WHAT'S NEW, Friday, 27 January 1989 Washington, DC
1.
RICHARD NICHOLSON IS PICKED FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE AAAS,
replacing Al Trivelpiece who resigned after less than a year to
head Oak Ridge National Laboratories
(WN 30 Sep 88). Nicholson
is currently the Assistant Director of NSF for Mathematical and
Physical Sciences. He joined NSF 18 years ago from Michigan
State where he had been associate professor of chemistry. When
he assumes his new duties in mid-April, he will be serving one of
his former bosses at NSF, Richard Atkinson, who was Director of
the NSF from 1977-80 and who ascended to the presidency of AAAS
last Friday. Nicholson was Director of the Division of Chemistry
during that period. Atkinson is now Chancellor of the University
of California at San Diego. In addition to managing the world's
largest scientific association, the Executive Officer of the AAAS
is an important spokesperson for science on policy issues.
2
. MEANWHILE, NSF IS FORCED TO CONSIDER AWARDING ONE-YEAR GRANTS.
Normally, NSF grants are for three years, but since Congress
appropriates funds only one year at a time, NSF is placing bets
when it commits funds for the second and third years. Last year
they were forced to renege on some commitments, particularly in
condensed matter theory, which suffered 12.5% cuts across the
board. The NSF's initial response to complaints was to deny it
was happening, which created an ugly scene
(WN 4 Mar 88). Not
all commitments will be honored this year either according to NSF
sources. To avoid a problem next year as well, Erich Bloch is
insisting on strict adherence to a long-standing NSF policy of
committing no more than 65% of current-year funding. To stay
within this guideline, it may be necessary to award some one-year
grants, but NSF officials insist it is only on paper. A full
proposal will not be required for renewal the second year. Who
will be most affected? You guessed it, condensed matter theory.
3. THE REASSIGNMENT OF THE HEAD OF DOE'S FUSION ENERGY PROGRAM
to
lead a task force on global climate change has raised the average
temperature in the magnetic confinement community. John Clarke
has headed the magnetic confinement program since 1982. Robert
Hunter, the Director of Energy Research, who has only held his
job since September
(WN 23 Sep 88) and who may not survive the
Bush transition, is said to have fundamental differences with
Clarke over the direction of fusion research
(WN 16 Dec 88). But,
the positive spin control from within DOE insists that global
climate is a high priority and Hunter needed an experienced and
capable person to lead the effort. Meanwhile, Hunter is busily
campaigning to hold on to his job in the Bush administration.
4. THE MOST IMPORTANT SCIENCE APPOINTMENT SO FAR IN THE BUSH
ADMINISTRATION was made on Wednesday. Still no Science Advisor,
but Bush named Robert E. Grady to be Associate Director of the
Office of Management and Budget for Natural Resources, Energy and
Science. Grady, a Stanford MBA, was a Bush campaign advisor.
|
