Rachel Arnett

Rachel Arnett
  • Assistant Professor of Management
  • Claude Marion Faculty Scholar

Contact Information

  • office Address:

    2206 SH-DH
    3620 Locust Walk
    Philadelphia, PA 19104

Research Interests: diversity & inclusion; workplace relationships; identity; race; status; gender; social class

Links: CV, Personal Website

Overview

Rachel Arnett is an Assistant Professor of Management at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She is in the Organizational Behavior subgroup with the Management Department and specializes in diversity, identity, inclusion, intergroup relations, and intersectionality. She is a Claude Marion Endowed Faculty Scholar and, in 2022, she was named by Poets & Quants as one of the Best 40-Under-40 MBA Professors.

Rachel’s research investigates pathways to developing diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as relationships across differences, including how individuals navigate identity-based differences, push for social change, confront bias and discrimination, engage in allyship behaviors, and leverage identities and role models to attain leadership success. In one stream of research, she examines when, why, and how individuals express or conceal identity-based differences (e.g., race, nationality, social class) when interacting with people who differ from themselves, and the consequences for employees’ psychological, interpersonal, and professional outcomes. Another research stream illuminates how organizational DEI goals can be advanced by better leveraging the benefits and counteracting the risks that individuals associate with diversity, equity, and inclusion. This includes understanding the important role of psychological safety for advancing DEI. A third line of work tests how individuals can overcome challenges associated with confronting bias and engaging in effective allyship. Finally, using an intersectional lens, she explores how the interplay between gender, race, and social class influence individuals’ role models and leadership trajectories.

Rachel conducts her research using a combination of laboratory experiments, surveys, and qualitative data. She has partnered with multiple organizations who are interested in advancing DEI, including conducting field experiments, employee surveys, and in-depth interviews.

Rachel completed her doctoral training in Harvard University’s Organizational Behavior program, an interdisciplinary program between Harvard Business School and Harvard’s Social Psychology department. Before Harvard, she was a Research Assistant in New York University’s Social Psychology department and a Senior Brand Strategist in the advertising industry. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania.

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Research

Teaching

All Courses

  • LGST8060 - Negotiations

    This course examines the art and science of negotiation, with additional emphasis on conflict resolution. Students will engage in a number of simulated negotiations ranging from simple one-issue transactions to multi-party joint ventures. Through these exercises and associated readings, students explore the basic theoretical models of bargaining and have an opportunity to test and improve their negotiation skills. Cross-listed with MGMT 6910/OIDD 6910/LGST 8060. Format: Lecture, class discussion, simulation/role play, and video demonstrations. Materials: Textbook and course pack.

  • MGMT6910 - Negotiations

    This course examines the art and science of negotiation, with additional emphasis on conflict resolution. Students will engage in a number of simulated negotiations ranging from simple one-issue transactions to multi-party joint ventures. Through these exercises and associated readings, students explore the basic theoretical models of bargaining and have an opportunity to test and improve their negotiation skills. Cross-listed with MGMT 6910/OIDD 6910/LGST 8060. Format: Lecture, class discussion, simulation/role play, and video demonstrations. Materials: Textbook and course pack.

  • OIDD6910 - Negotiations

    This course examines the art and science of negotiation, with additional emphasis on conflict resolution. Students will engage in a number of simulated negotiations ranging from simple one-issue transactions to multi-party joint ventures. Through these exercises and associated readings, students explore the basic theoretical models of bargaining and have an opportunity to test and improve their negotiation skills. Cross-listed with MGMT 6910/OIDD 6910/LGST 8060. Format: Lecture, class discussion, simulation/role play, and video demonstrations. Materials: Textbook and course pack.

  • PSYC4998 - Mentored Research

    Mentored research involving data collection. Students do independent empirical work under the supervision of a faculty member, leading to a written paper. Normally taken in the junior or senior year.

Awards and Honors

  • Claude Marion Faculty Scholar, 2023-2024
  • Poets & Quants Best 40-Under-40 MBA Professors, 2022
  • Wharton Teaching Excellence Award, 2021
  • Wharton Teaching Excellence Award, 2020
  • Wharton Teaching Excellence Award, 2019
  • Wharton Teaching Excellence Award, 2018
  • Most Innovative Student Paper Award, Academy of Management Organizational Behavior Division, 2015 Description

    Submission: Me versus us: Concealing high status identities from lower status peers (Awarded to one student in the Academy of Management Organizational Behavior Division).

In the News

Knowledge at Wharton

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Latest Research

Rachel Arnett (2023), Uniting Through Differences: Rich Cultural-Identity Expression as a Conduit to Inclusion, Organization Science.
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In the News

Diversity at Work: Bring Your Whole Self to Work | Rachel Arnett

Professor Rachel Arnett explains how the simple act of sharing cultural experiences at work can boost inclusivity.…Read More

Knowledge at Wharton - 6/6/2023
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Wharton Stories

A group of diverse people standing in a circle with their hands stacked together in the center, symbolizing teamwork or unity.Leading Conversations on Diversity & Inclusion with Wharton Staff

Three years ago, my colleagues from the Wharton Undergraduate Division attended a conference, where they were introduced to the importance of intergroup dialogue. The concept of intergroup dialogue proposes that conversations between members of a social group should create stronger relationships and mutual understanding. They knew this would be something…

Wharton Stories - 09/30/2021
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