Speaker

Nathan D. Ainspan, Ph.D. is the Research Psychologist with the Transition to Veterans Program Office (TVPO) of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. TVPO oversees the military-to-civilian transition process for the Department of Defense to ensure that all service members transitioning from military service are prepared for their next step into civilian life. Dr. Ainspan's role is to ensure that any future enhancement to the program are based on behavioral and psychological science and best practices.   He has also written, taught, and spoken about the psychological issues impacting wounded and transitioning Service members. His personal research focus has been on improving civilian employment opportunities for transitioning Service members, helping service members translate their skills and experience into civilian terms (and helping companies to understand them), and the psychosocial benefits that employment can have on wounded warriors, injured veterans and people with disabilities. He has edited the following books: The Oxford Handbook of Psychosocial Interventions for Veterans, When the Warrior Returns: Making the Transition at Home, and Returning Wars Wounded, Injured, and Ill:  A Handbook. Dr. Ainspan has also just begun editing the How to Hire and Retain Veterans: A Guidebook for Business Leaders and Human Resources Professionals for Oxford Press. He is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and a Fellow of APA Divisions 18 (Psychologists in the Public Service) and 19 (Military Psychology). He was recently awarded the Raymond A. Katzell Award by the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology which is presented to an industrial/organizational psychologist whose work has had a major and widespread impact on society's well-being that has reached a substantial part of the public.  He was also awarded the Psychologists in Public Service Distinguished Career Award from APA Division 18.