Leigh Tost

Leigh Plunkett Tost studies the psychological and sociological dynamics of power and status in organizations, with a particular focus on how hierarchy affects team functioning, moral judgments, and ethical decision making. She also examines the motivations underlying individuals' pursuits of prosocial change, focusing her research at the intersection of social psychology and institutional theory.

Her research has been published in a broad range of academic journals, including Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Psychological Science, Journal of Applied Psychology, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, and Personality and Social Psychology Review. In addition, the implications of her research have been discussed in numerous media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Financial Times, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review.

Research Interest

psychological and sociological dynamics of power and status in organizations, with a particular focus on how hierarchy affects team functioning, moral judgments, and ethical decision making

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business (2010 — 2015)
• Master of Arts (M.A.) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2003 — 2005)
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Harvard University (1995 — 1999)

Companies

• Assistant Professor of Management and Organization University of Southern California
• Assistant Professor of Management & Organizations University of Michigan Ross School of Business (2012 — 2016)
• Postdoctoral Research Associate University of Washington, Michael G. Foster School of Business (2010 — 2012)
• Doctoral student Fuqua School of Business (2005 — 2010)