Joel Blit

Joel Blit is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics and Chair of the Council on Innovation Policy and Strategy at the University of Waterloo. Before joining the University of Waterloo, he was an Assistant Professor of Economics and International Affairs at George Washington University.

Dr. Blit’s research focuses on innovation economics and innovation policy. He studies the role that multi-location firms play in promoting the flow of knowledge across geographical space, the effect that intellectual property rights (patents) have on innovation, and whether skilled immigration can be leveraged to foster innovation.

He regularly advises policy makers and industry leaders on artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of work. His framework for thinking about the coming AI revolution has been influential in several areas and was adopted by a multibillion-dollar financial firm as the foundation of its AI strategy.

Dr. Blit has also worked as a business consultant for financial services organizations in Asia, Australia, and North America. His consultancy work included reorganizing the activities of a major bank and developing a strategy for a $100 million startup.

He holds a master’s degree in economics from Western University and PhD in Economics from the University of Toronto.

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