Improving High-Stress Outcomes Drives Mathieu’s Research
Professor John Mathieu is the recipient of a national lifetime achievement award recognizing his exceptional research, teaching and mentoring in the field of group dynamics.
The Joseph E. McGrath Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Study of Groups is given to an individual whose work has shown an enduring commitment to advancing the interdisciplinary science of team behavior, dynamics, and outcomes.
“It’s very much an honor and it’s very humbling,” said Mathieu, a professor of management and the School of Business’ Friar Chair in Leadership & Teams. He added that he couldn’t have achieved the distinction without the help of his colleagues, partnerships with practitioners and consulting firms, and the work and collaboration of student researchers.
“What I enjoy most about my area of research is that it has a direct impact on people in the real world, whether they are surgeons or helicopter pilots or air traffic controllers,” he said.
The award was given by the Interdisciplinary Network for Group Research (INGRoup). The organization spans multiple disciplines, including social psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, communications, and management. The award is given to someone whose work encompasses all of those fields. Mathieu received the award at the organization’s 10th annual conference in Pittsburgh in late July.
“I’m only the sixth person to receive this honor and the fact that it is awarded based on the intersection between four fields is very flattering and rewarding,” Mathieu said.
During his career, Mathieu has mentored 19 doctoral candidates, has been recognized as an outstanding faculty member, and conducted research that improves safety in high-stress environments, including hospital operating rooms and air-traffic control centers. He is currently working with colleagues to devise plans to increase teamwork and resilience among astronauts during lengthy space travel.
“This is an extremely prestigious award because it recognizes a scholar whose theoretical and empirical work has impacted the study of groups and teams across disciplines,” said colleague Professor Lucy Gilson.
“John is a real ‘team player’ and a great colleague, scholar, mentor, and friend,” she continued. “John brings so much to the management department, the School of Business, the University and the Greater UConn community. We are truly lucky that John, a Connecticut native and UConn alumnus, has decided to make UConn School of Business his academic home.”
