Maria C. Lytell

Senior Behavioral and Social Scientist

Washington Office

Education

Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

One Page Bio

Overview

Maria Lytell is a senior behavioral and social scientist at the RAND Corporation. Her work focuses on military personnel topics with recent examples including diversity, equity, and inclusion in the military, digital talent needs for the Department of Air Force, and staffing requirements for select Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security workforces. She previously served as Associate Director of the Personnel, Training, and Health Program in the RAND Arroyo Center and as a member on The National Academies of Sciences' Committee on the Consideration of Generational Issues in Workforce Management and Employment Practices. Before coming to RAND, her research and consulting experiences focused on topics such as sexual harassment, workplace mistreatment, organizational climate, and personnel selection. She received her master's degree and Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Research Focus

Previous Positions

Associate Director, RAND Arroyo Center Personnel, Training, and Health Program

Selected Publications

Keller, Kirsten M., Maria C. Lytell, and Shreyas Bharadwaj, Personnel Needs for Department of the Air Force Digital Talent: A Case Study of Software Factories, RAND Corporation (RR-A550-1), 2022

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

Lytell, Maria C., Kimberly Curry Hall, and Nelson Lim, Improving U.S. Military Accession Medical Screening Systems, RAND Corporation (RR-2780-OSD), 2019

Wenger, Jennie W., Maria C. Lytell, Kimberly Curry Hall, and Michael L. Hansen, Balancing Quality of Life with Mission Requirements: An Analysis of Personnel Tempo on U.S. Coast Guard Major Cutters, RAND Corporation (RR-2731-DHS), 2019

Lytell, Maria C., Sean Robson, David Schulker, Tracy C. Krueger, Miriam Matthews, Louis T. Mariano, and Albert A. Robbert, Training Success for U.S. Air Force Special Operations and Combat Support Specialties: An Analysis of Recruiting, Screening, and Development Processes, RAND Corporation (RR-2002-AF), 2018

Lytell, Maria C., Susan G. Straus, Chad C. Serena, Geoffrey E. Grimm, James L. Doty III, Jennie W. Wenger, Andrea M. Abler, Andrew M. Naber, Clifford A. Grammich, and Eric S. Fowler, Assessing Competencies and Proficiency of Army Intelligence Analysts Across the Career Life Cycle, RAND Corporation (RR-1851-A), 2017

Lytell, Maria C., Kirsten M. Keller, Beth Katz, Jefferson P. Marquis, and Jerry M. Sollinger, Diversity Leadership in the U.S. Department of Defense: Analysis of the Key Roles, Responsibilities, and Attributes of Diversity Leaders, RAND Corporation (RR-1148-OSD), 2016

Lytell, Maria C., Kenneth Kuhn, Abigail Haddad, Jefferson P. Marquis, Nelson Lim, Kimberly Curry Hall, Robert Stewart, and Jennie W. Wenger, Force Drawdowns and Demographic Diversity: Investigating the Impact of Force Reductions on the Demographic Diversity of the U.S. Military, RAND Corporation (RR-1008-OSD), 2015

Honors & Awards

Best-in-Track Award (Research) at the 10th Annual Blended Learning Conference and Workshop, Sloan Consortium
Member, Committee on the Consideration of Generational Issues in Workforce Management and Employment Practices, The National Academies of Sciences

Publications

Report
Retention of Racial-Ethnic Minorities in the Regular Army
To help the Army accomplish its diversity goals, RAND Arroyo Center examined retention of racial-ethnic minorities in the Regular Army's enlisted and officer ranks and how racial-ethnic composition changes as soldiers progress in their careers.
Nov 30, 2023
Research Brief
Striving for Diversity: Observations on Racial and Ethnic Talent in the Regular Army's Senior Officer Corps
This brief discusses research on the progression of racial and ethnic minority officers through the ranks and ways to improve promotion rates to increase diversity in senior Army leadership.
Nov 30, 2023
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
Demographic Diversity of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Workforce in the U.S. Department of Defense: Analysis of Compensation and Employment Outcomes
The authors examine compensation differences for gender, racial, and ethnic groups in the Department of Defense civilian science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workforce and explore ways to address these differences.
Apr 27, 2023
Report
Talent Management and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Department of the Air Force: Qualitative Review of Programs, Practices, and Partnerships
Researchers conduct a qualitative literature review and interviews with subject-matter experts to identify the Department of the Air Force's existing and planned efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in its military force.
Mar 9, 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
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
Report
Tailoring Medical Standards for Air Force Personnel
To serve in the U.S. military, individuals must meet medical standards to ensure that they are fit to serve. The authors explore the implications to U.S. Air Force culture of tailoring such standards to expand or limit the pool of qualified personnel.
Apr 8, 2021
Report
A Review of the Air Force Fitness Assessment
This report presents an overview of research relevant to U.S. Air Force fitness assessment components to ensure readiness of personnel, support the National Defense Strategy, and promote a culture of health and well-being across the U.S. Air Force.
Apr 6, 2021
Report
Compensation and Benefits for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Workers: A Comparison of the Federal Government and the Private Sector
The authors compare salary, benefits, and employment for federal and private-sector workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). They analyze data, present findings on STEM and non-STEM workers, and make recommendations.
Jan 19, 2021
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
Software Acquisition Workforce Initiative for the Department of Defense: Initial Competency Development and Preparation for Validation
To support U.S. Department of Defense goals to improve software acquisition, the authors develop a competency model, review training and education courses, and present options for tracking and managing the software acquisition workforce.
Mar 31, 2020
Report
Physical Task Simulations: Performance Measures for the Validation of Physical Tests and Standards for Battlefield Airmen
This report describes RAND's assistance to the Air Force in designing physical task simulations to evaluate the physical capabilities required to perform critical physical tasks in six battlefield airmen occupational specialties.
Feb 20, 2020
Report
Improving U.S. Military Accession Medical Screening Systems
The project team outlined advantages and disadvantages of the two main systems for medically screening applicants to the U.S. armed forces and recommended a hybrid model as potentially more effective and efficient.
Oct 24, 2019
Report
Balancing Quality of Life with Mission Requirements: An Analysis of Personnel Tempo on U.S. Coast Guard Major Cutters
The authors analyze how U.S. Coast Guard servicemembers serving on major cutters respond to various levels of personnel tempo, as well as the effects of working conditions on these responses.
Jul 29, 2019
Report
Evaluation of the Strength Aptitude Test and Other Fitness Tests to Qualify Air Force Recruits for Physically Demanding Specialties
This report evaluates the Strength Aptitude Test and related fitness tests to identify strategies for ensuring airmen can meet job-related physical requirements.
Aug 10, 2018
Report
Training Success for U.S. Air Force Special Operations and Combat Support Specialties: An Analysis of Recruiting, Screening, and Development Processes
This report addresses challenges for implementing new approaches to Air Force high-demand, high-attrition specialty recruiting, screening, and development processes, and takes a holistic approach to identifying methods to fill gaps in processes.
May 15, 2018
Report
Retaining the Army's Cyber Expertise
Soldiers in the Army's Cyber career field require extensive training, and Army leadership is concerned that they will be lured away by lucrative civilian jobs. This report describes findings to inform the Army's retention strategy for these soldiers.
Sep 18, 2017
Report
Assessing Competencies and Proficiency of Army Intelligence Analysts Across the Career Life Cycle
This report describes the development and implementation of a process to assess key analytic competencies and proficiency of the U.S. Army's analysts in the 35F military occupational specialty and the design of a protocol for ongoing evaluation.
Jul 27, 2017
Report
Fit for Duty? Evaluating the Physical Fitness Requirements of Battlefield Airmen
Describes a methodology for establishing physical fitness standards for four Air Force occupational specialties, as part of a broader Air Force effort to measure the physical readiness of airmen to perform their jobs.
May 9, 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
Force Drawdowns and Demographic Diversity: Investigating the Impact of Force Reductions on the Demographic Diversity of the U.S. Military
In 2012, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced plans for a large reduction of its military force, which could have unintended consequences for demographic diversity. RAND analyzes how force reductions could affect demographic diversity in DoD.
Oct 26, 2015
Research Brief
Implications of Force Drawdowns for Demographic Diversity
The Department of Defense (DoD) has been conducting a large reduction of its military force. DoD drawdown policies that target certain groups (by experience, specialty, or aptitude) could have adverse effects on demographic diversity.
Oct 26, 2015
Report
Human Resource Practices for Labor Inspectorates in Developing Countries
This review highlights the state of knowledge about the conditions, competencies, and incentives needed for labor inspectors in developing countries to successfully carry out their work.
Dec 15, 2014
Report
Strength Testing in the Air Force: Current Processes and Suggestions for Improvements
Examines the usefulness, validity, and fairness of the Air Force's Strength Aptitude Test, with a focus on its implementation at military entrance processing stations and the process for setting strength requirements for career fields.
Dec 5, 2014
Report
Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills for Army Leaders Using Blended-Learning Methods
This report assesses the effectiveness of the Command and General Staff School's Advanced Operations Course for junior field-grade officers when taught in a blended distributed learning environment.
Jul 17, 2013
Report
The Extent of Restrictions on the Service of Active-Component Military Women
To support a congressionally mandated review of gender-based assignment restrictions in the U.S. military, RAND researchers described and quantified the positions that are closed to women in each of the services.
May 21, 2012
Report
Incentive Pay for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Career Fields
An econometric assessment of the effectiveness of incentive pays for retaining remotely piloted aircraft pilots and sensor operators.
Mar 6, 2012
Report
Information Systems Technician Rating Stakeholders: Implications for Effective Performance
Discusses the relationships among stakeholders involved in manpower, personnel, and training processes for managing the U.S. Navy information systems technician rating.
Nov 18, 2011