Dr. Joel Blit

Biography

Joel Blit is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Waterloo. His primary research interests include innovation economics, innovation policy, the role of multi-location firms in promoting knowledge flow, and the effects of intellectual property rights on innovation. He has also conducted significant research on skilled immigration and international trade. Blit’s recent work has focused on the economics of artificial intelligence and the transformations brought about by COVID-19 in the economy and automation. His insights have been featured in numerous media outlets, including The Economist, Globe and Mail, and CBC. Before joining Waterloo, Blit served as an Assistant Professor of Economics and International Affairs at George Washington University, where he was also a business consultant for financial services firms across Asia, Australia, and North America. His consulting engagements included reorganizing major bank activities and formulating strategies for a $100 million startup. He frequently advises policymakers on innovation policy and has participated in expert roundtables, advising the Minister of Foreign Affairs on intellectual property concerns during USMCA trade negotiations. Blit's expertise in automation and the future of work led to invitations as a speaker at various prominent venues, including the OECD Global Forum on Productivity.

Research Interests

Experience