Blake Shaffer

Blake Shaffer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics and the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary. His research focuses on electricity markets, climate policy, and energy transitions, with a particular emphasis on evaluating policy effectiveness and consumer behavior. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Calgary, an MPhil from the University of Cambridge, and a BSc in Environmental Sciences from Queen’s University. Prior to academia, he spent 15 years in energy trading, specializing in electricity, natural gas, and emissions markets.

Education:

• PhD in Economics, University of Calgary (2018)
• MPhil in Economics, University of Cambridge (2003)
• BSc (Honours) in Environmental Sciences, Queen’s University (2000)

Research Interests: Electricity markets, climate policy, energy transitions, renewable energy integration, and the economic impacts of environmental regulations. His work bridges empirical analysis with policy design, aiming to inform decision-makers on sustainable energy strategies.

Awards & Grants:

• Natural Resources Canada Grant (2025–2029) for energy modeling capacities
• Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholar (2019), Stanford University
• Multiple SSHRC and NSERC grants for studies on EV policy and energy storage

Policy Roles: Advisor to governments of Alberta, British Columbia, and Canada on energy and climate policy. Co-founder of the Net Zero Electricity Research Initiative and co-director of the Energy Modelling Hub.

Labs & Teams: Involved in initiatives like the Energy Modelling Hub and the Creative Destruction Lab, focusing on innovation in clean energy and policy analysis.