Richard Lester is Japan Steel Industry Professor and professor of nuclear science and engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From 2015 through August 2024 Lester served as MIT’s inaugural vice provost (formerly associate provost) for international activities, responsible for providing intellectual leadership, guidance, and oversight of the Institute’s international policies and engagements. In that role, he led the development of the Institute’s first global strategy; championed new MIT research and educational activities, especially in Africa and Asia; worked to enhance the international educational experiences available to MIT students; and served as President of MIT International. Lester also served as the architect of MIT’s global geopolitical risk management processes and chaired the Institute’s Senior Risk Group, helping to introduce critical assessments and guidance for faculty, research staff, and administrators to identify and manage risk and ensure successful collaborations with international parties. more…