Chad Tossell

Title
Professor and Chair
Email
Department
Dept of Human Factors, Safety and Social Sciences
College
College of Arts & Sciences
Chad Tossell

Dr. Chad Tossell (USAF, Retired) is professor of Human Factors and Department Chair for Human Factors, Safety & Social Sciences in the College of Arts & Sciences at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology (Human Factors/Human-Computer Interaction) from Rice University, an M.S. in Applied Psychology from Arizona State University and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Before joining Embry-Riddle, he founded and led the Human and Sociotechnical Systems Research Program at the University of Colorado Boulder, advancing research in human-machine teaming, cognitive security and distributed decision-making for space and defense applications. His research has been published in top scholarly outlets such as The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and featured in media outlets such as The Economist.

Dr. Tossell’s 25-year career in the U.S. Air Force spanned leadership roles in acquisitions, operations and the classroom, where he taught, practiced and advanced the field of human factors and readiness in defense. He served as Professor of Human Factors at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), earning the Outstanding Academy Educator Award in 2023. Dr. Tossell also directed the Warfighter Effectiveness Research Center (WERC), transforming it from a concept into a capability that elevated leader development, scholarship and cadet-mentored research programs in human-AI teaming, trust and ethical decision-making.

During his six years at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Dr. Tossell led basic and applied research portfolios, overseeing large-scale aviation, C4ISR and information operations programs. His work as a human factors analyst, program manager, team lead and branch chief was instrumental in advancing multiple technologies from early development to operational fielding.

Among other assignments, he deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Resolute Support, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for leadership in combat.

  • Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, Rice University
  • M.S. - Master of Science in Applied Psychology, Arizona State University