Directorate Update David W Lightfoot Assistant Director National

Directorate Update David W. Lightfoot Assistant Director National Science Foundation

Human & Social Dynamics Increase budgets of core programs Ø Complexity science Ø Infrastructure Ø Large-scale interdisciplinary awards Ø Decision Making Under Uncertainty Ø Cross-Directorate Activities Ø Human factors in environmental change Ø

Dear Colleague Letter Complexity science Ø complex systems incorporating simpler systems Ø dynamics of complex systems: tipping points and emergent phenomena of phase transitions Large-scale interdisciplinary research Infrastructure

The IDEAS Factory A potentially transformational method to foster the process of discovery

The IDEAS Factory Ø Program initiated in 2004 by UK EPSRC to explore mechanisms of generating innovative high risk research projects on selected topics (problem-based or paradigm-shift) Ø Central feature: “Sandpit” l Intensive, interactive, 5 -day event involving a diverse group of 20 -30 people in order to uncover innovative ideas

Sandpit Concept Inputs: Grand Challenge Topic, Creative People, Money Creative Environment: “Sandpit” Outputs: Ideas, Research projects, Feasibility studies, Networking

Who is Involved? Ø Director and Mentors, focus on the topic l l Ø Facilitators, focus on the process l l Ø Not eligible for funding Provide real-time peer review Help design the sandpit Facilitate interactions to develop creative environment Participants l Recruited through open call

Sandpit Selection Process Sandpit Director selects 4 -5 Mentors (similar to an NSF review panel or site-visit team) Ø Open, widely-advertised, call for participants Ø 2 -page application (analogous to pre-proposal) Ø l l Ø Knowledge and expertise Personal attributes (communication skills, collaborative behavior, level of creativity) Review panel, with occupational psychologist, selects workshop participants l Diversity is key: Variety of disciplines, diverse backgrounds, mix of personal attributes increases group’s willingness to take risks and encourages creativity

Sandpit Process: What it is Ø Intensive and interactive Ø Interdisciplinary Ø Facilitated to promote creative thinking Ø Based on real-time peer review (analogous to MREFC PDR process)

Sandpit Process: What it isn’t Ø Technical presentations Ø Committee-style meetings Ø Limited to single disciplines Ø Disconnected from funding plans

Features and Outcomes Ø Features: l l Ø Real-time peer review Real-time decisions about projects and funding Outcomes: l Complementary research projects that vary in scale and scope, provide a more holistic approach to addressing the grand challenge.

What Happens After? Ø Groups submit full proposals within eight weeks Ø Reviewed by Director and mentors for intellectual merit and degree of novelty and complementarity to the other projects

Proposed Joint NSF-EPSRC Sandpit Topic: Synthetic Biology Ø Sandpit Director: NSF Program Director Ø Mentors: Selected by NSF and EPSRC Ø Ø Open call for workshop participants issued by EPSRC, open to US and UK l Applications reviewed by Sandpit Director and Mentors Sandpit to be held in US Ø NSF proposed contribution of $4 M Ø

Social and Behavioral Dimensions of National Security, Conflict, and Cooperation (NSCC)

Goals NSF and Do. D intend: to develop the Do. D’s social and human science intellectual capital in order to enhance its ability to address future challenges; Ø to enhance the Do. D’s engagement with the social science community; and Ø to deepen the understanding of the social and behavioral dimensions of national security issues. Ø

Four Topical Areas New Approaches to Understanding Dimensions of National Security, Conflict, and Cooperation Ø Studies of Terrorist Organization and Ideologies Ø Ø Studies of the Strategic Impact of Religious and Cultural Change Ø Studies of Political, Cultural, and Social Dynamics Under Authoritarian Regimes

Types of Support Ø Workshops: Up to an all inclusive total of $50, 000 to $150, 000 Ø Small Award Grants: Up to an all inclusive total of $500, 000, over a duration of two to three years. Ø Large Award Grants: Up to an all inclusive total of $2 million per year for a duration of three to five years.

Response 169 projects representing 201 proposals: l l l 24 workshop projects 119 small award projects 26 large award projects Six panels for topical areas plus 1 workshop panel. Commence December 1.

Science of Learning Centers Ø LIFE Center: Learning in Informal and Formal Environments - PI Pat Kuhl, University of Washington. Ø CELEST: Center for Learning in Education, Science, and Technology- PI Stephen Grossberg, Boston University. Ø PSLC: Pittsburgh Science of Learning Center – PI Ken Koedinger, Carnegie Mellon University.

SLC’s Ø SILC: Spatial Intelligence and Learning Center - PI Nora Newcombe, Temple University. Ø VL 2: Visual Language and Visual Learning Center – PI Thomas Allen, Gallaudet University. Ø TDLC: Temporal Dynamics of Learning Center – PI Garrison Cottrell, University of California-San Diego.