EMBARQ Announces 2013 Lee Schipper Memorial Scholarship Recipients

The scholarship was created by the Schipper Family and EMBARQ, with cooperation from leading scholars and policy makers, and is made possible from donations from individual donors as well as from an instrumental grant from the Shell Foundation.

EMBARQ and the Lee Schipper family are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2013 Lee Schipper Memorial Scholarship. The sustainable transport scholarship has been awarded to Sudhir Gota and to Fei Li to finance their research in advancing bold solutions to improve transport quality in cities. The scholarship was established in 2012 to celebrate the vision and bold challenges to conventional wisdom that EMBARQ founder and recognized researcher Lee Schipper contributed to the field of sustainable transport and energy efficiency. This is the first year the scholarship is being awarded. Mr. Gota will be examining the current ASIF framework in Asia that provides a way to understand the components of transportation energy use, which was initially developed by Schipper. Ms. Li will be examining the effect of the current parking standard to provide policy recommendations for more efficient and sustainable planning regulations. She will use London as a case study, the results from which can then be translated to other cities around the world.

A total of 114 applications were submitted from 34 different countries. After careful review from an evaluation committee, 9 finalists were selected to submit a more in-depth proposal and timeline. From the finalists, the evaluation committee selected 2 recipients who were then approved by the selection board, composed of Sam Zimmerman from the World Bank, Nancy Kete from The Rockefeller Foundation, Mr. Sundar from The Energy and Resources Institute, Judith Pollock from the Shell Foundation, Holger Dalkmann from EMBARQ, and Ramon-Munoz-Raskin of the Schipper family.

“We are very impressed with the astounding response of 114 research applications with excellent ideas from young, entrepreneurial researchers from all over the world” says the Schipper family. “We congratulate the Scholarship Board and EMBARQ for their excellent job in evaluating the applications and selecting the two first ever awardees Sudhir Gota and Fe Li. We are delighted to see that the winners’ research approaches will challenge conventional wisdom, just like Lee’s research did. We look forward to the results of their hard work which will continue the momentum of Lee’s contributions."

“Lee Schipper’s unique insight was key to informing Shell Foundation’s decision to co-found EMBARQ,” says Judith Pollock, United Kingdom Deputy Director of the Shell Foundation. “Lee combined a deep analytical understanding of energy and transport issues with a pragmatic approach to delivering real change in developing country cities. Shell Foundation are delighted to support his memorial scholarship to fund work with similarly transformative potential and congratulate Sudhir Gota and Fei Li as the first recipients.”   

“I am pleased to see the 2013 scholarship go to two researchers aligned with EMBARQ’s mission of catalyzing sustainable transport and urban development solutions to improve the quality of life in cities” said Holger Dalkmann, Director of the World Resources Institute program for sustainable transport and urban planning, EMBARQ. “We want the next generation to embrace a bold vision for a future where cities are for people not cars.”

The Lee Schipper legacy

Lee Schipper dedicated his professional life to the efficient use of energy in mobility. The bold challenges to conventional wisdom he contributed to the field of energy efficiency were priceless, and this scholarship not only celebrates his unique vision but helps propel those who are carrying on his work. By supporting individuals who are continuing Lee’s work of the enrichment of international policy dialogue in the fields of sustainable transport and energy efficiency, we can ensure that the effort toward creating a more sustainable future keeps, and gains, momentum.

About the Scholarship

The scholarship awards two extraordinary candidates up to US$10,000 each to advance transformative research in efficient and sustainable transport. Winning proposals will advance the field through iconoclastic contributions to data collection, problem diagnosis through data evaluation, policy analysis stemming through this evaluation and a comparative analysis across disciplines and international boundaries. The scholarship is international in nature, and is open to researchers and students of all national origins and fields.

About Dr. Lee Schipper

Dr. Lee Schipper was an international physicist, researcher and musician who co-founded EMBARQ in 2002. Under his direction, EMBARQ expanded into Mexico, China, India and beyond as he pushed to incorporate data driven solutions to meet transport challenges. Dr. Schipper passed away in 2011. His influence reached across the globe as he participated in panels, studies, acted as an advisor and consultant, and served on the board of several institutions. He inspired and shaped the thinking of a generation of students and professionals, and was widely recognized for challenging conventional wisdoms within the field of sustainable transport. In addition to his work, Dr. Schipper was known for his energy, charm, endless curiosity and interests ranging from history to art to music.

For more information about the Dr. Schipper and the Lee Schipper Memorial Scholarship, please visit the scholarship’s website, developed by EMBARQ.