Download BEATS Final Report

The Built Environment and Active Transport to School (BEATS) Research Programme was founded and led by Dr Sandra Mandic during the 2013-2023 period. The programme officially closed in September 2023.

This award-winning, interdisciplinary and cross-sector research programme focused on examining adolescents’ travel to school. The programme was designed to advance scientific knowledge and provide service to the government, local community and schools.


Final report: The BEATS Research Programme 2013-2023 – The Power of Vision, Teamwork, Perseverance and Project Management

BEATS Research Programme characteristics

  • A collaboration between Dunedin Secondary Schools’ Partnership, Dunedin City Council, University of Otago and Auckland University of Technology
  • Involved investigators and collaborators from multiple disciplines and countries and advisory board members from the local community and trained a number of research students, research assistants and volunteers
  • Supported with over NZD $1.5 million in research funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, National Heart Foundation, Lottery Health Research, Dunedin City Council and internal funding from University of Otago

The BEATS Research Programme deliverables

  • 46 scientific journal articles published / accepted
  • 162 conference abstracts
  • 57 technical reports
  • 4 conference proceedings / abstract booklets
  • 37 Academic research seminar presentations
  • 69 Presentations for stakeholders, policy makers and professionals
  • 6 BEATS Symposia
  • 2 International TALES Symposia
  • 56 Media reports
  • 3 Doctoral students
  • 5 Master’s students
  • 1 Postgraduate diplima student
  • 4 Honours students
  • 6 Summer research students
  • 3 International internship students

Research Impact

The findings from the BEATS Research have:

  • Provided valuable information for schools, city councils, transport agencies and land planners
  • Suggested potential ways to encourage students’ active transport to school and increase physical activity levels in adolescents
  • Are helping inform future interventions for built environment change, education campaigns, school policy development and city/regional policy development

Acknowledgments

A massive thank-you to all incredible team members who joined us on the epic 10+ year BEATS Research journey for a phenomenal teamwork, learning together and from each other and all laughter and positive energy shared along the way (and thousands of photos!). On behalf of the entire BEATS Research Team, a big thank-you to many others who have supported us on our journey.

Key BEATS Research Team members in 2022-2023

A Note from the Founder and the Principal Investigator: Dr Sandra Mandic

For me personally, the BEATS Research Programme has been by far the most rewarding, exciting and challenging professional endeavour that I have ever been part of – and in this case the one I had the vision for, founded, nurtured, grew, managed and led – from the first to the last day. The Compass Guide books linking research and project management that I have published since 2021 are part of my attempts to share some of many learnings from the BEATS Research journey to help others set up and lead their research endeavours. I am sure the insights from BEATS will continue trickling through my current and future professional activities for many years to come. The BEATS Research Programme and the BEATS Team members will always have a special place in my heart – so many incredible insights, memories and friendships to be cherished for a lifetime!

Dr Sandra Mandic, PhD, PMP, BEATS Research Programme Founder and Principal Investigator

The BEATS Research Programme officially closed on 30 September 2023.

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For all queries about the BEATS Research Programme and its research publications, contact Dr Sandra Mandic at agile.research.nz@gmail.com.