Jacob A. Brown, Ph.D.

Jacob considers how the enactment of values such as authenticity, humility, and inclusivity promote positive outcomes (high-quality connection, leadership influence, meaningfulness), as well as potentially negative outcomes (values conflict). 

He is particularly passionate about the concept of authenticity, and his dissertation at the DMV focuses on how individuals come to co-construct their true selves through interactions with others - even in challenging or highly bureaucratic environments, and even when such interactions are not affectively positive. He strives imperfectly but determinedly to exercise this value in his life. 

Jacob prioritizes inductive methods (case studies, ethnography, grounded theory analysis), but also utilizes deductive methods (experiments, survey research) to address questions across various literatures, targeting contexts and questions which are unique but organizationally relevant. He has contributed to research which has been published in various journals, including the Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Management Studies and Journal of Business Ethics. 

Jacob is currently a postdoctoral research associate at the NCPRE, a values-based leadership center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is grateful for the opportunity to apply insights about values in the business world prior to an academic appointment at a business school. 

Prior to entering academia, Jacob worked as an instructional designer and higher education instructor, and also performed with his wife in musical theater productions - most recently at Sundance's Oklahoma! (2018). 

Jacob is grateful for the opportunity to study management and organizations, and enjoys spending time with family and friends.