Appointment of Section Head for Arctic Sciences
National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs
The NSF Office of Polar Programs (OPP) is pleased to announce the
appointment of Mr. Simon Stephenson as the Section Head for Arctic
Sciences for an initial period of two years, effective 16 April 2006.
With extensive experience in coordinating science needs and the
supporting logistics in the Arctic and the Antarctica, Mr. Stephenson
will provide leadership in helping the science community meet new
challenges during the International Polar Year and beyond.
Mr. Stephenson comes to the Arctic Program with 28 years experience in
polar research. His first 11 years were as a glacier geophysicist with
British Antarctic Survey and then with a team based at NASA's Goddard
Space Flight Center working on the dynamics of West Antarctic ice
streams. He has worked in small field research teams as well as in large
integrated multi-institutional field campaigns.
In 1989 Mr. Stephenson joined NSF's Office of Polar Programs as the
Research Support Manager for the Antarctic Program, leading the
development of support plans for over 100 research projects annually in
Aeronomy, Astrophysics, Biology, Geology, Geophysics, Climate studies,
and Oceanography. In 1999 Mr. Stephenson joined the Arctic Section to
lead the establishment of NSF's new Research Support and Logistics
Program for the Arctic. The focus was to improve the capacity and
capability of facilities throughout the Arctic used by U.S. researchers
supported by NSF and often, through international partnerships with
other nations involved in Arctic research. Mr. Stephenson also served as
the program officer for the Arctic Long-term observations program. His
expertise and experience will greatly assist NSF as it supports
scientists, engineers, and educators addressing the evolving frontiers
of research in the Arctic.
Mr. Stephenson graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1978 and
obtained a Master of Philosophy in Glacier Geophysics from the Council
for National Academic Awards, UK in 1984.
NSF will initiate a national search shortly for the next Program Manager
for Arctic Research Support and Logistics.
Karl Erb
Director, Office of Polar Programs