Title: From the Bench to the Battlefield: advancing science to support the future warfighter.

Presenter: Richard E. Niemeyer, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Sociology, Director, Warfighter Effectiveness Research Center, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, United States Air Force Academy 

Abstract: Military superiority requires a deep, accurate, and precise understanding of the socio-technical factors affecting warfighter effectiveness. This is especially true in the information domain. The scientific method has historically been the most reliable way to identify and manage these factors. However, recent studies suggest that many scientific research findings may be false positives. This means that government officials, military officers, and enlisted servicemembers can't be sure that the scientific research informing their decisions is accurate. As a result, there's an urgent need to evaluate and enhance the precision and accuracy of scientific research that supports the warfighter effort. In my presentation, I will discuss how the United States Air Force Academy Warfighter Effectiveness Research Center (WERC) is meeting this need in the areas of Human-Machine Teaming, Cognitive Security, and Simulation & Modeling.

Bio: Dr. Richard E. Niemeyer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership at the United States Air Force Academy and Director of the Warfighter Effectiveness Research Center. He earned his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California, Riverside in 2011. His research identifies and describes the neurological, psychobehavioral, and sociocultural mechanisms underlying complex social phenomena and translates this understanding into high-impact solutions to social problems. He is currently a co-investigator with Drs. Leanne Hirshfield (PI, CU Boulder), Allison Anderson (Co-I, CU Boulder), Marta Ceko (Co-I, CU Boulder), Nitesh Saxena (Co-I, Texas A&M), and Col. Chad Tossell (Co-I, USAFA) on a five-year multi-university research initiative exploring the neurosociological mechanisms influencing susceptibility to foreign malign influence in low information environments. He and his wife, Christy, live in Denver, CO, where they enjoy engaging in middle-aged shenanigans.