ASA Hires First Director of Science Policy
did the majority of
The director of science policy position was created by the ASA Board of Directors the charts, some of
under the leadership of past ASA President Sallie Keller-McNulty and at the which were used in the
recommendation of the Science Policy Task Force. National Academies
report “Rising Above
The director of science policy will execute strategic and short-range plans designed
the Gathering Storm.”
to increase the participation and visibility of the statistical profession and the ASA in
Pierson has iden-
science policy discussions at the national and international levels; promote the use tified and recruited
and appreciation of sound statistical methods in the collection and analysis of the
Stephen W. Pierson
faculty members from
data on which decisions are based; work with decisionmakers to help the statistical key states/districts to
sciences receive an appropriate share of public funds devoted to scientific research
come to Washington to visit their members
and education; work closely with ASA committees, sections, special interest groups,
of Congress. He also contributed to media
and chapters to foster and encourage their science policy activities; and provide
strategy for budget lobbying, including
timely information about science policy developments to members and staff.
ghost writing or cowriting numerous op-ed
pieces and letters to the editor.
He earned his PhD in physics from
A
SA Executive Director Ron alerts more than doubled and the number the University of Minnesota and his BA
Wasserstein is pleased to announce of members participating in congressional in mathematics, physics, and Spanish
that Stephen W. Pierson will join visits increased by a factor of two. from Concordia College in Moorhead,
the ASA in March as the first director of Pierson played a lead role in obtaining Minnesota. He was a postdoctoral fellow at
science policy. Pierson will come to the signatures of two-thirds of the Senate on an the Naval Research Laboratory and a faculty
ASA from the American Physical Society, appropriations “Dear Colleague” letter in member at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
where he has been the head of government support of the Department of Energy Office before becoming a senior science policy fel-
relations for the past five years. of Science over the last three years. He was low and then head of government relations
Among his many accomplishments at the responsible for researching and developing at the American Physical Society.
American Physical Society, Pierson directed messages and materials, including the major- “Pierson’s references painted a consis-
federal science research budget advocacy. He ity of material in the report of the Task Force tent picture of an individual who knows his
was deeply involved in convincing the Bush on the Future of American Innovation, “The way around the federal government,” said
administration to create the 2006 American Knowledge Economy: Is the United States Wasserstein. “They especially pointed out his
Competitiveness Initiative. He also was Losing Its Competitive Edge?” Published analytical ability and great skill at explaining
responsible for significantly increasing grass- in November of 2006 and available at technical matters to nontechnical persons.”
roots participation of society members and
www.futureofinnovation.org/2006report, All of Pierson’s references also indicated he
other scientists through networking and it is the sequel to “Benchmarks of Our used data effectively and convincingly. “He
outreach. As a result, response rates to email Innovation Future,” for which Pierson explains it,” one said. “He doesn’t spin it.” n
Nominations for Editor of the ASA
Statistics Education Web (STEW)
The American Statistical Association invites nominations for the editor of Statistics
Education Web, or STEW, an online bank of peer-reviewed lesson plans for K–12
teachers of math and science. The editor —who will serve from 2009 through
2011, with orientation beginning in 2008—will review lesson plans that showcase
Online
the use of statistical methods and ideas in science and mathematics.
All nominations must include a curriculum vitae and a statement describing the
Lessons
nominee’s qualifications. Interested individuals may nominate themselves.
Please send nomination materials by March 8, 2008.
Martha Aliaga, ASA Director of Programs
martha@amstat.org
732 North Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
For more information about STEW, visit
www.amstat.org/education/STEW.
20 AMSTAT NEWS MARCH 2008
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