Arden L. Bement is stepping down as the director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to head up Purdue University's new Global Policy Research Institute (GPRI), which will offer faculty and student fellowships, a certificate in public policy, and a graduate program in public policy and public administration.

Arden L. Bement Image: Sam Kittner

"Arden Bement is a leader in the national and global science community," Purdue president and National Science Board member France A. Córdova said in a statement from NSF. "He has a tremendous amount of experience in understanding, formulating and shaping policy on critical issues."

A former Purdue nuclear engineering professor and department head, Bement began his six-year stint as NSF director in 2004 after serving as acting director for 10 months. Under his direction, the foundation has broadened its reach in international scientific policy and helped train people to work in a high-tech global economy. Bement also served on the 24-member National Science Board, which governs NSF and advises the president and Congress on science and engineering policy, research and education issues.

"I want to thank Dr. Bement for his nearly seven years of distinguished service at NSF's helm and his unwavering commitment to America's research and education enterprise." John P. Holdren, assistant to the president for science and technology and director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, said in the NSF statement.


Related stories:

NSF slaps school over grant
[20th January 2010]

NSF adopts new ethics rules
[3rd September 2009]

Boost for NSF funding
[19th June 2008]