Oscar Zapata

Biographie

I am an assistant professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Regina. Before coming to Regina, I completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in field experiments and pubic engagement in the School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP) at the University of British Columbia (UBC). I obtained a PhD degree and a Master’s degree in Economics at the University of Calgary, and a Master’s degree in Sustainable International Development at Brandeis University (MA, USA). My fields of specialization include environmental economics, behavioral and experimental economics, and applied econometrics, with specific emphasis in the economics of water and climate change, and social inequalities. At PhiLab, my contribution consists of quantitative analysis to study the role of the philanthropy sector and their impact on social inequalities and environmental challenges.

Publications

Turning to God in tough times? Human versus material losses from climate disasters in Canada. Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, 2(3): 259-281. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41885-018-0029-2 (2018)

Industrial wastewater treatment and reuse in a developing country context: Evidence at the firm level from Ecuador. Water Economics and Policy, 4(2): 1750005. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/S2382624X17500059 (2018)

More water please, it’s getting hot! The effect of climate on residential water demand. Water Economics and Policy, 1(3): 1550007. https://doi.org/10.1142/S2382624X15500071 (2015)

Oxoby, R and O Zapata. 2015. Coase Theorem, Property Rights and Endowment Effect. In: Real World Decision Making: An Encyclopedia of Behavioral Economics. M Altman, editor. Santa Barbara:Praeger

Oxoby, R and O Zapata. 2015. Elinor Ostrom. In: Real World Decision Making: An Encyclopedia of Behavioral Economics. M Altman, editor. Santa Barbara:Praeger

The role of community and individuals in the formation of social capital. Human Ecology 35(6):709-721 (with R Godoy, V Reyes-García, T Huanca, WR Leonard, RG Olvera, J Bauchet, Z Ma, J St John, M Miodowski, V Vadez, C Seyfreid) (2007)

Income inequality and deforestation: Evidence from a small-scale, pre-industrial society in the Bolivian Amazon. TAPS – Working Paper. Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University. Waltham, MA, USA (with V Vadez, R Godoy, V Reyes-García, T Huanca, WR Leonard) (2005)

Prix et Distinctions

  • Queen Elizabeth II Doctoral Scholarship – Three consecutive periods: 2013, 2014, 2015
  • Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship – MA in economics. 2010 – 2011
  • Hewlett Foundation Scholarship – J-PAL: Evaluating Social Programs, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). May 2008
  • World Wildlife Fund Scholarship Program “Education for Nature 2006” for the Beahrs Program (ELP), University of California in Berkeley. June-July 2006
  • Japan/Inter-American Development Bank Scholarship Program Award, 2004
  • Inter-American Development Bank. Japan-IDB Scholarship, 2002-2004 for master’s studies in Sustainable International Development, Brandeis University

Divers

I enjoy going outdoors, travelling, and watching movies with my wife and kids. I also enjoy listening to classical music and playing the harp. Regarding sports, I like to play soccer and tennis.