PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] – Former PSTC Director and Professor of Economics and Community Health Andrew Foster is serving as the founding director of Brown's new Social Science Research Institute (SSRI). The primary aim of the SSRI is to advance the interests and productivity of faculty in the Social Sciences at Brown University through seed funding, grant submission and management, and other administrative support. 

As the most recent director of the PSTC (2011-2016) and former chair of the Economics Department, Foster brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience to the newly formed SSRI. As director, he will work to build links between research centers on campus and, with the SSRI staff, assist faculty in identifying and applying for grants to support high-quality research.