Paasha Mahdavi

Paasha Mahdavi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His research examines the impact of oil and gas resources on governance and environmental politics, focusing on firm strategies and government policies for climate change mitigation. He holds affiliate positions with the Bren School of Environment.

Education:

• PhD, Political Science, UCLA
• MS, Statistics, UCLA
• MA, Political Science, UCLA
• MA, International Policy, Stanford University
• BA, Economics, Columbia University

Mahdavi's research centers on energy governance, fossil fuel subsidies, and climate policy design. His work analyzes how governments and corporations navigate the political economy of energy transitions, with particular focus on policy implementation challenges in resource-dependent economies.

His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on fossil fuel subsidy reforms, energy taxation policies, and corporate climate strategies. Recent work examines the political fragility of subsidy reforms post-Paris Agreement and the role of national oil companies in energy transitions.

Awards & Fellowships:

• Non-resident Fellow, Initiative for Sustainable Energy Policy
• Non-resident Fellow, Payne Institute
• Fellow, World Economic Forum
• Term Member, Council on Foreign Relations