Psychology professor wins national research award

Eduardo Salas, a leading expert on teams and training and at the University of Central Florida’s Department of Psychology and  Institute for Simulation & Training, today won the $50,000 Michael R. Losey Human Resource Research Award from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the HR Certification Institute, and the SHRM Foundation.

The award, recognizing human resource academics or experts whose research significantly advances the field of human resource management, was presented at SHRM’s Strategy Conference in Palm Springs. 

“Dr. Salas’ research on workplace teams and training provides the HR community with important insight during a time when related issues, like STEM skills gap training and managing virtual teams, impact HR professionals on a daily basis,” said Henry G. (Hank) Jackson, the president and CEO of SHRM. “The Losey Award recognizes the important work Dr. Salas has already accomplished and the future work we look for from him.”

Salas won the Losey Award for his prolific research on effectiveness, productivity and training of workplace teams. During his 30-year career, he produced more than 400 publications that have helped bridge scientific understanding of HR management, teams, and training to best practices businesses and HR professionals can implement in everyday use.

“I am honored and humbled by this award—it is, indeed, an incredible feeling,” said Dr. Salas. “There is nothing more satisfying in some ones career than the recognition that you have made an impact in the field—to those who manage individuals and teams in organizations.”

The award, established in 2000, is named in honor of former SHRM President and CEO Michael R. Losey, SPHR. Given by the boards of SHRM, the HR Certification Institute, and the SHRM Foundation, the award acknowledges major research accomplishments and helps fund future individual contributions to the field.

Salas is the Pegasus and Trustee Chair Professor of the psychology department at the University of Central Florida in Orlando and the program director of the school’s Institute for Simulation & Training. He is the president-elect of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, past-president of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology and a fellow with the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, the American Psychological Association, and the Association for Psychological Science.

Previously, Salas was a senior research psychologist and head of the training technology development branch of the Naval Air Warfare Center’s Training Systems Division. He held academic appointments at Aberdeen University, Rollins College, the University of South Florida, and Old Dominion University.

As a management consultant, his clients include British Petroleum, UBS, The World Bank and numerous healthcare providers and military agencies. Salas is the author and editor of numerous articles and books, such as Guiding Learning from Experience and Team Processes, Performance and Training in Organizations.

Salas holds a doctorate degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Old Dominion University, a master’s degree in industrial psychology from the University of Central Florida, and a bachelor’s degree in general psychology from Florida International University.