Dr. Joel Blit

Biography

Joel Blit is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Waterloo. His main research interests include innovation economics, innovation policy, and the role of multi-location firms in promoting the flow of knowledge across geographical spaces. He studies the effects of intellectual property rights on innovation, skilled immigration, and how these elements can leverage innovation. His recent work has focused on the economics of artificial intelligence and the transformation of the economy through automation and reallocation, which has been featured in major media outlets such as The Economist, Globe and Mail, and CBC. Before joining the University of Waterloo, Joel was an Assistant Professor of Economics and International Affairs at George Washington University, and he has extensive consulting experience in the financial services sector across Asia, Australia, and North America. His consulting roles have included reorganizing activities for major banks and formulating strategies for startups. In addition to his academic work, Joel advises policymakers on innovation policy and has participated in expert roundtables for the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding intellectual property in trade negotiations. He has been an invited speaker at various venues, including the OECD Global Forum on Productivity. Joel holds multiple academic degrees, including a BASc in Engineering Science from Toronto, a MASc in Computer Engineering from Waterloo, an MBA from INSEAD, an MA in Economics from Western, and a PhD in Economics from Toronto.

Research Interests

Experience