Barbara Rau

Barbara Rau is a Professor in the Department of Management and Human Resources at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, teaching MBA and undergraduate courses while maintaining active research and extensive community engagement. Her career spans editorial leadership for the Academy of Management Journal and board positions at SECURA Insurance, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, and Evergreen Retirement Community.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Industrial Relations from University of Wisconsin Madison (1993)
• MS in Industrial Relations from University of Wisconsin Madison (1989)
• BS in Economics from University of Wisconsin Madison (1984)

Dr. Rau's research critically examines recruitment dynamics, work-life balance, salary negotiation strategies, retirement transitions, and labor relations. Her work bridges theoretical rigor with practical workplace applications, particularly in evolving contexts like pandemic-era education and digital HR transformation. She investigates how demographic shifts and technological changes impact organizational behavior and human capital management.

Analysis of her publication history reveals a strategic evolution from foundational labor relations studies toward contemporary challenges in online education and aging workforces. Early work focused on salary negotiation mechanics and union HR practices, while recent research addresses pandemic teaching methodologies and bridge employment for retirees, demonstrating adaptability to emerging workplace realities.

Her scholarly impact is recognized through:

• Leadership Oshkosh Award (May 2020)

Dr. Rau actively shapes academic discourse as faculty advisor for the UW Oshkosh Ballroom Dance and Swing Club and through decade-long service on the Academy of Management Journal Editorial Review Board. Her committee work spans university restructuring, diversity initiatives, and economic development, reflecting commitment to institutional and community advancement beyond traditional academic boundaries.

While no dedicated research labs are documented, her collaborative publications indicate active engagement with cross-institutional research teams focused on management education innovation and workforce demographic studies.