ISER Director

Dr. Diane Hirshberg, professor of education policy, has been selected as Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER). Dr. Hirshberg is an 18-year veteran of UAA and ISER, and has served in leadership roles such as President of UAA’s faculty senate and advisor to the Chancellor on Arctic Research and Education. She was the founding director of the Center for Alaska Education Policy Research and is currently Vice-President Academic at the University of the Arctic.

The Institute of Social and Economic Research is hosting virtual presentations by three candidates for its Director position. Each will address “The ISER Director’s Role in Addressing Alaska’s Key Policy Issues Over the Next Decade.” Members of the UAA community and the public are welcome to attend, and should register in advance.

Dr. Diane Hirshberg, Professor of Education, has been appointed Interim Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER). Dr. Hirshberg is an 18-year veteran of UAA and ISER, and has served in leadership roles such as President of UAA’s faculty senate and advisor to the Chancellor on Arctic Research and Education. She was the founding director of the Center for Alaska Education Policy Research and is currently Vice-President Academic at the University of the Arctic.

ISER is currently looking for a new director, who will coordinate research activities both within the institute and with other institutions and agencies, and will supervise a multi-disciplinary team consisting of 30 people, including faculty, administrative and research staff, and student researchers.

Following a nationwide search, Dr. Ralph Townsend has been named to lead ISER beginning in August. Dr. Townsend has nearly thirty years of experience in higher education and government, including research, administration and teaching.

Read more about Ralph and his appointment.

Gunnar Knapp has been appointed director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), after acting as interim director since January. He is a long-time professor of economics at ISER, widely respected for his studies of Alaska’s commercial fisheries and other aspects of the state’s economy. ISER is part of UAA’s College of Business and Public Policy, and Rashmi Prasad, dean of the college, praised the appointment: “Dr. Knapp is uniquely qualified to lead ISER at this point in its history. In addition to his outstanding academic credentials, he has proven himself to be a leader among the CBPP faculty and in his role as interim director of ISER.” Gunnar Knapp says he is honored to be named director, and sees his job as “an opportunity to work with wonderful colleagues on complex and fascinating social and economic issues—and to make a real difference in helping Alaskans understand and address those issues.” Read more