James M. Diefendorff

James M. Diefendorff is a Distinguished Professor of Industrial/Organizational Psychology at The University of Akron. His research focuses on self-regulatory processes, work motivation, and emotional labor. He has been funded by the National Science Foundation and has over 70 publications in top-tier journals such as Journal of Applied Psychology and Academy of Management Journal. Dr. Diefendorff holds editorial roles at Personnel Psychology and multiple other journals, and is a Fellow of the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology. He previously taught at Louisiana State University and the University of Colorado at Denver, and has served as a visiting scholar at institutions worldwide, including Singapore Management University and the China Europe International Business School.

His research explores how employees regulate emotions, navigate workplace challenges, and engage with organizational systems. Notable contributions include studies on emotional labor dynamics, leadership humility, and longitudinal designs in organizational research. He emphasizes practical applications of his findings to improve workplace well-being and productivity.

Dr. Diefendorff’s editorial work and international collaborations highlight his influence in advancing the field. His NSF-funded projects and over 70 peer-reviewed articles underscore his scholarly impact. Awards include prestigious fellowships and editorial leadership roles.