Oscar Barnes is a Research Assistant at the Energy & Environment Lab. Currently, Barnes analyzes the results of a Colorado-based RCT centered on information-based incentives surrounding water conservation.
As a 2025 Polsky Research Fellow (Institute for Climate & Sustainable Growth), Barnes worked under the E&E Lab’s Fiona Burlig and Jesse conducting research that measured the impact of a recent PG&E TOU residential electricity tariff rollout across northern California on consumption patterns, electricity expenditures, short-term price elasticities, and additional relevant metrics through the use of classical econometric experimental designs.
Barnes is a fourth-year in the College at the University of Chicago, where he studies Economics (with a specialization in Data Science) and Statistics. Outside of work, Barnes enjoys watching films, discussing economics and mathematics with friends, and exploring Chicago.