Research Consultant & Economist
A bold and rigorous thinker dedicated to inclusion – economically, socially, and culturally.
Services
working with teams to push the frontier of what we think is possible
Research design and management
Collaborating with clients to chose the right research questions, select the best methodologies, and execute on research plans.
Cultivating spaces for creativity and excellence
Building inclusive and collaborative spaces for team members, workshop participants, and learners where people share and refine ideas.
Knowledge translation and communication
Transforming research findings into relevant insights, through public speaking, media commentary, and other knowledge products.
I am passionate about working with teams that have a bold and innovative vision, which is why in 2020 I co-founded and was the senior economist for Vivic Research, and economic consulting firm serving advocates, think tanks, governments, labour unions, and other agents engaged in the development of public policy. I am also a co-founder and board member of the Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project (CAMP), a think tank advocating for policy conducive to a more equitable and democratic economy.
I offer subject matter expertise in the areas of quantitative research methods for public policy analysis (like government program microsimulation), competition law and policy, and economic inclusion (such as the OECD’s framework on inclusive growth).
A common thread through all my work is my dedication to improving economic and social inclusion. In 2021 I was a recipient of the Globe and Mail’s Changemakers Award where I was acknowledged for my efforts to advance public policy centered on advancing social justice through Vivic Research and my academic work on competition policy.
As a researcher, I’m anchored in my training as an economist and my specialization in quantitative methodologies for public policy research. But I also take a multidisciplinary approach, blending quantitative and qualitative insights and drawing from theories and frameworks in sociology, program evaluation, and other fields.
Blog posts
- Critically examining redistribution claims in competition policyFor over half a century, competition law thinkers in Canada and elsewhere have made the argument that competition law should not be designed with the purpose of ensuring a fair and equitable distribution of economic resources. In plainer terms, theContinue reading “Critically examining redistribution claims in competition policy”
- Gaps in Abuse of Dominance: Amazon and the need for exploitation concept in the Competition ActIn this post I want to riff on some ideas I have inspired by some recent conversations at the INDU parliamentary committee, abuse of dominance, and the Bureau’s investigation into Amazon. My inspiration On May 6, Vass Bednar and DeniseContinue reading “Gaps in Abuse of Dominance: Amazon and the need for exploitation concept in the Competition Act”
Robin Shaban Personal Site 