Meet The Team
Margot Hurlbert
Principal Investigator
PhD, LLB, LLM, BAdmin
Dr. Margot Hurlbert is Canada Research Chair in Climate Change, Energy and Sustainability Policy and a Professor at Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Regina. She is a lawyer (LLB, LLM) with a Ph.D. from the University of Amsterdam, and a Bachelor in Administration from the University of Regina, SK, Canada. Her research focus is on governance, climate change, energy, and water, and is a senior scientist with Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, Germany.
Asmita Bhardwaj
Project Lead
PhD
Dr. Asmita Bhardwaj is pursuing a graduate degree in Public Policy at Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Regina, SK, Canada, has a doctorate from Cornell University, US, and a Bachelors in Planning from School of Planning and Architecture, India. She has worked with leading institutions like International Institute of Sustainable Development, Canada on United Nations Assignments in multiple countries in Africa, Middle East, America and Europe, and Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, Germany. She has research interests in urban planning, rural affairs, and international development.
Parvin Yazdanparast
Researcher
MPA
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Parvin Yazdanparast is a Master of Public Administration candidate in Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, has an Engineering Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health Engineering from Iran. Parvin has worked as Policy Intern with the Government of Saskatchewan, served as a Board member in Regina Public Interest Research Group (RPIRG), and worked in various capacities with University of Regina including in the President’s office.
Mehrdad Safaei
Web Designer
Data Analyst
MPP
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Mehrdad Safaei is a policy analyst specialised in data and artificial intelligence at the Indigenous Services Canada, Government of Canada. They also work as a research assistant at Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and McGill University. Their recent research includes investigating the capability of artificial intelligence to generate plausible, persuasive, and useful policy analysis and performing Twitter sentiment analysis for "Attributions of Blame and Credit in Policy-Making". Mehrdad's areas of expertise are AI, ML, smart cities, evidence-based decision-making, data analysis, technology and innovation policy, open government, and digital government.
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Faheem Khan
Researcher
MPA
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Faheem Khan is a is pursuing Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Regina, and has a Masters in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Bangladesh. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from PMI, USA. He has worked in various international and national organizations such as BRAC, Save the Children, Asia Foundation, and BBC International on themes like fund raising, capacity building of public/private enterprises, investment climate assessment, local economic governance and infrastructure.
Jordan d’Almeida
Researcher
MPA
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Jordan d'Almeida holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the University of Regina as well as a master’s degree in public administration from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Administration. He is leader in the non-profit charity space, directing the Oasis Church in North Central Regina.
Tolu Bolaji
Researcher
MPA
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Tolu Bolaji holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Babcock University, Nigeria.He is a recent graduate from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, at the University of Regina, where he obtained both a Master’s certificate in Public Policy Analysis and, Master of Public Administration respectively. Tolu has over 5 years of experience working in both the private and public sectors in the Western part of Africa, Nigeria.
Reed Langen
Researcher
MPP
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Reed Langen(he/him) is a Masters of Public Policy candidate at the Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy. He is from Regina, Saskatchewan where all his also lives. He has a big family. He holds a Bachelors of Arts in English Literature from the University of Victoria. After working in book publishing and arts advocacy in the non-profit sector, he joined the Sask BMP team to study water governance.
Nimisha Singla
MITACS Intern
MITACS Intern
Nimisha Singla is a MITACS intern and a 2 nd year undergraduate student Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India. She has held positions such as Environmental Tech Head, Society for Civil and Environmental Engineers, DTU, Teach For Green, Delhi and Uttarakhand, India, and has held volunteer positions like India at COVID. She also dances Bharatnatyam, and engages in creative writing.
Alida Salman
Researcher
MPP
Alida Salman is a Masters of Public Policy candidate at the Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy. She has a Masters in Public Administration from University of Malaya, and a Bachelors degree in Economics from Tishreen University, Syria. She has worked with the Ministry of Finance, Government of Saskatewan, University of Regina, and Tishreen University.
Joshua Baker
Researcher
BA
Joshua Baker has a Bachelor of Arts – in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of Regina.He also has a certificate in sustainability from the U of R. He has worked as a Campaign Canvasser for Saskewan National Democratic Party and University of Regina a Researcher.
Stephanie Bacsu
Researcher
Masters in Water Security
Stephanie Bacsu has a Masters in Water Security and a Bachelors degree from University of Saskatchewan.
Harry Watts
MITACS Intern
MITACS Intern
Harry Watts is a 2nd Year Geography Undergraduate studying at Bath Spa
University, UK. Harry is a Student Governor at Bath Spa University, a
School of Sciences - Senior Academic Representative Committee member and
Coach of the Tennis Society/Club, a part-qualified LTA coach, and a
Member of The Royal Commonwealth Society. He has won the Gold Duke of
Edinburgh John Muir Award - an award given in recognition of efforts to
combat biodiversity loss.
Anita Ledaux
Researcher
Masters
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Anita Ledoux holds a master's degree in Sustainable and Environmental Management from the University of Saskatchewan, as well as a bachelor's degree in Indigenous Studies from the University of Alberta. Anita has experience working for non government organizations and government sectors for over a decade within the prairie provinces of Canada.
Liat Sadovitch
MITACS Intern
MITACS Intern
Liat Sadovitch has an undergraduate degree in Social Responsibility and
Sustainable Development, from Anáhuac University Northern Campus, 2023,
an Associate degree in public administration from Anáhuac University
Northern Campus, 2022 and a speciality in Jewish education from Herzog
College, 2021, Mexico. She has worked as Executive Director in Zionist
Council, Mexico. She is the winner of Ronald S. Lauder of Fellowship,
New York, 2021 as a representative of the Mexican delegation. My
passions include social activism, writing, reading, learning new
languages and about new cultures.