Scott Savitz

Scott Savitz is a Senior Engineer and Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND Corporation, affiliated with the RAND School of Public Policy. His work bridges engineering and national security policy, focusing on defense innovation, maritime operations, and strategic foresight for U.S. and allied military services.

• Institution: RAND Corporation
• School: RAND School of Public Policy
• Academic Rank: Professor
• Email: Scott_Savitz@rand.org

Education:

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Yale University
• M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania

Research Interests:
Scott Savitz’s research centers on enhancing military effectiveness through advanced technologies and adaptive strategies. He specializes in modeling and simulation, threat assessment, and operational analysis for the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force. His expertise includes uncrewed systems, non-lethal weapons, Arctic security, gray-zone competition, and maritime domain awareness. He frequently analyzes historical military cases to inform modern strategy, particularly in naval warfare and asymmetric defense.

Recent Research Trends:
His recent publications highlight a strong focus on the transformative role of uncrewed maritime systems in future naval warfare, strategic competition with China—especially regarding Taiwan—and the need for enhanced U.S. military capabilities in the Arctic. He also explores how non-lethal weapons and intermediate force capabilities can be better assessed and integrated into military planning and wargaming.

Scientific Awards:
No specific awards or fellowships are mentioned in the provided text.

Advising and Grants:
While no formal students are listed, Savitz has led numerous high-impact research projects for U.S. and allied defense agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard’s Project Evergreen, analyses of Royal Australian and Brazilian Navy strategies, and assessments for NATO. His work often involves developing frameworks for investment prioritization, capability assessment, and strategic foresight, indicating substantial grant and contract funding from defense and homeland security entities.

Labs and Teams:
Scott Savitz operates within RAND’s national security research division, contributing to interdisciplinary teams focused on defense technology, policy analysis, and strategic planning. He has led analytical efforts involving modeling and simulation, wargaming, and scenario development, often in collaboration with military commands and international partners.