Kajal Kumar, MRes, MSc

Ms. Kumar has worked with public and private sector clients to design large scale monitoring and evaluation programs in the UK. This includes developing the econometric methodology to evaluate the impact of the Elizabeth line and designing the quantitative methodology for the UK Freeports monitoring and evaluation program. Additionally, she acted as a technical advisor and reviewed the DfT’s methodology for implementing distributional weights in UK transport appraisal.

Ms. Kumar believes everyone should have access to well-connected cities and collaborates with governments to help make that a reality. She has substantial experience advising clients on the impact of new infrastructure schemes and the potential for investment. Ms. Kumar enjoys working with clients to break down complex concepts. Notably, she has supported a ministry in the Middle East in enhancing its economic impact assessment capabilities by developing frameworks and delivering workshops.

Ms. Kumar also provides expertise in microeconomics. Her previous research looked at the determinants of educational mismatch and differential returns to education in the UK. She has also advised clients on topics such as net zero and the impact of electric vehicles and has modelled demand for commodities as we enter a sustainability focused era.

Prior to joining NERA, Ms. Kumar was a senior economist, where she led evaluation projects in the city economics team. She also spent four years in the commodity industry, consulting major aluminum producers on the impact of the electric vehicle transition. Ms. Kumar has also worked as an economic researcher at various economics departments across Europe and the US, including UCL, QMUL, Bank of Spain (CEMFI), and University of California, Berkeley.

Ms. Kumar is certified by APMG International for ‘Better Business Cases’ Foundation level. She is a member of the Society of Professional Economists (SPE).