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PhD student making public transport safer for women and girls wins Coventry University’s Postgraduate Researcher of the Year Award 2025
Angelika Berg
Thursday 08 May 2025
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Angelika Berg, a PhD student investigating gender-based harassment on public transport, has been named Coventry University’s Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) of the Year 2025.
Angelika was one of eight doctoral candidates selected from across the university to take part in the annual PGR of the Year competition, which involved delivering a 10-minute research presentation and receiving evaluations on the impact of their work from a panel of judges.
Based jointly in the university’s Research Centres for Future Transport and Cities and Healthcare and Communities, Angelika explores how harassment on public transport has become normalised - and how this can be challenged through inclusive campaigns and education.
Originally from Germany, Angelika holds a Master’s in Political Science from Heidelberg University and moved to the UK in 2024 to begin her PhD.
As part of her PhD, Angelika set up the MoveEqual project, which brings together two groups: an advisory group made up of police officers, transport staff and campaigners, and a lived experience group including women and gender-diverse people who use public transport.
The aim is to ensure the research reflects real experiences and involves those affected by harassment in shaping the solutions. In the long-term, Angelika hopes her work will influence local and national policy, helping to ensure that public awareness campaigns and safety measures are inclusive, accessible and effective.
I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition and for the opportunity to work on a topic that matters so much to me. Harassment in public spaces is often minimised, yet it shapes how women and girls move through the world every day. I’m committed to working alongside communities and professionals to create change that is reflective of lived realities. I’m lucky to have an amazing supervisory team supporting and encouraging me on this journey.
Angelika Berg, PGR of the Year 2025
Angelika’s achievements have been nothing short of incredible. Sexual harassment on public transport has become shockingly normalised and sadly accepted as just the way things are. In the short time since starting at Coventry, Angelika has made significant strides to change this, bringing together a lived experience and stakeholder group to guide her PhD and engaging with external partners to deliver impact. We are very proud of her work and are delighted that her efforts have been recognised with PGR of the Year.
Dr Arun Ulahannan, Director of Studies, Research Centre for Future Transport and Cities
Angelika’s passion and dedication to improving safety for women and girls on public transport is an inspiration. We are proud of her commitment at this early stage of her PhD to ensuring that the research is authentically shaped by key stakeholders and individuals with lived experience. It is a privilege to be supporting Angelika on her PhD journey and we look forward to seeing how this innovative research will lead to real-world impacts for women and girls and for the transport sector.
Dr Grace Carter, Co-Supervisor, Research Centre for Healthcare and Communities
The nominees for this year’s competition included:
- Greta Gauhe – Centre for Dance Research
- Jaimz Winter – Centre for Postdigital Cultures
- Mehran Afra – Centre for E-Mobility and Clean Growth
- Mohamed Mehiaoui – Centre for Peace and Security
- Nbuwak Yashim – Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience
- Sarah West – Centre for Healthcare and Communities
- Will Pattison – Centre for Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Sciences
Hosted by the university’s Doctoral and Researcher College, the competition is part of the Research Capability and Development Conference, which celebrates the work and achievements of postgraduate researchers.
The MoveEqual groups remain open to new members. Those interested in joining the Lived Experience Group can find further information and register their interest here.
Explore PhD opportunities at Coventry University.
