Joel R. Landry

Joel R. Landry serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Pennsylvania State University. His academic work bridges environmental economics, energy policy, and political economy with a focus on evaluating real-world policy effectiveness.

Dr. Landry's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Economics with Computer Science minor from Cornell University (2014)
• M.S. in Public Policy from University of Maryland at College Park (2007)
• Dual B.A. degrees in Economics and Political Science (both magna cum laude) from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (2003)

His research program centers on the welfare evaluation of imperfect or 'second-best' public policies, particularly those addressing complex societal challenges where policy scale mismatches governance structures. Dr. Landry investigates:

• Uncoordinated climate change mitigation efforts across jurisdictions
• Political economy dynamics of climate policy formation
• Electric power system regulations and transitions
• Biofuel policy impacts and trade-offs
• Urban environmental challenges with health implications

Methodologically, he advances computational multi-market equilibrium models, optimal power flow models, and strategic decision-making frameworks, often integrating economic models with physical and engineering systems.

Dr. Landry's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory examining how pre-existing policies and multiple market failures affect the real-world impacts of new interventions. His work frequently appears in top economics journals including Journal of Public Economics and Energy Economics, as well as interdisciplinary venues like Environmental Science & Technology. A distinctive feature of his research is the integration of political economy considerations with traditional welfare analysis to explain why policies deviate from theoretical ideals.

Dr. Landry has secured over half a million dollars in research funding to support his active program. He has mentored a diverse cohort of undergraduate and graduate students in research activities, maintaining professional relationships with many beyond their academic tenure at Penn State. His teaching portfolio spans Consumer Behavior, Microeconomics, Environmental Economics, Energy Economics, and advanced quantitative methods.

Outside academic pursuits, Dr. Landry enjoys outdoor activities with his family, including his wife, daughter, and two dogs.