Alan Benson

Alan Benson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Work and Organizations at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. His research focuses on personnel economics, analyzing HR topics such as hiring, promotions, performance evaluation, and compensation. He serves as Academic Director of the Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations program and holds affiliate roles in the Department of Applied Economics and the Minnesota Population Center. Benson is Senior Editor at Organization Science and has served as Associate Editor at Management Science and Industrial and Labor Relations Review.

• Education: PhD in Management (MIT Sloan School of Management, 2013); BS in Industrial and Labor Relations (Cornell University, 2007)
• Teaching: Compensation and Benefits (Master’s), Negotiation Strategies (MBA), Economic Analysis of Human Resources (PhD), and Managing Employee Compensation on Coursera

His research explores organizational behavior and labor economics, with notable contributions to understanding the Peter Principle, gig economy dynamics, and workplace gamification. His work has appeared in top journals like the Quarterly Journal of Economics, Review of Economic Studies, and American Sociological Review. He has been recognized with awards including the John Dunlop Outstanding Young Scholar Award (2018) and the Upjohn Institute Early Career Research Award (2019).

Benson’s service includes editorial roles, PhD advising, and contributions to academic conferences. He has been cited in major media outlets such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and NPR for his insights on labor markets and managerial effectiveness.