Michele J. Gelfand

Michele Gelfand is an esteemed professor and scholar renowned for her work on the psychology of culture and inter-group conflict. Her expansive and influential career has spanned across disciplines, resulting in over 120 publications and 19 books published. Gelfand’s expertise and research has been featured in magazines and newspapers worldwide, including Scientific American Mind, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.

Michele was born and raised in a small, culturally Jewish town outside of Boston. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston University in 1990 and continued to receive her Masters, Psychology and Social Policy, from Harvard University in 1998. Gelfand was then awarded her Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Connecticut in 1993. For the past 13 years, Michele has been a professor at the University of Maryland in the Psychology Department, where she is now a Distinguished University Professor.

Michele is widely known for her research on the psychology of culture, leadership, and inter-group conflict. She is an expert in exploring how context and culture shape individual's behavior and decision-making. Her books have been read and referenced by many, and they cover a range of topics including culture and leadership, inter-group conflict, and organizational/workplace dynamics.

Michele's first book, "Rules, Patterns, and Schemas: The Legacy of Robert S. Wyer Jr", was published in 2000 and examines the legacy of Robert S. Wyer, Jr., a prominent cognitive psychologist. In 2004, Michele published “Culture and Leadership: The Differentiated Organization”, which explored the role of emotions and power in organizational dynamics and culture.

In the second half of the 2000s, Gelfand continued to publish books exploring the psychology of culture and inter-group conflict. Some of her titles include "Cross Cultural Business Negotiations"; "The Psychology of Conflict and Conflict Resolution"; "Culture and Coercion: Changing the Nature of Negotiation"; and "The Role of Distance in International Conflict".

In 2011, Michele come forth with her most notable work, "Culture and International Conflict". This book challenged the existing view on international conflict, arguing that culture could be an important factor in conflict and resolution. This book has been cited nearly 2000 times, and it has established Michele’s status as one of the top scholars in the field of international conflicts and their analysis.

In addition to publishing books and articles, Michele is highly active in public service. She has served on the Global Agenda Council for Conflict Prevention & Resolution for the World Economic Forum for the past three years; has served as an Editor for various academic journals and books; and has been a keynote speaker at a variety of international conferences.

Her awards and recognitions include the Fulbright Science Fellowship in 1995; being named a Fellow of the American Psychological Association in 2005; being named a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science in 2008; and being named a Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology at the University of Maryland in 2012.

Michele Gelfand is an esteemed scholar and professor with an impressive body of work on the psychology of culture and inter-group conflict. Her books and articles have earned her worldwide recognition, and she is highly respected in the academic community. Her expertise and research has had a lasting impact on the field, making her one of the most influential academics of her time.