James Kajdasz

Alumni (MIDS 2019)

Focus

Psychology, National Security, Intelligence Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making

Specialization

Data Science
Information Policy
Product Management
Project Management

Biography

A military intelligence officer (now retired) and a social scientist, I have sought to leverage the overlap between these two disciplines. This led me to focus on the general methods and tools used to derive objective truth and meaning from information, and the broader question of how to best use information to inform decision making. This has motivated my choice in assignments and education opportunities throughout my working life. I see data science as a natural progression of my journey in learning how to make better use of data to inform decisions. 

My background includes a PhD in Quantitative Psychology from The Ohio State University, focusing on the psychology of Judgment and Decision Making, a Masters in Industrial Organizational Psychology from George Mason University, and 20 years as an intelligence officer putting academic theory to test on applied problems in the National Security domain. I've served as a faculty member at the United States Air Force Academy and the National Intelligence University.