The HBS faculty is comprised of scholars and practitioners who bring cutting-edge research, rich experience, and deep insights to classrooms, organizations, and leaders around the world. We spoke to new HBS faculty members about their backgrounds, new roles, and interests.
Ivy Onyedor Global Social Business Research Institute Visiting Researcher
What is your field of research and what led you to it?
I’m a social psychologist by training. My research investigates how people reason about diversity and discrimination, with the aim of increasing people’s understanding of and willingness to address inequality. I am interested in how organizations and societies can be designed to promote and maintain equality.
As an immigrant to the United States from a majority-black country, my childhood experiences with race and racism were deeply disconcerting for me. Some of my colleagues made assumptions about me because I was black, but those assumptions were completely disconnected from reality. My parents were limited in their ability to explain these movements to me. During my undergraduate years, my research experience introduced me to empirical research on inequality and intergroup relations, and how this research has been used to positively impact society through my classes. .
Where are you from?
I was born in Enugu, Nigeria and raised in Los Angeles, California. I attended high school in Surprise, Arizona. Since then, I haven’t lived anywhere for over 5 years, so I consider wherever I am home.
What do you like to do outside of school?
I’m a big fan of the Peloton platform because I like variety, trying new restaurants and exploring new regions, cities, and countries.
What is your favorite book, movie, or piece of art?
Untitled (2009) by Kerry James Marshall. I first encountered this painting in an African American women’s history class I took during my senior year at Yale University. I was shocked by the artist’s keen gaze and depiction of self-expression and self-determination. I bought a postcard and still have it.
What will you do as a BIGS Fellow?
I defend against ongoing social and economic inequalities and their consequences, such as decreased support for policies that increase economic equality and reduced willingness to take collective action to address racial inequality. We are planning to work on several projects to explore possible solutions. I will collaborate with HBS faculty on projects related to defensive responses in the workplace and addressing organizational diversity. I intend to seek media training opportunities to further my efforts to disseminate my research outside of the academy.
