October 2021

On September 30, William T. Riley, director of the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) and the Associate Director for Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (BSSR) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that he would retire at the end of December 2021. Riley has served as the director of OBSSR for the past seven years. The OBSSR plays a vital role in coordinating social and behavioral science across all of the NIH institutes and centers.

Prior to his tenure at OBSSR, Riley served in the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. He also served as an ex officio member of the National Science Foundation Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Advisory Committee.

Upon his retirement, current OBSSR Deputy Director Christine M. Hunter will serve in acting positions for Riley’s dual roles while a search is underway for his successor.

“We wish Dr. Riley the best in his retirement; he definitely will be missed by all of us privileged to work with him,” said AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine. “His substantive knowledge of our fields, his understanding of the social and educational dimensions of health and well-being, and his contributions to sound science policy in advancing research transparency and integrity have left us all in a far, far better place because of his public service.”