PhD
Organization Studies
Organization Studies is a multidisciplinary group that brings together the concepts and research methodology of social psychology, sociology, anthropology, and other social sciences. The Organization Studies research group focuses on interactions across individuals, groups, organizations, and institutions, as well as organizational processes themselves. Faculty members—including Deborah Ancona, Kate Kellogg, Erin Kelly, Ray Reagans, and John Carroll—study topics such as distributed leadership, AI in everyday work, social capital, and the future of work.
Research from Organization Studies Faculty
MIT Sloan reading list: 7 books from 2024
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New books this year include a retirement how-to, the reissue of a classic entrepreneurship guide, and a look back at the California energy crisis.
AI Expert Spotlight: Kate Kellogg
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Kate Kellogg studies the implementation of narrow AI—AI systems designed to perform specific tasks—as well as generative AI, among frontline knowledge workers. She’s exploring the barriers to AI implementation and the mechanisms for addressing them.
AI Expert Spotlight: Tom Malone
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“We’re looking for innovative ways to combine people and computers by taking advantage of what each does best,” says Tom Malone.
The rise of the union-curious worker, and how to win them over
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In the U.S., front-line workers’ attitudes toward unions are softening, especially among people under 30. Here’s what they want from their workplaces.
Select Organization Studies Faculty
Standing Faculty
Deborah L. Ancona
Seley Distinguished Professor of Management
Deborah Ancona is the Seley Distinguished Professor of Management, a Professor of Organization Studies, and the Founder of the MIT Leadership Center at the MIT Sloan School of Management.Her pioneering research into how successful teams operate has…
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John S. Carroll
Hear name pronounced.Gordon Kaufman Professor of Management, Emeritus
John Carroll is the Gordon Kaufman Professor of Management, Emeritus and a Professor Post Tenure of Work and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management. He was also Professor of Engineering Systems until 2015 and served as Co…
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Emilio J. Castilla
NTU Professor of Management
Emilio J. Castilla is the NTU Professor of Management and a Professor of Work and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management.Castilla is currently the co-director of the Institute for Work and Employment Research. He joined the MIT…
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Jared R. Curhan
Gordon Kaufman Professor of Management
Jared Curhan is the Gordon Kaufman Professor and a Professor of Work and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management, as well as Faculty Director of MIT’s Behavioral Research Lab.Curhan specializes in the psychology of negotiation and…
Learn MoreExample PhD Thesis Topics
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Vanessa Conzon (2021)
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Jenna Myers (2021)
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Hee Jin (Heather) Yang (2021)