Blake Shaffer is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Calgary where he teaches and researches on electricity markets, climate policy, and energy transitions. Shaffer uses empirical methods to evaluate policy effectiveness and better understand consumer and firm behaviour. Shaffer strives to bring rigorous evidence to help policy makers craft better policy.

Prior to returning to academia, Shaffer had a 15 year career in energy trading, specializing in electricity, natural gas and emissions markets. He received his PhD in economics from the University of Calgary, Master of Philosophy in economics from the University of Cambridge and a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences from Queen’s University. Shaffer recently held visiting scholar and Fulbright postdoctoral scholar positions at the Toulouse School of Economics and Stanford University.

Shaffer’s recent research has been published in Nature, American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Public Policy, Energy Economics, and the Energy Journal. His popular writing has appeared in the Globe and Mail, Maclean’s, CBC, and other media outlets. Shaffer is frequently asked to provide policy advisor services for governments at various levels on energy and environmental policy matters.

The American Economic Association encourages its members to openly provide a disclosure statement. Shaffer’s can be found here.

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