Talk 10

Abstract: Current and future work demands increasingly requires a complex network of multiple, interdependent teams, known as multiteam systems (MTS) that may include not only humans but also advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) or robotics. The purpose of this talk is to present an integrative framework of factors that can potentially impact the coordination efforts of such MTSs operating in risky and stressful environments, as informed by a series of method studies in a range of contexts. MTSs are key for bringing together organizations, teams, and individuals whose expertise is needed to rapidly deploy, coordinate, share information, and ultimately optimize performance. MTSs require significant within and across team coordination to maximize expertise and skills when tackling the challenges of working in environments that are high risk regarding complexity of goals (e.g., spaceflight, disaster response), and/or risky in terms of physical, mental, or emotional demands put upon human members (e.g., healthcare, construction, manufacturing). While prior research has largely focused upon the interplay of human-human teaming, there is a growing recognition of the critical need to understand how agents can and will interface with human team members in these types of systems. Unfortunately, seamless teaming is not easy or clear even in traditional human-human MTSs, especially when such systems are put in place as a necessary structure for deconstructing high risk, higher order tasks and goals into well-defined and more manageable sub-goals. This talk will present findings from a series of observational and quasiexperimental studies of MTS coordination conducted with emergency response, spaceflight, construction, and manufacturing MTSs, in order to highlight common compositional, developmental, and linkage factors that influence the success or failure of human-AI-robot teaming in these high-risk contexts.

Bio: Dr. Marissa Shuffler has more than a decade of experience conducting basic and applied research in the areas of team development, multiteam, and organizational effectiveness. As an Associate Professor of Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Clemson University, Shuffler’s research focuses on the study of scientifically derived, innovative interventions needed to develop, sustain, and maximize inter- and intra-team functioning and well-being in high risk and complex environments including healthcare systems, the military, and spaceflight. She has served as PI or scientific lead on numerous large research collaborations, including an NSF-funded effort with sociology, engineering, and construction science exploring future humanrobot teaming challenges in construction. Other project highlights include AI-human teaming in future manufacturing, an NSF-sponsored collaboration with Clemson automotive engineering and IBM, and a multi-university cooperative agreement investigating teaming dynamics for the U.S. Army. Dr. Shuffler has secured over $13 million in funding as PI or Co- Investigator from federal and private entities, including an NSF CAREER award. Her published work to date includes an edited book, over 65 scholarly publications, and over 200 presentations. Shuffler holds a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Central Florida.