Robert Bray Receives Lifetime Achievement Award for Contributions to Military Psychology

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Robert Bray, Ph.D., senior program director of substance abuse epidemiology and military behavioral health at RTI International, has received the John C. Flanagan Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association.

The John C. Flanagan Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes Bray, a fellow of the APA, for his career-long research achievements in military psychology. The award honors contributions to research, service, product development or administration that advances the profession of military psychology, improves the effectiveness of military psychology systems or serves the welfare of military personnel.

The award was presented by the APA Society for Military Psychology (Division 19) on Aug. 2 during the 121st APA annual convention in Honolulu, Hawaii.

With more than 30 years of experience in psychology, Bray has served as a prominent military research psychologist directing complex surveys, analyses, and intervention studies in the armed forces. His work concentrates on understanding the prevalence, causes, correlates and consequences of substance use and other health behaviors.

Bray has directed nine comprehensive worldwide surveys of active duty military personnel for the Department of Defense. His research yields the most widely cited data on substance use and health behaviors in the military. His research has led to improvements in understanding health behaviors and the development or modification of programs to advance the health of military personnel.  Bray and other RTI colleagues are finalizing a book based on findings from these surveys. 

Bray currently serves as the RTI principal investigator, in partnership with Walter Reed and RAND Corporation, of a six-site randomized effectiveness trial to reduce posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in the U.S. Army and as senior advisor for an RTI study to reduce workplace violence in the military.

During his 33 years at RTI, Bray has received numerous awards including the APA’s Charles S. Gersoni Award for outstanding contributions to military psychology. He is the author/editor of three books and numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and technical reports.

Bray has a doctorate degree in social psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and both a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brigham Young University.

The APA is a scientific and professional organization of psychologists dedicated to advancing psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people’s lives.