John Hardin is Executive Director of the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation, housed within the NC Department of Commerce. Appointed in 2009 after serving as Acting Director and Deputy Director, he leads the Board’s efforts to advise the Governor, General Assembly, and economic development leaders on the role of science, technology, and innovation in North Carolina’s growth. Established in 1963, the Board is the first of its kind in the U.S. and has launched numerous initiatives to support R&D, entrepreneurship, and technology-based economic development.

Hardin oversees strategic planning, policy development, legislative engagement, and grant programs supporting tech commercialization. He frequently presents policy briefings and publishes research on innovation-led growth and public policy.

He currently serves on advisory and executive committees for organizations such as NIIMBL, PowerAmerica, the Research Triangle Environmental Health Collaborative, and the NC Science Festival. He also sits on the boards of SSTI and the Museum of Life and Science, among others. Past service includes roles with the Kenan Fellows Program, FIRST North Carolina, and NSF advisory boards.

Previously, Hardin served as Assistant Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs at the UNC system office. He has also taught political science and public policy at UNC-Chapel Hill, focusing on American government and science policy.

His research has been published in journals and edited volumes, and he has authored more than 50 policy reports and delivered over 150 presentations at conferences worldwide.

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Hardin holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in political science from UNC-Chapel Hill and a B.A. in economics from Baylor University. He lives in Durham with his wife, Jane, and they have two adult daughters.