Susan Hubbard from ORNL Appointed to Baker School’s Board of Directors
Knoxville –Susan Hubbard, deputy for science and technology at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), has been appointed to the Board of Directors at the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School). Her five-year term began on January 1, 2024.
Hubbard has more than 25 years of experience in the Department of Energy’s national laboratories. With a PhD in civil and environmental engineering from the University of California Berkley, she worked as a geologist at the U.S. Geological Survey and a geophysicist in the industry before joining Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where she served as an associate lab director. As a pioneering hydrologist, she has been recognized as a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and as a Fellow of several scientific professional societies. In her role at ORNL, she guides one of the nation’s most extensive research and development portfolios, including environmental and biological research, energy science and technology, computational sciences and national security sciences.
“We are so fortunate to have Dr. Hubbard joining the Baker School Board of Directors,” said Marianne Wanamaker, dean of the Baker School. “As the school develops new research and academic programs in focus areas of mutual interest, our partnership with ORNL is deepening. Dr. Hubbard brings needed insights on how the school can best serve the research and workforce needs of the state of Tennessee and the country at large.”
The Baker School’s academic and research pursuits align with ORNL’s mission. Through the Center of Energy, Transportation and Environmental Policy and the Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs, the school partners with ORNL on cutting-edge research and education in the areas of energy policy, transportation policy, environmental policy and nuclear security.
“Many of the topics that are of joint interest to the Baker School and ORNL, including energy, environment and security, are at a critical inflection point. To ensure a prosperous future for our state and nation, dedicated efforts are needed to strengthen science-informed policy as well as policies that affect science,” Hubbard said. “I’m thrilled to join the Baker School board to support its vision, including advancing research and engagement to address public problems and to develop the next generation of public servants who are prepared to be pragmatic problem solvers.”
As ORNL’s chief research liaison with UT, her appointment to the Baker School board continues her input in advancing the school’s and university’s energy, environmental and national security research. She has served on numerous advisory and editorial boards as a scientific leader in a national laboratory setting.
The Board of Directors, chaired by Jim Haslam II, consults and advises the executive director and staff on all aspects of the Baker School’s programming, research and other activities. The 16-member board meets twice yearly and consists of higher education leadership, Senator Baker’s children, former ambassadors and business executives from various industries.