Policy School welcomes Environmental Economist Alaz Munzur as its newest faculty member

The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS) is pleased to welcome Dr. Alaz Munzur (PhD) as an assistant professor at its University of Saskatchewan (USask) campus. Munzur joins us from Simon Fraser University (SFU), where she was an assistant professor teaching climate policy and economic foundations of policy analysis.  

Prior to her time at SFU, Munzur worked as a Research Associate with the Energy and Environmental Policy Research Division at the University of Calgary. Munzur received her PhD in Economics from the University of Calgary in 2019. Having a strong background in conducting trans-disciplinary and applied research, Munzur’s scholarly pursuits converge at the crossroads of international trade, climate and policymaking – and their economic repercussions.  

“We are delighted to welcome Alaz to JSGS,” said Dr. Loleen Berdahl, JSGS Executive Director. “Her research on climate policy will advance both the University of Saskatchewan "Energy and Mineral Resources for a Sustainable Future” and “Sustainability and Communities” Signature Areas of Research, and her inter-disciplinary approach to Canadian environmental policy making will enhance the learning experience for our students.” 

Passionate about climate policy development and implementation, Munzur’s ongoing research includes creating a comprehensive open-access database of climate policies for policy analysis in collaboration with colleagues across Canada and the Canadian Climate Institute. “My interest has recently been centered on exploring the potential of spatial modeling in addressing Canadian public policy questions,” Munzur said. 

“JSGS offers a highly dynamic environment,” said Munzur. “I look forward to studying this ever-evolving world and create a positive impact.”  

In addition to her strong academic record, Munzur has also been actively engaged with various federal, provincial, and territorial governments, contributing to public policy areas pertaining to the environment. 

Outside of the classroom, Munzur likes to spend her time expanding her knowledge across a range of disciplines, including economic history, political geography, and the latest technologies.