A leading global expert on public opinion, social influence and political communication has been named the University’s 29th provost.

Vincent Price (above), Penn’s interim provost since March 1, and the Steven H. Chaffee Term Professor of Communication in the Annenberg School for Communication, will formally assume the office on July 1 after ratification by the University’s trustees. He succeeds Ron Daniels, who left the post in February to become President of Johns Hopkins University.

Price, who also holds an appointment as professor of political science in the School of Arts and Sciences, came to Penn in 1998 from the University of Michigan, where he was chair and associate professor of communication studies and a faculty associate of the Center for Political Studies. In his 11 years at Penn, he has served as associate provost for faculty affairs, chair of the Faculty Senate and associate dean of the Annenberg School.

Price is a well-respected scholar, and is perhaps best known for his 1992 book, “Public Opinion,” which has been published in six languages and is taught in courses around the world. His work has been widely cited and funded by grants from the Pew Charitable Trusts, National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. He is also the former editor in chief of Public Opinion Quarterly and former guest editor of both Communication Research and Political Communication.

As interim provost, Price has overseen all aspects of the University pertaining to faculty appointments, research, education, student life, athletics, libraries and arts and culture, working with the deans of Penn’s 12 schools throughout the budget cycle. He has also worked closely with Penn President Amy Gutmann and other members of the senior leadership team in areas such as the University’s operating and capital budgets and long-range financial plans.

Price’s selection as provost—the University’s chief academic officer—follows a five-and-a-half-month international search during which more than 180 people were considered for the position.