NSF selects Kellina Craig-Henderson to lead Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate

Portrait of Kellina Craig-Henderson

Craig-Henderson is a former professor of psychology and has served in several NSF leadership roles.


June 17, 2022

The U.S. National Science Foundation has selected Kellina Craig-Henderson to serve as Assistant Director of its Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate. She had been serving as acting assistant director since January.

Craig-Henderson is a former professor of psychology and has served in several other leadership roles at NSF, including deputy assistant director of the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate, deputy division director of the Social and Economic Sciences Division and director of NSF's Tokyo Regional Office.

"For more than 16 years, Kellina Craig-Henderson's intellect and expertise have helped guide our Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate, providing steady leadership in several important roles," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. "I am delighted to have someone with her track record of excellence taking on this role."

Craig-Henderson is passionate about broadening the participation of underrepresented groups and has been involved in several national and international activities that share this focus. She has promoted the establishment of new science funding mechanisms that support evidence-based research on the science of broadening participation. Her efforts have resulted in federal support for research examining issues related to gender parity in STEM and minority participation in work settings.

Read the full announcement on beta.nsf.gov.

The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

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