Brandon May

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 (CAGAP) and serves as CAGAP's communications officer.

His research presentations have addressed audiences at the International Association of Chiefs of Police, United Nations, international security conferences, and specialized forums on AI applications in national security and Policing contexts.