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PhD student improving rail travel for people with sight loss wins Coventry University’s ‘Three Minute Thesis’ Competition 2025
Emily Nash
Friday 16 May 2025
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Emily Nash, a PhD researcher exploring how to make rail travel more accessible for people with sight loss, has won Coventry University’s ‘Three Minute Thesis’ (3MT®) competition 2025.
The annual competition invites nominated PhD students to explain their research and its impacts in just three minutes, with presentations judged by a panel on how well the work is communicated to a general audience.
Emily, who is based in the University’s National Transport Design Centre, impressed judges with her presentation on the everyday challenges experienced by blind and partially sighted people when using the UK’s rail network – and what can be done to enable more independent, spontaneous travel.
Emily’s research investigates how limited access to information, unreliable public transport facilities and insufficient levels of support from staff can make it hard for people with sight loss to travel on their own.
As part of her PhD, Emily interviewed 26 people with sight loss, focusing on how environmental, informational and social factors influence their ability to travel by train. She uncovered the need for clearer journey information, more consistent support at stations and transport design changes that would reduce the need for intensive pre-planning.
Emily combines her expertise in human factors and physiotherapy with personal insights from her lived experience of severe sight loss and as a guide dog user.
I am so proud to have won this year’s competition and so grateful for the support given to me and my research by my supervisors, judges and audience members. I wanted to share why I believe my research can and will make a real difference to the everyday lives of the ever-growing number of people being diagnosed with sight loss in the UK.
Emily Nash, Winner of Coventry University's Three-Minute Thesis Competition 2025
I’m thrilled that Emily has won this prestigious competition; it reflects not only the research excellence that she brings to her work, but also its impactful nature. Emily has conveyed this in an accessible and compelling way that really brings the topic to life.
Professor Paul Herriotts, Director of Studies, National Transport Design Centre
We are absolutely delighted that our PhD candidate, Emily Nash, has won the Three Minute Thesis competition. Accessing rail services represent a significant barrier for people with sight loss. Emily’s work is enabling people with visual impairments to share their perspectives - ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and accessible rail experience for all. Emily’s research is both impactful and timely, and it’s fantastic to see her work recognised in this way.
Dr Arun Ulahannan, Co-Supervisor, Research Centre for Future Transport and Cities
Originating in Australia, the 3MT® competition is now run by more than 900 institutions across 85 countries.
Emily will represent Coventry University at the 3MT® national final this autumn, joining winners from other participating universities across the UK.
The nominees from this year’s competition included:
Megan Bedford - Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience
Ahmed Khafaga - Centre for Manufacturing and Materials
Nbuwak Yashim - Centre for Agroecology Water and Resilience
Indah Suryani - Centre for Financial and Corporate Integrity
Helen Bates - Centre for Arts, Memory and Communities
Rija Bobby - Centre for Global Learning
Explore PhD opportunities at Coventry University.
