Abbie Tingstad

Associate Research Department Director, Engineering and Applied Sciences Department, co-Director, Climate Resilience Center, Senior Physical Scientist

Off Site Office

Education

Ph.D. in geography, University of California, Los Angeles; M.Sc. in environmental geomorphology, University of Oxford; B.S. in mathematics, MIT

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

Abbie Tingstad is associate director of the Engineering and Applied Sciences Department, codirector of the Climate Resilience Center, and a senior physical scientist at the RAND Corporation. Her research focuses on issues related to strategy and planning in defense and homeland security, and for the environment. Some examples of recent research include: examining different pathways for Arctic development, analyzing software update needs for Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations, and developing methods for foresight activities.

Tingstad received her Ph.D. in geography from the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to that, she was awarded an M.Sc. in environmental geomorphology from the University of Oxford, and a B.S. in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Research Focus

Recent Media Appearances

Interviews: Defense One

Commentary

Should Communities Be Concerned About Digital Technologies to Fight COVID-19?
Personal smart devices offer an unprecedented opportunity to identify, track, map, and communicate about COVID-19. But apps could pose privacy and security concerns.
May 13, 2020 Inside Sources
Today's Arctic Diplomacy Can't Handle Tomorrow's Problems
The international structures that have helped address many Arctic problems through negotiation and cooperation are insufficient for the military and security challenges brought on by climate change. A new forum is needed to address military and security issues in the region.
Jan 29, 2020 Defense One
Policy Challenges in the Arctic: Q&A with Abbie Tingstad
Abbie Tingstad discusses how the opening of the Arctic by climate change could strain relationships among Arctic nations, how these changes will affect indigenous communities, and what to make of Russia's military buildup in the region.
Oct 6, 2017
What Does 'America First' Look Like in the Arctic?
The shift in U.S. climate policy away from greenhouse gas reduction is significant for the Arctic, which is experiencing global warming at an accelerated rate. And a recent executive order will pave the way for expanded oil and gas drilling. How will these changes shape the Arctic in years to come?
May 25, 2017 United Press International
Will the Breakdown in U.S.-Russia Cooperation Reach the Arctic?
Over the last few decades, the U.S. and Russia have often found common ground on Arctic affairs, at least in such areas as search and rescue and environmental integrity. The Arctic has the potential to remain resistant to tensions building elsewhere.
Oct 12, 2016 Inside Sources
Being Safer in the Arctic
The Arctic is more accessible than it once was, but it's still a formidable place to travel. An emergency involving a cruise ship or a downed plane could stress the search-and-rescue system. But modest investments and planning measures can make a big difference.
Oct 3, 2016 The National Interest
Will the Arctic Remain a Warm Spot in Chilly U.S.-Russia Relations?
The United States should continue with its policy of engagement with Russia within Arctic institutions. This is the only way to keep building on a track record of successful agreements that make the Arctic safer for all.
Apr 28, 2016 U.S. News & World Report

Publications

Report
Technology Innovation and the Future of Air Force Intelligence Analysis: Volume 2, Technical Analysis and Supporting Material
The authors recommend tools, technologies, and processes to address the growing demand for Air Force Distributed Common Ground System support as it relates to intelligence squadrons within the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing.
Jan 27, 2021
Report
Technology Innovation and the Future of Air Force Intelligence Analysis: Volume 1, Findings and Recommendations
There is growing demand for the Air Force Distributed Common Ground System to analyze sensor data. The authors assessed how new tools and technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, can help meet these demands.
Jan 27, 2021
Research Brief
The Department of Defense's Posture for Artificial Intelligence: Assessment and Recommendations for Improvement
In this report, RAND Corporation researchers assess the state of artificial intelligence relevant to the U.S. Department of Defense and provide recommendations for the future of the department's artificial intelligence posture.
Jan 26, 2021
Report
The U.S. Coast Guard Is Building an Icebreaker Fleet: What Comes Next? Issues and Challenges
Icebreaking has long been an important capability gap in U.S. polar operations. The authors of this Perspective make recommendations for the U.S. Coast Guard to close that gap and include short scenarios to illustrate potential needs for icebreakers.
Dec 8, 2020
Report
Recovery Planning for Natural Resources and Parks in Puerto Rico: Natural and Cultural Resources Sector Report, Volume I
The 2017 hurricanes harmed Puerto Rico's natural resources. Recommended courses of action, detailed in this report, would restore natural resources, manage solid waste, renew parks, and improve economic opportunities. Damage is characterized.
Sep 30, 2020
Report
How Can the Coast Guard Use Gaming?
The U.S. Coast Guard employs some gaming approaches, but doing so more formally could help the service expand its tool sets. In this Perspective, the authors discuss how the service can use gaming better.
Sep 9, 2020
Report
Decoding Data Science: The U.S. Coast Guard's Evolving Needs and Their Implications
This Perspective outlines the role that data science can play in decisionmaking processes and provides a selected set of key questions and sensitivities for the U.S. Coast Guard to consider in developing its future usage of this expanding field.
Jun 24, 2020
Report
Developing New Future Scenarios for the U.S. Coast Guard's Evergreen Strategic Foresight Program
The U.S. Coast Guard's Evergreen strategic foresight initiative works to identify emerging service challenges that require focus in the near term. This report describes an approach to developing future scenarios to aid in that process.
May 27, 2020
Report
The Department of Defense Posture for Artificial Intelligence: Assessment and Recommendations
In this report, the authors assess the state of artificial intelligence (AI) relevant to DoD, conduct an independent assessment of the Department of Defense's posture in AI, and put forth a set of recommendations to enhance that posture.
Dec 17, 2019
Testimony
Climate Change and U.S. Security in the Arctic
Testimony presented before the House Homeland Security Committee, Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security on September 19, 2019.
Sep 19, 2019
Testimony
Anticipating Policy Options for Addressing U.S. Arctic Hurdles: Addendum
Document submitted on June 19, 2019, as an addendum to testimony before the House Transportation and InfrastructureCommittee, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation on May 8, 2019.
Jun 20, 2019
Testimony
Anticipating Policy Options for Addressing U.S. Arctic Hurdles
Testimony presented before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation on May 8, 2019.
May 8, 2019
Testimony
Climate, Geopolitics, and Change in the Arctic
Testimony presented before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development of the Canadian House of Commons on November 26, 2018.
Nov 26, 2018
Report
The Future of Arctic Cooperation in a Changing Strategic Environment: Insights from a Scenario-Based Exercise Organised by RAND and Hosted by NUPI
This Perspective summarises the results of a table-top exercise on factors that could upset Arctic cooperation in the 2020 decade. While this exercise confirmed the solidity of cooperation, it also identified "wild cards" that could create tensions.
May 8, 2018
Report
Identifying Potential Gaps in U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Capabilities
This report documents a research project that focused on identifying priority potential Arctic capability gaps with respect to U.S. Coast Guard operations in the region in the present and in the 2030s.
Apr 11, 2018
Journal Article
Demonstrating the Applicability of a Robust Decision Making (RDM) to Conservation Decision-Making Under Uncertain Future Climate: Pilot Study Using the Northern Pygmy Salamander (Desmognathus Organi)
This study suggests initial ideas for managing climate uncertainty in conservation planning. Differences with previous RDM applications include focus on finer scale geography and significantly more uncertainty in the system (species response) model.
Oct 3, 2017
Report
Maintaining Arctic Cooperation with Russia: Planning for Regional Change in the Far North
This report examines security challenges that could alter Russia's current cooperative stance in the Arctic, explores how these could undermine Arctic cooperation, and offers recommendations for the U.S. government to manage risks to cooperation.
Mar 2, 2017
Report
Expanding Flight Research: Capabilities, Needs, and Management Options for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate
NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate asked RAND to assess flight research capabilities and needs, and to identify management options that would facilitate increased and improved flight research.
Jun 27, 2016
Report
Leveraging the Past to Prepare for the Future of Air Force Intelligence Analysis
This report describes steps the U.S. Air Force can take to help ensure that it has the capability needed to provide intelligence analysis support to a broad range of service and combatant commander needs.
Apr 27, 2016
Journal Article
A ~ 13,000-Year Paleolimnological Record from the Uinta Mountains, Utah, Inferred from Diatoms and Loss-On-Ignition Analysis
Paleolimnological research in mountainous regions of the Western United States provide baseline understanding of how these lake systems will respond to ongoing climate change.
Apr 1, 2011
Journal Article
Long-term Relationships Between Ocean Variability and Water Resources in Northeastern Utah
Examines 20th Century hydrology in the Uinta Mountains region in the context of previous centuries as well as possible relationships with Pacific and Atlantic Ocean variability using new tree-ring based reconstructions for streamflow and snowpack.
Oct 1, 2010