# Russell Shilling, Ph.D.

Russell Shilling is a retired U.S. Navy Captain, former DARPA Program Officer, former U.S. Department of Education Presidential appointee, and founder of Shilling Forge Consulting.

He advises startups, philanthropies, nonprofits, and public-sector initiatives on responsible AI, XR, conversational agents, serious games, education innovation, mental health technology, and neurodiversity.

## Key pages

- [My Story](https://russ-shilling.com/my-story)
- [Speaking](https://russ-shilling.com/speaking)
- [Publications](https://russ-shilling.com/publications)
- [Contact](https://russ-shilling.com/contact)
- [AI Access and Usage Policy](https://russ-shilling.com/llm-use-policy)

## Current focus

- AI policy and implementation for education
- Conversational agents and virtual humans
- Autism and neurodiversity technology
- VR/XR for therapy, training, and support
- DARPA/ARPA-style R&D program design
- Serious games and game-based learning
- Strategic advisory for startups, philanthropies, and mission-driven organizations

## Selected background

- Retired U.S. Navy Aerospace Experimental Psychologist
- Former DARPA Program Officer
- Former Executive Director of STEM Initiatives, U.S. Department of Education
- Former Chief Science Officer, American Psychological Association
- Founder, Shilling Forge Consulting
- Senior Innovation Advisor, Sidekick Wellness
- Medical and Science Advisory Committee, Autism Speaks

## Contact

For speaking, consulting, advisory, board, workshop, and partnership inquiries, use:

https://russ-shilling.com/contact