Oscar Zapata

Dr. Oscar Zapata is an Assistant Professor at the School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS) at the University of Saskatchewan, holding the Centennial Chair in Community Energy Development. He is based in Room 332, Kirk Hall and can be reached at oscar.zapata@usask.ca. His research focuses on socio-economic impacts of energy development and the interplay between individual behavior and economic outcomes in the context of climate change.

Dr. Zapata holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics from the University of Calgary, complemented by a Master of Science in Economics from the same institution and a Master of Science in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University.

His research interests include understanding how energy development affects low-income populations, analyzing the distributional effects of climate-related policies, and exploring sustainable practices in bioresource waste management. He employs interdisciplinary approaches, integrating economics, environmental science, and systems thinking to address contemporary sustainability challenges.

In terms of recognition, Dr. Zapata holds the prestigious Centennial Chair position, underscoring his contributions to community energy development research. His work has contributed to policy discussions on renewable energy adoption in Indigenous communities and the mitigation of climate change impacts on vulnerable populations.

Dr. Zapata’s research has been published in leading journals, focusing on themes such as renewable energy’s role in well-being, the socio-economic dimensions of climate disasters, and circular economy strategies. He actively engages in collaborative projects addressing sustainability in Arctic regions and the equitable distribution of environmental resources.