About the Energy Forum

The Baker Institute Energy Forum is a multifaceted program that promotes original, forward-looking discussion and research on the energy-related challenges facing our society in the 21st century. For more information about how to join the Energy Forum, please visit our membership page.

The mission of the Energy Forum is to promote the development of informed and realistic public policy choices in the energy area by educating policy makers and the public about important trends-both regional and global-that shape the nature of global energy markets and influence the quantity and security of vital supplies needed to fuel world economic growth and prosperity.

Our choice of the word "forum" is deliberate. It reflects our goal to serve as a public arena for the exchange of ideas on how to improve understanding of the complex political, cultural, religious, economic, and social forces that influence open access to energy resources and their equitable distribution.

The forum provides an opportunity for members to participate first hand in the institute's energy research and energy policy events and to meet personally the distinguished statesmen and industry leaders who shape the energy world today.

Drawing on Rice University's interdisciplinary expertise in environmental engineering, energy sustainability, economics, political science, geology, nanotechnology, architecture, sociology, anthropology, and religious studies, the Baker Institute Energy Forum has published 16 major studies on energy policy since its inception in 1996, two books, and more than 200 scholarly articles on topics including: global and regional energy security, energy geopolitics, energy resource development, emerging energy technologies, energy and economic growth, energy forecasting, energy and the environment, and energy sector regulation.

Many senior statesmen and energy industry leaders have visited the Baker Institute Energy Forum to discuss a variety of public policy issues with its members. Past visitors include: President Vladimir Putin of Russia; H.H. The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamed bin Khalifa Al-Thani; President Nursultan Nazarbaev of Kazakhstan; President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria; President Olsegun Obasanjo of Nigeria; President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt; Director General of PEMEX, Raúl Munoz Leos; Mexico's former Secretary of Energy, Luis Tellez; Qatar's Minister of Energy, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah; former Saudi Energy Minister, Sheik Ahmed Zaki Yamani; International Energy Agency Executive Director Claude Mandil; Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank; U.S. Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs, Paula Dobriansky; former National Security Council Director of Near East and South Asian Affairs, Bruce Riedel, and Hiroyuki Watanabe, Senior Managing Director, Toyota Motor Corporation; Algeria's Minister of Energy and Mines, H.E. Chakib Khelil; Congressman Francisco Xavier Salazar Diez de Sollano, Chairman, Energy Commission, Mexican Chamber of Deputies; Amory Lovins CEO, Rocky Mountain Institute and Chairman, Hypercar, Inc.; Saudi Foreign Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud; Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, H.E. Murli Deora; Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Engr. Funsho Kupolokun; Qatar Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al-Thani.

Baker Institute Energy Forum research involves Rice University Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Political Science, Anthropology, History, Religion, Earth Science and Geology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management and the Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology as well as outside experts.

The James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy is now accepting applications for intern positions. This is your chance to work directly with Institute Fellows and Rice Faculty on exciting areas of research. The internship program is designed to provide Rice university undergraduate students with experience working in issues of public policy and in a non-profit environment. The internships are oriented towards providing students with research experience, writing and editing opportunities, office administration experience, and experience working events and representing the Baker Institute to our sponsors. To learn more about internship opportunities at the Baker Institute or for application information, please go to our internship program page.