Dr Jac McCluskey

Jac's Journey in AAPS: An Alumni Profile

Jac graduated from the University of Bath with a first-class degree in Economics. Prior to joining AAPS, Jac worked as an intern research economist for the Institute for Policy Research (IPR) to help determine the feasibility of operating low-emission buses in Dublin. Moreover, during his time as leader of the sustainable transport Vertically Integrated Project (VIP), Jac helped to produce an "E-Scooter Impact Report" for B&NES Council. The policy proposals derived from this research were later discussed in a meeting with local policy makers.

During his time with the AAPS CDT, Jac became a CFA charter holder, published several papers related to the economics and finance of electric bus fleets, and advised the UK Government's Department for Transport on their Total Cost of Ownership model - a framework which will be used to determine the appropriate end of sale date for diesel buses. In his final year, Jac also undertook an extended policy internship with the DWP, leading the development and deployment of two visualisation dashboards to help coordinate tasks related to the UK Government's "Pathways to Work" green paper and communicate complex outputs related to Universal Credit modelling. Jac has also been involved (at different points in time) in the Conference Planning Committee and Enrichment Committee.

PhD Focus

The focus of this thesis is to research the economic realities and financing requirements of efforts to electrify UK bus fleets, with a particular focus on SME operators who may feel more uncertain and less supported by policymakers. By working closely with a small to medium sized UK electric bus operator we hope to capture the additional complexities and considerations often lost in purely theoretical academic study. Specifically, we use novel methods and real-world data to connect differences in scheduling, vehicle downtime, and financial ratios to their economic cost. It is our aim that research conducted within this thesis will deliver clear guidance to policymakers and bus operators seeking to decarbonise their fleets, while also encouraging future research to consider the issues raised by our analysis.

Looking Forward

Upon leaving the CDT, Jac joined the Department for Education as a Research Economist. Jac envisions a career where he can apply his expertise in economics, policy analysis, and/or financial modelling. Whether in consulting, research, or industry, his goal is to become a specialist in his field and contribute to a better world.

The Reflection on AAPS

Reflecting on his time at AAPS, Jac highlights the diversity of perspectives within the CDT as a major strength. Conversations with peers from different disciplines often challenged his assumptions and broadened his understanding of transport decarbonisation. To Jac, the word “Systems” in AAPS is key, it represents the complexity of the challenge, from optimising individual powertrains to designing services that benefit society.