Joel Hicks

Joel Hicks is a Lecturer at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center, Johns Hopkins University, where he teaches courses in Energy Policy, Environmental Studies, and GIS. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, focusing on energy and public policy. A retired U.S. Navy Commander, he was the first Naval Officer to lead a joint operational space command and held roles in submarine warfare and defense space acquisition.

• PhD in Public Policy from George Mason University
• MS in Electrical Engineering from Naval Postgraduate School
• MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from Naval War College
• MA in International Science and Technology Policy from The George Washington University
• BS in Electrical Engineering from The George Washington University

Hicks’ research integrates behavioral economics, energy governance, and space policy, with a focus on demand-side management and energy efficiency. His work applies prospect theory to energy consumption behavior and explores public sector institutions shaping energy policy.

As Deputy Director of the Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) and a reviewer for peer-reviewed journals, Hicks bridges energy and space policy domains. He currently chairs the Climate Action Commission for Carlisle Borough, PA, while teaching graduate courses like 'International Issues in Energy Policy' and 'Science, Technology, and Energy Policy' at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.