Kirsten M. Keller

Senior Behavioral Scientist

Santa Monica Office

Education

Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology, University of Maryland; M.A. in industrial/organizational psychology, University of Maryland; B.A. in psychology, Franklin and Marshall College

One Page Bio

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

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Overview

Kirsten Keller is a senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation. Her research focuses on talent management and improving organizational effectiveness.

Recent projects include examining ways to improve the retention of women in the military, improving the diversity of senior military leaders, hiring and development of the federal civilian workforce, effective prevention and response to workplace abuse and misconduct, and how to develop ethical organizational cultures. Other past research topics include the influence of organizational climate and culture on behaviors and attitudes, personnel selection, performance management, and the relationship between organizational structure and effectiveness. Keller holds a Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Maryland.

Research Focus

Previous Positions

Associate Director, RAND Project AIR FORCE Workforce, Development and Health Program

Selected Publications

Keller, Kirsten M., Maria C. Lytell, David Schulker, Kimberly Curry Hall, Louis T. Mariano, John S. Crown, Miriam Matthews, Brandon Crosby, Lisa Saum-Manning, Douglas Yeung, Leslie Adrienne Payne, Felix Knutson, and Leann Caudill, Advancement and Retention Barriers in the U.S. Air Force Civilian White Collar Workforce: Implications for Demographic Diversity, RAND Corporation (RR-2643-AF), 2020

Lim, Nelson, Kimberly Curry Hall, Kirsten M. Keller, David Schulker, Louis T. Mariano, Miriam Matthews, Lisa Saum-Manning, Devon Hill, Brandon Crosby, Leslie Adrienne Payne, Linda Cottrell, and Clara A. Aranibar, Improving the Representation of Women and Racial/Ethnic Minorities Among U.S. Coast Guard Active-Duty Members, RAND Corporation (RR-A362-2), 2021

Keller, Kirsten M., Kimberly Curry Hall, Miriam Matthews, Leslie Adrienne Payne, Lisa Saum-Manning, Douglas Yeung, David Schulker, Stefan Zavislan, and Nelson Lim, Addressing Barriers to Female Officer Retention in the Air Force, RAND Corporation (RR-2073-AF), 2018

Curry Hall, Kimberly, Kirsten M. Keller, David Schulker, Sarah Weilant, Katherine L. Kidder, and Nelson Lim, Improving Gender Diversity in the U.S. Coast Guard: Identifying Barriers to Female Retention, RAND Corporation (RR-2770-DHS), 2019

Keller, Kirsten M., Sean Robson, Kevin O'Neill, Paul Emslie, Lane F. Burgette, Lisa M. Harrington, and Dennis Curran, Promoting Airmen with the Potential to Lead: A Study of the Air Force Master Sergeant Promotion System, RAND Corporation (RR-581-AF), 2014

Keller, Kirsten M., Miriam Matthews, Kimberly Curry Hall, William Marcellino, Jacqueline A. Mauro, and Nelson Lim, Hazing in the U.S. Armed Forces: Recommendations for Hazing Prevention Policy and Practice, RAND Corporation (RR-941-OSD), 2015

Honors & Awards

Gold Merit Research Award, 2020, Rand Corporation
Gold Merit Research Award, 2014, Rand Corporation
RAND Project AIR FORCE Researcher Excellence Award , 2012, RAND Corporation

Publications

Multimedia
Keeping Up with the Joneses: How Can DoD Address Its Technical Talent Shortage?
The U.S. Department of Defense recognizes that it is struggling to recruit and retain the technical talent it needs. An October 2023 panel discussion examined the factors behind the department’s current shortage of technical talent.
Oct 30, 2023
Report
Attracting and Employing Top-Tier Civilian Technical Talent in the Department of the Air Force: A Comparison of Six Occupations with Other Federal Agencies and the Private Sector
This report identifies barriers related to the Department of the Air Force's (DAF's) ability to attract and employ top civilian talent in six occupational series and explores strategies the DAF may be able to use to better compete for that talent.
Jun 27, 2023
Report
Talent Management and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Private-Sector Organizations: A Qualitative Review of Promising Practices
Researchers reviewed academic literature and conducted interviews with private-sector organizations to identify promising practices in support of the Department of the Air Force's goal of building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce.
Feb 23, 2023
Report
Support to the DoD Cyber Workforce Zero-Based Review: Developing a Repeatable Process for Conducting ZBRs Within DoD
The zero-based review (ZBR) process described in this report constitutes a transparent, repeatable process with which the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) can conduct future ZBRs across the DoD cyber enterprise.
Sep 19, 2022
Commentary
Justice Must Go On: The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Military Court Operations
This Perspective provides a preliminary examination of how the coronavirus 2019 pandemic affected caseloads in the military justice system and how the system adapted its operations. It also offers several recommendations for possible future actions.
Sep 6, 2022
Report
Personnel Needs for Department of the Air Force Digital Talent: A Case Study of Software Factories
The authors conducted a case study to identify digital talent needs for the U.S. Department of the Air Force (DAF) in the area of software development by exploring DAF software factories that use modern and agile software development practices.
Mar 30, 2022
Report
U.S. Air Force Enlisted Classification and Reclassification: Potential Improvements Using Machine Learning and Optimization Models
The authors review options for improving processes for classifying and reclassifying enlisted active-duty, non–prior service airmen for initial skills training in the United States Air Force.
Mar 14, 2022
Commentary
Perspectives on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Department of the Air Force
This Perspective summarizes organizational, managerial, and procedural insights that RAND Project AIR FORCE has provided to Department of the Air Force leaders in recent years on critical diversity and personnel challenges facing the department.
Nov 22, 2021
Report
Survey Instrument to Assess the Prevalence of Hazing and Bullying in the Active-Duty U.S. Military
The authors describe the development and design of a survey instrument created to help the U.S. Department of Defense estimate the number of active-duty service members who experience hazing and bullying.
Oct 18, 2021
Report
Improving the Representation of Women and Racial/Ethnic Minorities Among U.S. Coast Guard Active-Duty Members
Researchers sought to identify the root causes of underrepresentation for women and members of racial/ethnic minority groups in the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as facilitators of and barriers to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Aug 11, 2021
Report
Department of the Air Force Civilian Compensation and Benefits: How Five Mission Critical and Hard-to-Fill Occupations Compare to the Private Sector and Key Federal Agencies
The authors examine U.S. Air Force civilian compensation for hard-to-fill and mission critical occupations, comparing it with other federal agencies and the private sector and providing recommendations for recruiting and retaining civilian talent.
Feb 10, 2021
Report
Human Aspects of Air Force Operations: The Roles of Social, Cultural, and Political Knowledge and Skills in the Full Spectrum of Multidomain Operations
The authors examine whether there is a need for a joint warfighting domain focused on human aspects of military operations and consider how sociocultural knowledge and skills could be better integrated into conventional Air Force operations.
Nov 30, 2020
Report
Advancement and Retention Barriers in the U.S. Air Force Civilian White Collar Workforce: Implications for Demographic Diversity
This report documents results of a study examining challenges that Air Force civilian women, racial/ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities may face in advancing to higher pay grades as well as factors influencing retention decisions.
Sep 3, 2020
Report
Improving Gender Diversity in the U.S. Coast Guard: Identifying Barriers to Female Retention
This report documents the results of a study designed to help identify the root causes of female attrition in the active-duty Coast Guard and develop recommendations to help mitigate identified barriers to Coast Guard female retention.
Mar 29, 2019
Research Brief
Why Do Women Leave the Coast Guard, and What Can Be Done to Encourage Them to Stay?
For active-duty women, many complex factors influence the decision to stay in or separate from the Coast Guard. This brief summarizes research on these factors and makes recommendations for improving female retention in the Coast Guard.
Mar 29, 2019
Report
A Survey System to Assess Abuse and Misconduct Toward Air Force Students in Occupational Specialty Training
This report provides recommendations for how the Air Force's survey system for monitoring abuse and misconduct in Basic Military Training can best be adapted for use in technical training and flying training environments.
Mar 5, 2019
Report
An Examination of Recruiting and Selection Practices to Promote Diversity for Colorado State Troopers
The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) seeks to better reflect the demographic representation of the state of Colorado. This report offers an exploratory examination of how CSP's recruiting and selection policies and procedures relate to that objective.
Feb 28, 2019
Report
Understanding Demographic Differences in Undergraduate Pilot Training Attrition
This report looks at demographic differences in U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training completion and presents challenges that women and racial and ethnic minorities might face in entering and completing the training.
Jul 19, 2018
Report
Addressing Barriers to Female Officer Retention in the Air Force
This report documents the results of a qualitative study designed to better understand the factors that female Air Force officers consider when deciding whether to remain in the active duty Air Force.
Apr 10, 2018
Report
Air Force Sexual Assault Situations, Settings, and Offender Behaviors
To assist Air Force efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assault, this report focuses on providing a better understanding of sexual assaults committed by airmen, including suspect characteristics and behaviors and risky situations and settings.
Apr 10, 2018
Tool
Hazing Prevention and Response: Training for Military Leaders
This instructor guide provides content for leading Hazing Prevention and Response: Training for Military Leaders, an adaptable, interactive class to aid hazing prevention and response, describing policies and strategies in support of such efforts.
Jul 24, 2017
Report
Diversity Leadership in the U.S. Department of Defense: Analysis of the Key Roles, Responsibilities, and Attributes of Diversity Leaders
This study identifies the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other personal characteristics needed in individuals who will be responsible for implementing strategic diversity plans in the U.S. Department of Defense.
Jul 28, 2016
Report
A Review of the Literature on Sexual Assault Perpetrator Characteristics and Behaviors
This report aims to assist the Air Force in its continued efforts to combat sexual assault perpetration within its ranks through an examination of the existing empirical literature on adult perpetrators who commit sexual assault against other adults.
Jan 5, 2016
Report
Hazing in the U.S. Armed Forces: Recommendations for Hazing Prevention Policy and Practice
This report addresses ways to improve the armed forces' definition of hazing, the effects of and motivations for hazing, how the armed forces can prevent and respond to hazing, and how the armed forces can improve the tracking of hazing incidents.
Aug 11, 2015
Report
An Integrated Survey System for Addressing Abuse and Misconduct Toward Air Force Trainees During Basic Military Training
RAND developed an integrated survey system to help the U.S. Air Force's Air Education and Training Command monitor and address abuse and misconduct by military training instructors toward trainees during Basic Military Training.
Jun 18, 2015
Report
Recommendations for Improving the Recruiting and Hiring of Los Angeles Firefighters
Reviews the Los Angeles Fire Department's hiring practices as of June 2014 and outlines a recommended new firefighter hiring process.
Jan 22, 2015
Report
Promoting Airmen with the Potential to Lead: A Study of the Air Force Master Sergeant Promotion System
Despite an evolving operational environment, the system for promoting airmen into the rank of master sergeant has not changed since it was developed more than 40 years ago. RAND researchers assessed the system and explored areas for improvement.
Nov 14, 2014
Report
Air Force Personnel Research: Recommendations for Improved Alignment
This document discusses how personnel research within the U.S. Air Force supports organizational policy decisions, the history of personnel research in the Air Force, and the present personnel research efforts and the organizations that house them.
Sep 15, 2014
Report
Facilitating Information Sharing Across the International Space Community: Lessons from Behavioral Science
Based on a review of relevant research literature, this report examines ways to encourage the space community to share information that will help its members navigate increasing numbers of satellites and space debris.
May 2, 2013
Report
Virtual Collaboration for a Distributed Enterprise
Addresses the challenges to team effectiveness caused by geographic diversity through an assessment of three modes of virtual collaboration.
Apr 22, 2013
Report
The Mix of Military and Civilian Faculty at the United States Air Force Academy: Finding a Sustainable Balance for Enduring Success
This report examines how changes to the military-civilian faculty composition at the United States Air Force Academy might affect cadets' officership and academic development, cost, staffing challenges, and officer career development.
Mar 15, 2013
Report
Increasing Organizational Diversity in 21st-Century Policing: Lessons from the U.S. Military
Discusses three lessons from the Military Leadership Diversity Commission that can inform police departments on issues related to workforce diversity. Gives specific suggestions on how to apply these lessons in the context of law enforcement.
Dec 10, 2012
Report
Identifying Barriers to Diversity in Law Enforcement Agencies
Describes how law enforcement agencies can use barrier analysis, a method of assessment aimed at identifying potential obstacles to obtaining resources or participating in a program, to better understand and address the challenge of creating diversity in their workforces.
Jul 26, 2012
Report
Workforce Development for Big-City Law Enforcement Agencies
Provides an overview of a RAND methodology for creating an effective workforce development system to better align personnel with current and future force requirements.
May 7, 2012
Report
The Use of Standardized Scores in Officer Career Management and Selection
This report reviews how standardized tests are used as part of a broader selection system for each of the services at different points in an officer's career and discusses key issues that should be considered when using such tests.
Mar 8, 2012