Mentor: Fiona Burlig, Assistant Professor, Harris School of Public Policy
Oscar Barnes is a rising third year seeking a BA in Economics (with a specialization in Data Science) and a BS in Statistics at the College. He served as a research assistant under Assistant Professor Fiona Burlig and Executive Director Olga Rostapshova, contributing to the research initiatives at the Energy & Environment Lab for Summer 2025.
“My internship has provided me with a strong introduction to the field of energy & environmental economics — one of the most preeminent sub-fields within economics concerned with the negative externalities of climate change. My research itself provided me with a good base of understanding for how real-time electricity pricing policies result in greater economic efficiencies (including reductions in negative environmental externalities). The Energy & Environment Lab in particular hosted near-weekly lab meetings, where we had the chance to meet other academics in the field & learn about their research. Finally, this Fellowship in particular broadened my climate research horizons, exposing me to climate policy research outside of economics.”