Ashley Whillans

Ashley Whillans is an assistant professor in the Negotiation, Organizations & Markets Unit, teaching the Negotiations course to MBA students. Broadly, she studies how people navigate trade-offs between time and money. Her ongoing research investigates whether and how intangible incentives, such as experiential and time-saving rewards, affect employee motivation and well-being. In both 2015 and 2018, she was named a Rising Star of Behavioral Science by the International Behavioral Exchange and the Behavioral Science and Policy Association. In 2016, she co-founded the Department of Behavioral Science in the Policy, Innovation, and Engagement Division of the British Columbia Public Service. Her research has been published in numerous academic journals and popular media outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. Her first book "Time Smart: How to Reclaim Your Time & Live a Happier Life" will be published by Harvard Business Publishing on October 6, 2020, and is currently available for Pre-Order on Amazon.

Professor Whillans earned her BA, MA, and PhD in Social Psychology from the University of British Columbia. Prior to joining HBS, she was a visiting scholar and guest lecturer at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Professor Whillans has also enjoyed an acting career, attending London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, and appearing most notably in the 2007 comedy film Juno.

Awards & Honors

Received Honorable Mention for the 2019 Dissertation Award from the International Positive Psychology Association.

Winner of the 2018 Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS)/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award.

Named a “Rising Star of Behavioral Science” in 2018 by the International Policy Exchange and the Behavioral Science & Policy Association.

Winner of the 2016 Heritage Foundation Dissertation Award from The Society for Personality & Social Psychology for “Exchanging Seconds for Cents: The Happiness Benefits of Choosing Time Over Money.”

Recipient of the 2016 Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, a University-wide award recognizing the top 1% of Teaching Assistants and the most competitive award graduate students can win for teaching at the University of British Columbia.

Winner of the 2016 Judgement and Decision Making Pre-Conference Paper Award from the Society for Judgement and Decision Making for “The Benefits and Barriers of Buying Happier Time” with Elizabeth W. Dunn and Michael I. Norton.

Named a “Rising Star of Behavioral Science” in 2015 by the International Policy Exchange and the Behavioral Science & Policy Association.

Winner of the 2015 Stan Coren Prize for Top Psychology Master’s Thesis from The University of British Columbia.

Recipient of the Certificate of Academic Excellence for Top Psychology Master’s Thesis in 2015 from the Canadian Psychological Association.

Winner of the 2012 Belkin Award for Top Psychology Honor’s Thesis at The University of British Columbia.

Selected in 2012 as a Wesbrook Scholar, a designation given to The University of British Columbia’s top 20 graduating students.

Winner of the 2012 Russ Patrick Award for Undergraduate Research Writing, Best Undergraduate Essay, for “The Health Benefits of Helping Others,” at The University of British Columbia.