Building off his experience in land use and local government law practice, Robert’s research focuses on the law, finance, infrastructure, and real estate of sport venues and events. Robert’s broader purpose with these research threads is to investigate how governments can incentivize and invest in assets that will support quality of life and economic opportunity, while avoiding the severe fiscal stress that often accompanies failed projects. While there has been no shortage of literature indicating lackluster returns on public finance of stadiums and arenas, this work has failed to sufficiently stem the tide of deals with highly questionable social impacts. Robert’s research is intended to build from this reality and instead provide cities and citizens a referential roadmap to harm reduction through addressing information asymmetry.

Robert’s work has been published in sport management, planning, and law journals in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom. Robert is open to knowledge exchange, collaboration, and consulting opportunities in his research areas.

Robert completed his PhD research in Sport Management at the University of Michigan and earned a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Michigan Law School. Robert’s PhD work focused on the use of tax increment financing in North American stadium and arena projects, as well as real estate development ancillary to these venues. Prior to academia, Robert practiced local government law in Vancouver and Calgary, and remains a called Barrister and Solicitor in British Columbia and Alberta. Robert also holds a Juris Doctor and BA (Hons) in Political Science from the University of British Columbia, as well as a Master of Laws from the University of Calgary.