Eric V. Larson

Eric V. Larson
Senior Policy Researcher; Professor of Policy Analysis, Pardee-RAND Graduate School
Santa Monica Office

Education

Ph.D. and M.Phil. in policy analysis, RAND Graduate School; A.B. in political science, University of Michigan

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

Eric V. Larson is a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation with over 30 years of government and research experience in national security, defense. foreign affairs, intelligence, and homeland security analysis, including influence operations, the analysis of extremist and conspiratorial movements, public opinion and media analysis, and the application of advanced methodologies and technologies to policy analysis.

Prior to joining RAND, Larson worked in the Executive Office of the President (1980–83), at the National Security Council Staff (1983–87), and at the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA, 1987–89). 

Larson’s recent publications include: U.S. Army North in the Hurricane Maria Response, 2020; Force Planning Scenarios, 1945–2016: Their Origins and Use in Defense Strategic Planning, 2019; Social Media and the Army: Implications for Outreach and Recruiting, 2019; Defense Planning in a Time of Conflict, 2018; Evaluating the Army's Ability to Regenerate: History and Future Options, 2017; Convergent and Divergent U.S.-China Interests: Designing “Win-Win” Portfolios, 2016; Considerations for Integrating Women into Closed Occupations in U.S. Special Operations Forces, 2016; Closing the Strategy-Policy Gap in Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, 2014; Understanding and Influencing Public Support for Insurgency and Terrorism, RAND, 2012; China and India, 2025: A Comparative Assessment, RAND, 2011; “Al Qaeda's Propaganda: A Shifting Battlefield,” in The Long Shadow of 9/11, RAND, 2011, Assessing Irregular Warfare, RAND, 2009; and Foundations of Effective Influence Operations, RAND, 2009.

He earned an M.Phil and Ph.D. in policy analysis from the RAND Graduate School, and an A.B. in political science from the University of Michigan.

Recent Projects

  • U.S. Army North in the Hurricane Maria Response
  • Force Planning Scenarios, 1945-2016
  • Defense Planning in a Time of Conflict
  • Leveraging Technology to Enhance the Effectiveness of Army Recruiting by Connecting with America's Youth
  • Considerations for Integrating Women Into Closed Occupations in the U.S. Special Operations Forces

Recent Media Appearances

Interviews: ABC; Chicago Tribune; China Jiangsu TV; Christian Science Monitor; Financial Times; The Guardian; Los Angeles Times; NBC; New York Times; Newsday; Reuters; Salon; Taiwan Central News Agency; Wall Street Journal; Washington Post; Yazhou Zhoukan (China)

Publications