision
Postgraduate research supervision
Currently supervising three Post-Graduate Researchers supported by the University of Surrey and Hong-Kong Polytechnic, funded through different sources. Research areas for PhD supervision cover the intersection of transport, tourism, environmental and socio-economic research, with a particular focus on management and policy challenges. Always willing to consider high quality research proposals in these areas linked to my projects and publications by interested PhD applicants.
Teaching
- Travel and Transport (UG)
- Land Transport Systems (UG)
- International Transport Policy and Planning (UG)
- Understanding the Travel and Tourism Industries (UG)
- Strategic Analysis of Hospitality Companies (UG)
- Strategic Management of International Hotel Companies (PG)
- Research Methods (PG)
- Dissertation supervision (PG)