This European Social Fund supported PhD project aimed to understand people’s perceptions of and the barriers towards engaging with information relating to electric vehicles in Cornwall.

The research specifically focused on the public understanding of the environment and health impacts of electric vehicles.

The study used qualitative methods to explore how academics disseminate their studies and findings, how they interact with the intermediaries of knowledge communication, and how this knowledge is received by public audiences.

Its findings highlighted a disparity between academic research and the knowledge entering the public domain.

This disconnect has a link to the way the media, policy makers, NGOs and businesses have spoken about electric vehicles in Cornwall.

Although sophisticated communication techniques – such as infographics and computer games – have been developed to enhance public awareness of climate change science, these seem to be missing from the electric vehicle discussion.

However, the research highlighted how forming networks that involve the public, policy makers, businesses and the media right at the very beginning of academic research might help improve understanding.

The study also discussed how generational shifts might play a role over time, with science engagement becoming more prevalent amongst public audiences and via the education system.