For researchers and subject matter experts, few things are more disheartening than having to compromise the truth for the sake of a job. For America’s defense and Intelligence communities, compromising the truth isn’t just discouraging — it’s potentially catastrophic. That’s why the government depends on independent, objective analysis from organizations such as the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA).
Government Looks to Institute for Defense Analyses for Truth
The Institute for Defense Analyses acts as a research partner to government agencies and is comprised of three Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). The Systems and Analyses Center (SAC) serves Office of the Secretary of Defense, combatant commands and other defense agencies as well as Department of Homeland Security, the Center for Communications and Computing (C&C) serves the National Security Agency (NSA), and the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI) serves the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President and the National Science Foundation.
“We are able to be extremely close to the government since we are essentially their on-call research capability,” explains Dr. Daniel Chiu, Division Director, Joint Advanced Warfighting Division.
As an established research organization with over six decades of experience, they are able to meet research needs more effectively than most existing government or contractor resources. And as a non-profit organization, IDA is able both to serve the long-term research needs of government agencies while still maintaining organizational independence.
A Diverse Team United by a Single Mission
IDA boasts a staff of academics, military veterans, former government, and industry experts with a diverse range of backgrounds and opinions. It is precisely this diversity of thought that helps them provide their clients with unbiased truth.
Dr. Chiu sees this contrast among IDA’s staff as essential to serving its government partners. “Diversity of my team is absolutely the heart of what makes us different – and I think useful. Diversity in backgrounds, diversity in subject matter expertise, diversity in experience – that really allows us to tailor our teams to make sure they’re appropriate for whatever project we’re working on.”
With a doctorate in Microbiology, Dr. Ian Simon agrees that a team with experience in a variety of disciplines is what makes IDA’s work so exceptional.
“Not everybody thinks the same way and that’s really great when you get to collaborate with people who might have a different take on a project, might have a different viewpoint, and challenge you in your viewpoint so that everyone knows that they’re bringing essentially their best to the table,” said Simon.
IDA Doesn’t Compromise on Truth
As a research staff member in IDA’s Science and Technology Policy Institute, Dr. Simon sees thought diversity and dedication to the truth as the foundation for the trust of their government partners. “They know that they can trust us to bring a more objective viewpoint, that we can see a broader picture. It’s really great to know that the independent, objective piece of our job is not going to be compromised.”
The attitude and excitement of the rigorous research professionals at IDA are perhaps best summarized by Dr. Rebecca Medlin, research staff member of IDA’s Operational Evaluation Division.
“It’s just a really exciting opportunity to just put the facts down…We want to present an unbiased opinion and give our customer the truth,” said Medlin. “That’s what gives me purpose to what I do – just being able to put that truth on paper.
Interested in Institute for Defense Analyses? You can see IDA’s open positions here.
