Dave Turk

Dave Turk serves as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP). Previously, he held the position of Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy from March 2021 to January 2025, where he functioned as the Chief Operating Officer of the $50 billion organization overseeing energy, basic science, and nuclear security initiatives.

His research interests center on global energy transitions and policy implementation. Turk has played pivotal roles in advancing clean energy innovation through initiatives like Mission Innovation and Energy Earthshots. His work spans international energy governance frameworks, with significant contributions to G7, G20, IEA, and IAEA discussions on climate policy coordination.

Turk's recent publications analyze critical energy policy developments including Climate Week outcomes, electricity pricing trends, and implementation challenges of major climate legislation. His scholarship focuses on the intersection of energy markets, policy effectiveness, and geopolitical considerations in the clean energy transition.

Turk previously served as Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency and held multiple senior positions across the Obama-Biden Administration, including roles at the National Security Council and State Department. His career demonstrates deep expertise in bridging technical energy analysis with high-level policy implementation across governmental and international institutions.