Featured Speakers

Robert (“RJ”) Johnston is Senior Director of Research at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University. In this capacity, he is responsible for leading the Center’s research strategy, staff, products, and operations. RJ was previously the founder and Managing Director of the Eurasia Group’s Energy, Climate, and Resources practice, and served as the firm’s CEO from 2013 to 2018. At the Eurasia Group, RJ worked closely with corporate and institutional investor clients in the oil and gas, mining, electric power, and clean tech sectors.

Prior to joining Eurasia Group, RJ served as managing director of equity research at Medley Global Advisors, where he was responsible for providing political and strategic insights to clients in the institutional investment community and served as the lead analyst for global energy equities. RJ, in addition, was a research director at UBS Warburg Energy, working directly in support of energy trading. And he previously directed internal research teams supporting oil, LNG, metals, and FX trading at Enron Global Markets. Earlier, at ArmorGroup, RJ directed political risk research for corporate clients in a variety of markets including China, Russia, Colombia, and Indonesia.

RJ is an independent advisor to the First Nations Climate Initiative, a Canadian initiative focused on building economic prosperity and resilient communities for Indigenous nations in a decarbonizing world. He is an advisor to the CEO of Ubiquity Solar, a US-based solar power manufacturing concern. He is also an advisor on North American energy policy to a New York-based diversified investment management firm.

Recent notable achievements include serving as Project Director for the Aspen Institute Task Force on US Critical Minerals Policy. He has also been a featured speaker at industry and expert gatherings including the International Gas Union, the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum Abu Dhabi, the Canadian Public Policy Forum, the CD Howe Institute Energy Dialogue, the World Petroleum Congress, and the First Nations Major Projects Coalition.

RJ is a member of the Trilateral Commission and is a member of the steering committee for the Open Minds Next Generation initiative on the dual energy/climate policy challenge. He was a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center from 2017 to 2021.

RJ holds a doctorate in international relations from American University, a master’s degree in political science from McMaster University, and a bachelor’s degree in political studies from Bishop’s University.