Dr Julian Wilkinson

Julian’s path to the AAPS CDT was shaped by a deepening concern for climate change and sustainability. After a career as an IT support analyst and programmer in telecommunications and the automotive industry, Julian pivoted toward environmental science, earning a BSc from The Open University and an MSc in Climate Change from Birkbeck College, University of London.

His decision to join the AAPS CDT was driven by its transdisciplinary approach and the collaborative opportunities offered during the MRes year. Julian particularly valued working alongside students from diverse academic backgrounds, which enriched his perspective and broadened his skillset. A pivotal moment came during the Integrated Think Tank with National Express in June 2021, where Julian’s interest in hydrogen as a clean fuel for road transport crystallised into a focused research direction.

PhD Focus

Julian’s PhD research, titled Hydrogen LCA for Large Transport Vehicles, addresses one of the most pressing global challenges: reducing greenhouse gas emissions to prevent a rise in global mean surface temperature beyond 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. With transport-especially large road vehicles- remaining a stubbornly high-emission sector in the UK, Julian’s work explores the potential for hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels (including ammonia as a fuel for shipping) as a viable decarbonisation pathway.

His research aimed to fill critical gaps in existing literature by conducting a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of hydrogen production, storage, and delivery. This included:

• Evaluating a broad range of emerging hydrogen technologies.

• Incorporating diverse environmental indicators beyond global warming potential, and financial cost.

• Using key findings from interviews with 23 subject experts to formulate representative state-of-the-art and future hydrogen supply pathways and scenarios.

• Exploring the sensitivity of results to the varying of key parameters.

Other researchers will be able to use the same underlying life cycle data to replicate the analysis and customise it for their chosen application and geographical location.

Looking Forward

Julian envisions a future where he continues to contribute to sustainable transport, whether through research, consulting, teaching, or a blend of all three. In ten years, he hopes to be in a role that combines intellectual challenge with practical impact, helping to shape a cleaner, more equitable transport system.

When asked what superpower he would choose, Julian said he’d like the ability to influence others—so he could persuade powerful decision-makers to take meaningful action toward a just and sustainable transition.

The Reflection on AAPS

Julian reflects on his time at AAPS with gratitude. He highlights the importance of community, noting that while much of the work is independent, the support and camaraderie among peers have been invaluable. He feels that the programme has broadened his outlook and equipped him to collaborate effectively across disciplines.

To Julian, AAPS means “making transport better for everyone.” His standout learning has been the power of interdisciplinary teamwork and the importance of staying connected and supportive within a research community.