Adam Waytz

Adam Waytz is the Morris and Alice Kaplan Chair in Ethics and Decision Management at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and a courtesy professor of Psychology at the Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences. His research bridges social psychology and cognitive neuroscience, focusing on mind perception, ethics, intergroup processes, and technology's psychological consequences. He holds a PhD from the University of Chicago and postdoctoral training at Harvard.

Education:

• PhD in Psychology, University of Chicago (2009)
• MA in Psychology, University of Chicago (2006)
• BA in Psychology, Columbia University (2003, Summa Cum Laude)

Research Focus: Waytz explores how people conceptualize other minds, the ethical implications of automation and AI, and societal divisions. His work spans topics like moral judgment, allyship perceptions, and the impact of technology on religion and labor markets.

Key Contributions:

• Highlighted automation's link to declining religiosity in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
• Explored algorithmic bias and public distrust in AI in Journal of Experimental Psychology.
• Authored The Power of Human (2019), advocating for ethical tech integration.

Awards & Honors:

• Twice recipient of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology's Theoretical Innovation Prize (2008, 2013).
• Early Career Award from the International Social Cognition Network.
• HBR Prize Finalist for 'Beware a Culture of Busyness.'

Teaching & Outreach: Waytz designs courses on ethics, leadership, and organizational behavior. His executive programs address AI innovation, DEI strategies, and performance management. He frequently speaks on balancing productivity with human-centric values.

Labs & Collaborations: His research lab at Kellogg explores mind perception, moral psychology, and technology ethics, fostering interdisciplinary partnerships with neuroscientists and computer scientists.