Arthur Lupia appointed as interim VP for research at U-M

Arthur Lupia has been named as the interim vice president for research and innovation at the University of Michigan, starting on April 1. Recognized for his leadership in science-focused institutions, Lupia currently holds the position of associate vice president for research, large-scale strategies, and serves as the executive director of Bold Challenges, an initiative dedicated to facilitating large-scale research projects.

President Santa J. Ono expressed his pleasure in Lupia taking on this crucial role, highlighting Lupia’s history of scholarship and excellence. The appointment, authorized by Ono and announced on March 29, will be brought before the Board of Regents as an information item during the May 16 meeting, as part of Ono’s strategic transition plan to maintain the university’s momentum in research, scholarship, and creative practice.

Lupia, who will be succeeding Rebecca Cunningham after her departure on March 31 to become president at the University of Minnesota, will be responsible for overseeing research excellence and integrity across the university’s three campuses, as well as providing leadership to the U-M Office of Research.

Having joined the University of Michigan in 2001 as a political science professor and research professor at the Institute for Social Research’s Center for Political Studies, Lupia has held various academic positions, including the Hal R. Varian Collegiate Professor of Political Science and the Gerald R. Ford Distinguished University Professor of Political Science. He has also been honored with the President’s Award for Public Impact.

In his most recent role as the executive director of Bold Challenges, Lupia has been instrumental in leading collaborative efforts with research centers and institutes on the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses to address societal challenges related to equity, health, infrastructure, and sustainability. Additionally, his experience as an assistant director at the National Science Foundation and co-chair of the governmentwide Subcommittee on Open Science for the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy have further solidified his expertise in research and innovation.

A member of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s Strategic Council for Research Excellence, Integrity, and Trust, Lupia holds degrees in economics and social science from the University of Rochester and the California Institute of Technology, respectively. He brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to advancing research and innovation at the University of Michigan.