Dr. Diane Hirshberg appointed ISER Interim Director
Oct. 14, 2021
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鈥檚 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鈥檚 current director, Dr. Ralph Townsend, is retiring after six years leading the institute. 鈥淲e thank Dr. Townsend for his leadership,鈥 said John Nofsinger, dean of UAA鈥檚 College of Business and Public Policy where ISER resides. 鈥淗e led ISER during a difficult time in Alaska鈥檚 economy. This is a time when research that informs state fiscal policy is more important than ever. During his tenure, ISER researchers also contributed to various economic and social studies that contributed to our understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic, both in Anchorage and at the state level. These research activities are at the core of ISER鈥檚 mission to enhance the well-being of Alaskans and others.鈥
Dr. Townsend will continue to serve the College of Business and Public Policy as a professor of economics, where he will focus on Alaska economic and fiscal policy and fisheries economics.
ISER is currently conducting a search for a permanent director.