Susan A. Resetar

Senior Operations Researcher

Washington Office

Education

A.B. in mathematics and economics, Cornell University; M. Eng. in operations research, University of California Berkeley

One Page Bio

Overview

Susan Resetar (she/her) is a senior operations researcher with over 25 years of public policy research at the RAND Corporation, working in the areas of strategic planning, climate and environmental policy, disaster management and recovery, climate change risks to critical infrastructure and national security, natural and cultural resources, and manpower and personnel management. Resetar has worked closely with clients in the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, White House Office Science Technology Policy, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Energy.

Research Focus

Commentary

Employment and Unemployment

Arts Policy During the Pandemic: What Are We Measuring, and What Can We Know?
Few data sources exist for the labor market for artists. Of the sources that do exist, each measures a different piece of a larger puzzle. Those studying the arts labor market will have to grapple with which data source to use and how “the arts” should be defined before undertaking any analysis.
Mar 8, 2021
The RAND Blog
Humanities and the Arts

The Pandemic Is a Disaster for Artists
The arts as we know them are likely to be shut down for the foreseeable future, and the vast majority of artists have likely lost some or all of their income. How many artists are out of work, and what could be done to help them?
Aug 4, 2020
The RAND Blog
Humanities and the Arts

Arts and Cultural Workers Are Especially Vulnerable to the Pandemic
Workers in the arts and cultural industries could be especially vulnerable to the economic shocks of COVID-19. As the United States reopens and decides its future, it should recognize these vulnerabilities, as well as the benefits that the arts and cultural industries offer.
Jul 23, 2020
The RAND Blog

Publications

Report
Climate and Readiness: Understanding Climate Vulnerability of U.S. Joint Force Readiness
Maintaining and even increasing force readiness in light of changing climate threats is a key part of meeting high-level U.S. strategic goals. In this report, researchers describe a study they conducted to develop links between climate and readiness.
May 24, 2023
Research Brief
Activities and Results from U.S. Coast Guard Project Evergreen V
This brief summarizes the findings of U.S. Coast Guard Project Evergreen V, part of a long-term strategic planning effort to identify emerging challenges and future trends that might alter demand for missions and the ability to perform them.
Nov 30, 2022
Report
USCG Project Evergreen V: Compilation of Activities and Summary of Results
This report summarizes the findings of Evergreen V, the most recent iteration of an ongoing U.S. Coast Guard initiative aimed at identifying emerging challenges and future trends so that senior leaders can plan for the long term.
Nov 30, 2022
Tool
Climate Adaptation Strategies for National Critical Functions
This tool presents climate adaptation strategies for a set of National Critical Functions (NCFs) that are capable of mitigating the risks posed by climate change.
Jul 28, 2022
Report
Streamlining Emergency Management: Issues, Impacts, and Options for Improvement
Researchers sought ways to streamline, simplify, and strengthen the U.S. emergency management system, assessing how overlap, duplication, and fragmentation could affect implementation and outcomes. They propose options and discuss trade-offs of each.
Jun 24, 2022
Multimedia
Climate Change and Implications for Disasters in the United States: Examples from the Arctic, Caribbean, Northeast, and Gulf States
Climate change is contributing to more frequent and more severe disasters. Researchers examine disaster risk from climate change to the Arctic, the Caribbean, the Northeast, and the Gulf states.
Jun 10, 2022
Journal Article
Remote Sensing for Natural Disaster Recovery: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico
We present how remote sensing data was incorporated into the assessment and planning process, focusing on the applications for Puerto Rico's natural resources in the months following the hurricanes.
Jun 1, 2022
Report
Shaping Coast Guard Culture to Enhance the Future Workforce
This Perspective describes organizational culture, observations made in strategic-foresight workshops, examples of other organizations addressing culture issues, and how the U.S. Coast Guard can use this information in shaping its future workforce.
Nov 1, 2021
Report
Recovery in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Progress, Challenges, and Options for the Future
This report provides analysis to help the U.S. Virgin Islands accelerate recovery from the 2017 hurricanes. It describes goals, accomplishments, challenges, and steps needed to improve recovery capacities, infrastructure, the economy, and services.
Nov 11, 2020
Report
Recovery Planning for Natural Resources and Parks in Puerto Rico: Natural and Cultural Resources Sector Report, Volume I
The 2017 hurricanes harmed Puerto Rico's natural resources. Recommended courses of action, detailed in this report, would restore natural resources, manage solid waste, renew parks, and improve economic opportunities. Damage is characterized.
Sep 30, 2020
Report
Cultural and Historical Resources Recovery Planning in Puerto Rico: Natural and Cultural Resources Sector Report, Volume II
Many of Puerto Rico's cultural resources were devastated in Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The authors discuss their importance, the damage they endured immediately after the storms, and detail recovery actions in Puerto Rico's recovery plan.
Sep 30, 2020
Report
Air Force Manpower Determinants: Options for More-Responsive Processes
The authors examine the process the Air Force uses to determine manpower requirements, compare it with processes used in other services and organizations, and evaluate options for increasing the efficiency of the Air Force process.
Jun 25, 2020
Report
Developing New Future Scenarios for the U.S. Coast Guard's Evergreen Strategic Foresight Program
The U.S. Coast Guard's Evergreen strategic foresight initiative works to identify emerging service challenges that require focus in the near term. This report describes an approach to developing future scenarios to aid in that process.
May 27, 2020
Report
U.S. Coast Guard Workforce 2040: Better Management Through Transparency
This Perspective describes several ways in which the U.S. Coast Guard can effectively recruit and retain its future workforce by providing greater transparency in personnel management practices, inspired by a U.S. Coast Guard Evergreen V workshop.
May 18, 2020
Journal Article
Guidebook for Multi-Agency Collaboration for Sustainability and Resilience
This guidebook provides a framework and practical advice for how to establish and sustain multi-agency collaborations that seek to address wide-ranging comprehensive policy objectives.
Mar 11, 2020
Report
Manpower Alternatives to Enhance Total Force Capabilities: Could New Forms of Reserve Service Help Alleviate Military Shortfalls?
Changes in employment stability, family structure, and economic pressures have created challenges for the U.S. military reserve component. Modifying assumptions about Reserve duty can improve recruitment, performance, development, and retention.
Sep 11, 2019
Draft
An Initial Look at DoD's Activities Toward Climate Change Resiliency: An Annotated Bibliography
Presents a draft annotated bibliography of select government reports issued within the last five years on how DoD is planning and preparing for the effects of a changing climate.
Sep 8, 2016
Report
Military Installation Public-to-Public Partnerships: Lessons from Past and Current Experiences
This report explores the value in defense installations working with municipalities and other government organizations to create public-to-public partnerships. It also identifies and suggests ways to overcome barriers to cost-effective application.
Jul 12, 2016
Report
Water Management, Partnerships, Rights, and Market Trends: An Overview for Army Installation Managers
This report assesses water management, partnerships, rights, and market trends and opportunities, and how Army installations can potentially use them to improve programs and investments in water and wastewater systems.
Apr 5, 2016
Research Brief
The Thin Green Line: Buffering the Nation's Military Bases
This research brief summarizes research on the effectiveness of the DoD Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative in helping military installations develop partnerships to address encroachment with buffering projects on nonmilitary lands.
Jun 27, 2007
Report
The Thin Green Line: An Assessment of DoD's Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative to Buffer Installation Encroachment
This monograph assesses the effectiveness of DoD's Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative in helping military installations develop partnerships to address encroachment with buffering projects on non-military lands.
May 13, 2007
Report
Next Generation Environmental Technologies: Benefits and Barriers
Examines the potential of Next Generation Environmental Technologies, which reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous materials in manufacturing processes and products.
2003
Report
Systems of Innovation Within Public and Private Organizations: Case Studies and Options for the EPA: Executive Summary
Systems of Innovation Within Public and Private Organizations: Case Studies and Options for the EPA Executive Summary
2003
Report
Systems of Innovation Within Public and Private Organizations: Case Studies and Options for the EPA: Appendices
Systems of Innovation Within Public and Private Organizations: Case Studies and Options for the EPA Appendices
2003
Report
Systems of Innovation Within Public and Private Organizations: Case Studies and Options for the EPA
Systems of Innovation Within Public and Private Organizations: Case Studies and Options for the EPA
2003
Report
Final Assembly and Checkout Alternatives for the Joint Strike Fighter
Analyzes alternative strategies for final assembly and checkout of the Joint Strike Fighter.
Apr 29, 2002
Report
Implementing Proactive Environmental Management: Lessons Learned from Best Commercial Practice
Summarize how commercial firms have implemented proactive environmental management in weapon system design, logistics, base management, and environmental cleanup, then draw implications for DoD's environmental management efforts in these areas.
2001
Report
Integrated Facility Environmental Management Approaches: Lessons from Industry for Department of Defense Facilities
Commercial facilities have discovered that pursuing integrated, facility wide approaches to environmental management is good for the environment and makes good business sense.
2001
Report
Anticipating Technological Change: Combinatorial Chemistry and the Environment
Anticipating Technological Change: Combinatorial Chemistry and the Environment
2001
Report
Technology Forces at Work: Profiles of Environmental Research and Development at DuPont, Intel, Monsanto, and Xerox: Executive Summary
Technology Forces at Work: Profiles of Environmental Research and Development at DuPont, Intel, Monsanto, and Xerox
1999
Report
Forest Monitoring and Remote Sensing: A Survey of Accomplishments and Opportunities for the Future
Forest Monitoring and Remote Sensing: A Survey of Accomplishments and Opportunities for the Future
1999
Report
Technology Forces at Work: Profiles of Environmental Research and Development at DuPont, Intel, Monsanto, and Xerox
Not too long ago industry almost monolithically viewed environmental considerations as an expense — sometimes as a nuisance. That is beginning to change.
1999
Report
Environmental Management in Design: Lessons from Volvo and Hewlett-Packard for the Department of Defense
The authors of this report concentrate on two corporations -- Volvo and Hewlett-Packard -- to identify the key factors that led to successful implementation of a design-for-environment program.
1998
Draft
A Conceptual Framework and Preliminary Observations for Assessing Military Aerospace Design and Development Capability
The purpose of this research is to provide a conceptual framework to analyze the future of Air Force Industrial Base R&D Activities.
Mar 1, 1995
Report
Technology for a Sustainable Future — Ideas: A Summary of Workshop Discussions
Presents a summary analysis of stakeholder input gathered from a series of technical workshops and broader policy symposia regarding the development of a National Environmental Technology Strategy.
1995
Report
A System Description of the Cocaine Trade
This report documents a computer spreadsheet-based 'systems description' for the cocaine trade that is a combination of database and analytical tool.
1994
Report
Estimating the cost of advanced technology
This paper contains the four presentations that made up the "Estimating the Cost of Advanced Technology" session of the 30th Annual Joint National Meeting of the Operations Research Society of America and the Institute of Management Sciences, held Oc...
1992
Report
Advanced Airframe Structural Materials: A Primer and Cost Estimating Methodology
This report identifies, describes, and quantifies the cost effects of structural materials that are likely to be incorporated into aircraft becoming operational in the 1990s.
1991
Report
Health Risk from a Coal Tar Disposal Site
This report is part of a series that develops and applies a general methodology for assessing the chronic health risks of toxic pollutant emissions. It applies the general framework and the computer program WTRISK to a study of a coal tar disposal site.
May 1, 1988
Report
Health Risks of Toxic Emissions from a Coal-Fired Power Plant
This report is the fifth in a series dealing with the human health risks of toxic substances emitted by coal-fired power plants.
Jul 1, 1987
Report
A Case Study of Beryllium Emissions from a Coal-Fired Power Plant
This Note broadens that case study of selenium emissions to include beryllium discharges from the power plant.
Aug 1, 1986
Report
A Case Study of Selenium Emissions from a Coal-Fired Power Plant
This Note discusses the application of the WTRISK computer program to a case study of selenium emissions from an existing coal-fired power plant in eastern Pennsylvania.
1986
Report
Improving Automotive Safety: The Role of Industry, the Government, and the Driver
This paper identifies three groups that can improve automotive safety: the automotive industry, by designing into cars such safety devices as seat belts, roll bars, or air bags; the government, by taking such measures as improving road conditions, enforci
1985