Shirley Malcom

Shirley Malcom is Head of Education and Human Resources Programs of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The directorate includes AAAS programs in education, activities for underrepresented groups, and public understanding of science and technology. Dr. Malcom was head of the AAAS Office of Opportunities in Science from 1979 to 1989. Between 1977 and 1979, she served as program officer in the Science Education Directorate of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Prior to this, she held the rank of assistant professor of biology, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and for two years was a high school science teacher. Dr. Malcom received her doctorate in ecology from The Pennsylvania State University; master’s degree in zoology from the University of California, Los Angeles; and bachelor’s degree with distinction in zoology from the University of Washington. In addition she holds thirteen honorary degrees. Dr. Malcom serves on several boards, including the Howard Heinz Endowment. She is an honorary trustee of the American Museum of Natural History, a Regent of Morgan State University, and a trustee of Caltech. She has chaired a number of national committees addressing education reform and access to scientific and technical education, careers and literacy. Dr. Malcom is a former trustee of the Carnegie Corporation of New York and a fellow of the AAAS and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2003, she received the Public Welfare Medal of the National Academy of Sciences, the highest award bestowed by the Academy. Dr. Malcom was a member of the National Park System Advisory Board from 1999-2003. She served on the National Science Board, the policymaking body of the National Science Foundation from 1994 to 1998, and from 1994-2001 served on the President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology.

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