Andrew Light, Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy, and Director of the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy, is taking a temporary leave of absence to join the Obama administration as Senior Adviser to the Special Envoy on Climate Change in the Department of State. This appointment comes in recognition of Light's work on the front lines of international climate policy since coming to Mason from the University of Washington in 2008, especially in conjunction with his cooperative work with the Center for American Progress and the German Marshall Fund of the United States, where he had been appointed a Senior Fellow. At the State Department, in addition to working on the primary UN climate negotiations, Light will take a leadership role on a variety of topics, including the U.S.-India bilateral relationship on climate change and clean energy, and efforts to reduce "super" climate pollutants, such as hydrofluorocarbons, methane, and black carbon. He will lead the office and serve as chief liaison to the Secretary of State and the White House when the Special Envoy is traveling. The leave will last one year, renewable for one additional year. During his absence Gwynne Taraska will serve as Interim Director of the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy.