Lauren Howe

Assistant Professor of Management at the University of Zürich / PhD in Social Psychology from Stanford University / Enthusiastic science writer and fiction reader

Lauren C. Howe is an Assistant Professor of Management at the University of Zurich, where she specializes in the intersection of organizational behavior, leadership, and social psychology. Her research primarily focuses on how human attributes such as emotion, empathy, and social relationships can be leveraged to enhance workplace dynamics, especially as technological advancements reshape the work environment.1 2 3

Academic Background

PhD in Social Psychology: Howe earned her doctorate from Stanford University, where she was recognized with several prestigious fellowships, including the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and the Shaper Family Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship.2 3
Postdoctoral Experience: Prior to her current role, she worked as a postdoctoral scholar at both Stanford University and the University of Zurich, focusing on trust in healthcare contexts and leadership dynamics.2 3

Research Contributions

Howe's scholarly work has been published in leading journals such as the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Nature Climate Change, and the Harvard Business Review. Her research explores critical questions about how human beliefs and connections influence leadership effectiveness and organizational outcomes.1 2 3 Some notable studies include:

The impact of social connection on patient health outcomes.
Investigations into how leaders can effectively express their humanity to foster better organizational climates.

Teaching and Engagement

In addition to her research, Howe is passionate about teaching. She has developed courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, with a particular interest in statistical methods for social sciences. She has also led faculty workshops on R programming to enhance teaching methodologies.2 3

Personal Interests

Beyond academia, Lauren enjoys writing about science for popular media outlets and engaging in various hobbies such as hiking in the Swiss mountains and reading fiction.2 3

Her contributions to the field of management are significant, particularly as they relate to understanding the human side of work in an increasingly digital world.