Nancy Rothbard

Nancy Rothbard is the David Pottruck Professor of Management and Deputy Dean at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where she also served as Chair of the Management Department from 2016 to 2021. A distinguished educator, she has taught across Wharton's undergraduate, MBA, EMBA, PhD, and executive education programs since joining the faculty in 2000.

Education:

• Brown University: A.B. with honors in History
• University of Michigan: Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior

Research Interests: Rothbard investigates emotion and identity, work motivation and engagement, and work-life dynamics in organizations. Her work examines how individuals navigate boundaries between professional and personal lives, particularly in the context of technological change and diverse workplaces. Key themes include the impact of online social networks on workplace relationships, the dark sides of workplace friendships, and strategies for achieving work-life balance.

Publication Trends: Her recent research (2013-2022) reveals a focus on boundary management in digital environments, work-life integration challenges, and emotional culture. Notable studies explore how social media blurs professional boundaries, the health implications of workaholism, and the role of values in employee proactivity during ambiguity. Her interdisciplinary approach combines field studies, experiments, and archival data across multiple industries.

Scientific Awards:

• Wharton Teaching Excellence Award (2020)
• Society of Organizational Behavior Fellow (2016)
• Penn Fellow (2015-2016)
• Teaching Commitment and Innovation Award, Wharton School (2009-2010)
• Best Career Division Symposium Award, Academy of Management (2006)
• Likert Dissertation Award, University of Michigan (2000)

Advising and Executive Leadership: As faculty director of Wharton's Women’s Executive Leadership program, Rothbard shapes executive education while mentoring emerging leaders. Her teaching excellence is evidenced by multiple Wharton awards, and she has developed innovative curriculum for teamwork and leadership across degree programs. Though specific grant details aren't highlighted, her research's media coverage in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and NPR demonstrates real-world impact.

Organizational Impact: Rothbard actively contributes to Wharton's strategic direction as Deputy Dean and previously as Management Department Chair. Her pandemic-era research on remote work and leadership has informed organizational responses to workplace transformation, positioning her as a thought leader in the future of work.