Public Policy at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy | University of Toronto

At the beginning of the course, participants will be introduced to the basics of economic thinking that can be applied to policy analysis and decision-making. The class will then review a case study that highlights the on-the-ground issue of policy-making with economic principles.

This seminar does not assume a technical background, however, participants should have significant policy experience to inform their participation in-group discussions. Though the seminar capitalizes on early childhood education, environmental protection and gender differences in the labour market, it is not targeted at practitioners who engage with those portfolios. Rather, it applies economic theory and tools to three popular areas of social policy in an accessible way that allows for shared classroom learning.

Classes are limited to 40 participants each and are offered on campus at the University of Toronto. A certificate of completion is offered directly following the course.

INSTRUCTORS

Dr. Michael Baker
Michael Baker is a Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Toronto. He is also the Academic Director of the Toronto Region Statistics Canada Research Data and a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research. His current research focus is on how economic decisions affect the development trajectories of young children. He has also completed research on gender differences in economic outcomes, aging, immigration and labour market standards. In the past year he delivered the 2011 Innis Lecture, “Universal Early Childhood Interventions: What is the Evidence Base”, at the Canadian Economics Association annual meetings. Professor Baker received his B. Commerce from the University of Toronto, his M.A. from York University and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Donald Dewees
Donald Dewees is a Professor Emeritus of Economics and of Law at the University of Toronto. He holds an engineering degree from Swarthmore College, an LLB from Harvard and a PhD in Economics from Harvard. He served as Director of Research for the Ontario Royal Commission on Asbestos, as Vice-Dean and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science of the University of Toronto and as Interim Chair of Economics. During 1998 he served as the Vice-Chair of the Ontario Market Design Committee, which advised the government on the introduction of competition into the electricity market in Ontario.

Professor Dewees’ principal research and teaching interests include Law and Economics, Environmental Economics and Environmental Law. His publications include five books principally in the environmental area and many journal articles in both economics and law. His recent research includes studies of the design of transferable permits for pollution control and environmental and pricing issues related to electricity.

*A minimum 15 registrants are required for the session to proceed as scheduled.