May, Brandon
Brandon May
Assistant Professor | College of Psych. and Liberal Arts: School of Psychology
Contact Information
Dahle Building, Quad 405, Room 103
Personal Overview
Dr. Brandon May is an Assistant Professor of Forensic Psychology at Florida Institute of Technology, where he directs the Investigation, Interviewing, Influence and Decision-Making Laboratory. Dr. May's AI-focused research examines the application of large language models in investigative interviewing, covert human intelligence operations, and analysis. Most recently, his work has evaluated how AI systems can assist, and potentially compromise, law enforcement functions, from interview transcription accuracy to intelligence report generation. Further , his defense and security expertise extends beyond AI applications to include human decision-making in extreme environments, counter-disinformation campaigns, and covert intelligence practices. Dr. May has developed sophisticated frameworks for countering Russian propaganda and hostile state narratives, while his research on decision inertia in high-stakes terrorist incidents has informed our understanding on Bayesian frameworks in emergency response protocols.
Before joining Florida Tech, Dr. May served as an Applied Cognitive Psychologist with the UK Ministry of Defence's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). He maintains extensive operational partnerships with intelligence and law enforcement communities, serving as an Academic Research Lead for the National Police Chiefs' Council Intelligence Practice Research Consortium, and Associate Professor (Visiting) in the Psychology of Intelligence and Covert Action at the University of Buckingham (UK).
Dr. May's is the author of over 40 publications, presentations, and book chapters.
He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Psychology from the University of Portsmouth (UK), where his dissertation examined decision inertia manifestation in high-stakes events. Dr. May has been recognized with the Outstanding Assistant Professor Award and was elected to the American Psychological Association's Committee on the Advancement of General Applied Psychology (Early Career Researcher).
His research presentations have addressed audiences at the International Association of Chiefs of Police, NATO security conferences, and specialized forums on AI applications in national security contexts.
Educational Background
Ph.D., Psychology, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Portsmouth, UK
M.Sc., Forensic Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Winchester, UK
PGCertHE., Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of Winchester, UK
B.Sc., Psychology and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Winchester, UK
Professional Experience
Academic HUMINT Affiliate: National Crime Agency, UK
Academic Assocation: National Police Cheif Council, Intelligence Practice Research Consortium (NPCC IPRC),
Academic Expert Fellow (Security): SPRITE+
Academic Associate: Collaboration of Forensic Interviewing
Deputy Director: Centre of Forensic Interveiwing
Working Group Member: ImpleMendez COST project https://implemendez.eu/
Assistant Editor: Journal of Applied Operational Intelligence
Selected Publications
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Holubova, A., Brown, W., Palace, M., May, B., Tejeiro, R., & Terbeck, S. (Under Review). Un(desirable) Traits? The Dark Tetrad in Different Academic Majors. Learning and Individual Differences.
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Palace, M., May, B., Bokszczanin, A., O’Brien, F., Shortland, N., Chopra, J., Misra, N., Tully, J., Jackson, R., & Ingale, S. (Under Review). Individual Predictors behind Attitudes to Knife-carrying in Schoolboys in England, India and Poland. Journal of School Violence.
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May, B., Palace, M., Milne, R., Shortland, N., Dalton, G., Meenaghan, A., Fryatt, L., Shawyer, A. (Under Review). An Exploratory Thematic Analysis of the Decision Challenges Faced by Emergency Responders during the 2017 Manchester Arena Attacks. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism
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May, B., Milne, R., Bull, R. (2024). Applying Cognitive Psychology to Crime Investigation. In D. Groome. (Ed) An Introduction to Applied Cognitive Psychology.
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Bull, R., May, B. Milne, R. (2024). What is memory? In R, Milne & R. Bull. Investigative interviewing: Psychology and practice.
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May, B., Milne, R., Dalton, G., Meenaghan, A., Shawyer, A. (2024). An exploratory study on manifesting decision-inertia in a 360-degree immersive terrorist incident. Cognition, Technology and Work.
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Stanier, I., Nunan, J., & May, B. (2024). An exploratory study into cell approaches for intelligence collection from detainees within an English Police Custody Suite. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, 18, paad103.
Recognition & Awards
Outstanding Assistant Professor 2024, University of Winchester
Research
Dr. May's research spans multiple critical areas:
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High-Stakes Decision-Making: Dr. May investigates the psychological and operational factors influencing decision inertia during high-pressure situations, such as responses to terrorist threats. His work aims to identify and mitigate the cognitive effects that can paralyze decision-makers in moments when swift and effective action is crucial.
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Covert Intelligence Elicitation and Ethical Forensic Interviewing Practices: Dr. May explores innovative techniques for gathering intelligence in covert operations, balancing the need for effective information extraction with adherence to ethical standards. His research contributes to refining interrogation methods that are both humane and effective, ensuring that intelligence gathered in sensitive operations is reliable and ethically obtained.
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Countering Misinformation and Disinformation Campaigns: In an era where misinformation can have significant non-kinetic effects on national security, Dr. May’s research focuses on strategies to counter disinformation. His work is particularly concentrated on the implications of these campaigns in defense and security, developing countermeasures to protect societies from the destabilizing effects of false information.
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Anti-Violence Campaigns: Addressing the issue of youth violence, Dr. May’s research emphasizes the prevention of knife and gun violence among young males. His work seeks to understand the underlying causes of this violence and develop interventions that can reduce its occurrence, contributing to safer communities and healthier futures for at-risk youth.