Arthur Lupia – a distinguished researcher, talented educator and seasoned administrator whose career has included federal government roles in two U.S. presidential administrations – has been appointed to become University of Michigan’s next vice president for research and innovation, effective Aug. 1.
Lupia has served as the interim vice president for research and innovation since April 2024, following the departure of Rebecca Cunningham, who left U-M to become president at the University of Minnesota. He will lead the U-M Office of Research and guide its work to catalyze, support and safeguard U-M research across the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses.
“Over the past 15 months, Dr. Lupia’s leadership has guided world-class research at the University of Michigan through unprecedented challenges to higher education,” said President Domenico Grasso, who authorized the appointment. “I am confident in his ability to support the research enterprise in ways that drive discoveries, strengthen the economy and improve lives in Michigan and around the world.”
Lupia’s appointment will be reported to the Board of Regents at its Sept. 18 meeting on the Ann Arbor campus. His selection comes after a national search chaired by Stephen Forrest, the Peter A. Franken Distinguished University Professor of Engineering, the Paul G. Goebel Professor of Engineering, professor of electrical engineering and computer science, and of materials science and engineering, College of Engineering; professor of physics, LSA, and supported by Park Square Executive Search.
“Every day, thousands of U-M researchers tackle complex challenges in human health, create incredible advances in vital technologies, and produce discoveries that improve quality of life for people all over our state and across the nation.” Lupia said. “It is an honor to work alongside so many dedicated researchers and research staff as Vice President for Research and Innovation. I am grateful for this opportunity to build on Michigan’s great legacy of research leadership.”
Lupia joined U-M in 2001 as a professor of political science and a research professor at the Institute for Social Research’s Center for Political Studies. He was appointed the Hal R. Varian Collegiate Professor of Political Science from 2006-20, and the Gerald R. Ford Distinguished University Professor of Political Science in 2020.
Lupia is also a recipient of U-M’s President’s Award for Public Impact.
Lupia joined OVPR in 2022, where he served as the executive director of Bold Challenges, an initiative that facilitates large-scale research collaborations to address health, infrastructure and sustainability challenges. He was named associate vice president for research, large-scale strategies in 2023.
Before joining OVPR, Lupia served from 2018-22 as an assistant director of the National Science Foundation, where he developed strategies to increase the public value of research across NSF’s portfolio.
He also co-chaired the government-wide Subcommittee on Open Science for the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy between 2019-22, convening leaders from more than 30 federal agencies to increase access to, and the public value of, federally funded research.
He is a member of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s Strategic Council for Research Excellence, Integrity, and Trust.
Lupia received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Rochester, and Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees in social science from the California Institute of Technology.
