Nita Shattuck

Nita Shattuck is a Professor at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), where she has served since 2000, progressing from Assistant Research Professor to Associate Professor, and currently as Professor since 2017. Her work focuses on human performance in military contexts, particularly crew endurance, sleep patterns, and operational effectiveness in naval environments.

Dr. Shattuck's research interests encompass human performance (individual and team), shiftwork, crew endurance and resilience, circadian rhythms, decision making, and trust in automation. Her work bridges the gap between sleep science and operational military requirements, with a particular emphasis on how sleep patterns affect performance in naval settings.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on practical applications of sleep science in military operations. Her research consistently examines how work-rest schedules, light exposure, and environmental factors impact sailor performance and well-being. Key themes include circadian-based watchbills, fatigue management in maritime transportation, and the relationship between sleep quality and operational effectiveness across different naval roles and ranks.

• 2022 - William E. Collins Award Outstanding Human Factors Publication of the Year, Aerospace Human Factors Association
• 2018 - Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, Secretary of the Navy
• 2013 - Surface Navy Association Literary Award
• 2008 - Roland Calori Award for Best Paper, Organizational Studies Journal
• 2007 - 'Jimmie' Hamilton Award for Best Paper from the American Society of Naval Engineers
• 2006 - Gary F. Wheatley Award for Best Paper, International Command and Control Research and Technology

Dr. Shattuck has led numerous significant research projects examining work and rest patterns across various military contexts, including studies on US Navy Sailors aboard multiple ships, longitudinal research with US Military Academy Cadets at West Point, and assessments of sleep patterns in Marine Corps Embassy Security Guards worldwide. Her work has directly influenced policy, including documentation of improvements in sleep and morale following adoption of novel watchbills in the White House President's Emergency Operations Center.

As part of the Crew Endurance team at NPS, Dr. Shattuck collaborates with researchers like Panagiotis Matsangas to develop practical solutions for improving sailor performance and well-being through optimized watchstanding schedules and fatigue management strategies. Her research group conducts both laboratory and operational field studies to translate sleep science into actionable military applications.