Russell Shilling

Dr. Russell Shilling is a distinguished multi-sector social impact innovator and education policy expert. He has extensive experience advising organizations on using cutting-edge technology initiatives to create evidence-based innovations in education and psychological health.

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Dr. Shilling's military background included serving as a Navy Captain, Navy Aerospace Experimental Psychologist, and a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program officer. He led groundbreaking work using advanced analytics to improve STEM education using games. He also explored AI and affective computing for enhancing psychological health. He created the first military research programs on virtual reality therapy for PTSD, now used in numerous Veterans Administration facilities. He also collaborated with Sesame Workshop to develop award-winning initiatives supporting military children coping with grief, injury, and separation. He was also an associate professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Naval Postgraduate School.

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Following his military service, Dr. Shilling served as the Executive Director of STEM Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Education during the Obama Administration. In this role, he helped coordinate STEM activities across federal agencies, White House OSTP, and the private sector.