David Davidson Named Interim Director of WWU Border Policy Research Institute

David Davidson has been named interim director of the Border Policy Research Institute (BPRI) at Western Washington University.

Davidson was associate director of the BPRI from 2005 through July 2014. He returns to Western to take the reins from longtime director Don Alper, who resigned from the position at the end of September and will be retiring from the university at the end of the year.

“David has been a part of the Border Policy Research Institute from its beginnings and has been a large element in its success over its life. His experience both with the BPRI and outside Western, his connections, and his broad knowledge will help ensure the BPRI continues to fulfill its mission to the best extent possible,” said Brian Burton, associate vice president for Academic Affairs at Western.

At the BPRI, Davidson has conducted field research projects with students, produced the Institute's periodical, the Border Policy Brief, and administered day-to-day operations of the Institute. Prior to working at the Institute, he served for eight years as the city administrator in Sumas, Wash., a city abutting the Canadian border. In that capacity he gained practical experience with border-related issues in arenas such as border security, environmental management, and trade facilitation. Davidson has a master's degree in computer science from the University of Virginia and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Washington.

“The BPRI is a vital asset to the state of Washington, given the huge boost that Canada provides to the state’s economy.  It’s crucial that the BPRI remain productive during this transition period that follows Don Alper’s departure, and I’m honored that Western has entrusted me to keep things moving forward,” Davidson said.

The Border Policy Research Institute is multi-disciplinary institute that undertakes research that informs policy-makers on matters related to the Canada - U.S. border. Priority focus areas are trade and transportation, economics, environment, immigration, and border security. The University established the BPRI to further a mission of promoting research, academic programs, and public programming on critical policy issues affecting the Pacific Northwest.