N. Peter Whitehead

Peter Whitehead is a Senior Engineer and Professor of Policy Analysis at RAND, affiliated with the RAND School of Public Policy and the Pardee RAND Graduate School. His work integrates systems engineering with national security, artificial intelligence, and public policy.

Research Interests: His expertise spans systems engineering, digital engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, operations research, and national security. He also explores ethical dimensions of AI, risk analysis, and military resilience through simulation and wargaming.

The trend in his recent publications (2020–2025) reflects a growing focus on the intersection of technology and policy, particularly in defense innovation, AI applications in military contexts, supply chain security, and digital engineering. His work emphasizes decision support tools, systems thinking, and the societal implications of emerging technologies.

Scientific Contributions:

• Developed frameworks for digital engineering cost-benefit analysis
• Explored AI-enabled wargaming and tactical decision-making
• Assessed geopolitical risks in semiconductor supply chains
• Designed tools for technology protection in the DoD
• Advanced methods for military prevention capability evaluation

Advising and Grants: While no formal advisees are listed, his role as Professor of Policy Analysis at Pardee RAND Graduate School implies involvement in mentoring graduate students. His research is largely funded by defense and policy-related grants, particularly from the U.S. Army and Department of Defense, supporting work in modeling, simulation, supply chain risk, and technology protection.

Labs and Teams: He collaborates within RAND’s interdisciplinary research teams focused on national security, emerging technologies, and public policy. His work often involves joint efforts between engineers, policy analysts, and military operators, especially in wargaming and simulation experiments.