Busman’s Holiday

While his friends and associates may be thinking of ski trips over intersession, Shaun Pichler, assistant professor of management, will be thinking of sandy beaches and sunny skies “down under” — although how many opportunities he will have to visit Australia’s beaches will be limited. 

Pichler is spending three weeks as a visiting scholar at the University of Sydney — presenting talks, conducting workshops with doctoral students and establishing a research collaboration with postdoctoral scholar Raymond Trau, an associate from his doctoral days at Michigan State University. 

“It’s a very competitive program,” said Pichler about the visiting scholar program at the University of Sydney. Recent visiting scholars include Belle Rose Ragins, an internationally prominent scholar in mentoring. “The institution is looking for leaders in specific research areas who can gain much from the experience of working at the university, as well as share their expertise and knowledge with the Sydney faculty and students. 

“I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside such a prominent group of scholars in the work and organizational studies area, and to establish a research program with a very productive and supportive colleague.” 

Pichler’s talks will focus on “Employee Reaction to Performance Appraisals” and his work on understanding fairness in organizations. In addition, he will work with Trau on a research agenda and properties as part of an ongoing collaboration. 

Pichler, who joined the university in 2009, teaches courses in organizational behavior and human resource management. Earlier this year, Pichler and two of his departmental associates began work on a study of the nature of interpersonal skills and their importance for success in managerial settings. 

Dec. 14, 2010