• Dmitry Leshkov

  • Theme:Transport, Behaviour and Society
  • Project:Designing Inclusive MaaS for Neurodivergent Populations
  • Supervisor: Elies Dekoninck ,Meng Meng
  • The Gorgon's Head - Bath University Logo

Bio

Dmitry graduated from the University of Bath with a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science with Business in 2018, followed by a MSc in Innovation and Technology Management in 2019. As a student, he has completed data and technology-driven modules as an undergraduate computer scientist and has undertaken a unique postgraduate course, which bridged the gap between management and engineering disciplines. He had been involved in numerous multidisciplinary project teams and gained experience in project, change and risk management as well as explored sustainability issues and proposed solutions to outstanding engineering management problems.

Outside of university, Dmitry has a decade-long professional experience in Social Care as well as a number of years of working in business administration. He is excited to work on innovative projects that will have a positive impact on the automotive sector, its customers and the environment. He is also excited by the opportunity to learn from industry experts from an early stage in his career because it will equip him with the most relevant knowledge and skills.

His project is focused on formulating design considerations for inclusive and accessible Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) systems targeting neurodivergent populations, therefore leveraging his interdisciplinary professional and academic experience.

FunFacts

  • I can make sushi better than average Japanese according to my numerous friends from the Land of the Rising Sun.
  • Upon my relocation to the UK, I spent a year as a residential volunteer in a school for children with learning difficulties in Aberdeen.
  • I lived in two countries that left the union - USSR/Latvia and EU/UK.
  • Since 2009, I lived in 7 different cities around the UK.

Designing Inclusive MaaS for Neurodivergent Populations

The research focuses on inclusive design for emerging Mobility as a Service (MaaS) systems, targeting neurodivergent populations with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia. Individuals with these cognitive differences are part of the broader spectrum of neurodiversity and represent an estimated 15% of the global population.

Existing MaaS systems integrate multiple mobility solutions into one platform and involve a complex network of stakeholders. Despite of this complexity, these platforms overlook the unique requirements of users with diverse cognitive profiles. Moreover, these design needs of these demographics are underexplored in academic community across disciplines. This oversight not only impacts user adoption, but also aggravates social inequalities.

In collaboration with multidisciplinary team of experts, and through co-designing with neurodivergent individuals, this research aims to identify unmet needs of target public mobility users, develop system prototypes, conduct empirical testing, and propose tailored design recommendations for inclusive MaaS. 

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