Diana L. Burley, Ph.D., is the senior vice president of research at the Brookings Institution, where she plays a crucial role in research quality, scholar culture and success, impact planning, and cross-program initiatives. A global cybersecurity expert, she joins Brookings from American University where she served as vice provost for research and innovation since 2020, overseeing the university-wide research enterprise as both chief research officer and chief innovation officer. At AU, she also served as a tenured full professor and led two research institutes, a Cyber & Economic Security Institute and the Translating Research into Action Center (TRAC). An active researcher, Diana has authored nearly 100 publications. She regularly advises executives on emerging technologies and the future of work and is a passionate advocate for building a diverse and inclusive global tech community, dedicated to empowering and supporting individuals from all walks of life to thrive and contribute to the innovation landscape.
Prior to American University, Diana spent 14 years at George Washington University as a professor, administrator, and executive director of the Institute for Information Infrastructure Protection (I3P)—a 26-member cybersecurity research consortium. She serves on the board of directors for Cyber Future Foundation and has been honored by the Executive Women's Forum, SC Magazine, the Federal CIO Council, and others for her leadership in building the global cybersecurity
History of Employment
Position
Division
Organization
Start
End
Senior Vice President of Research
The Brookings Institution
2025
Current
Vice Provost, Research and Innovation
American University
2020
2025
Executive Director
Institute for Information Infrastructure Protection (I3P)
George Washington University
2015
2020
Professor
Graduate School of Education and Human Development
George Washington University
2006
2020
Interim Associate Dean, Research
Graduate School of Education and Human Development
George Washington University
2018
2018
Chair, Department of Human and Organizational Learning
Graduate School of Education and Human Development
George Washington University
2010
2010
Program Director
Directorate for Education & Human Resources
National Science Foundation
2004
2007
Assistant Professor
School of Information Studies
Syracuse University
2002
2006
Assistant Professor
Kelley School of Business
Indiana University
1998
2002
Professor
School of Public Affairs
American University
2020
Professor
Kogod School of Business
American University
2020
