Sreedhari Desai has been contributing to research at Carolina for 13 years.
Sreedhari Desai has worked for UNC-Chapel Hill in a variety of roles, most recently as associate professor of organizational behavior and a Crist W. Blackwell Scholar in the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.
What brought you to Carolina?
It was the perfect blend of intellectual curiosity and Southern hospitality. Plus, the opportunity to indulge in some of the best collard greens around!
I was drawn to the dynamic atmosphere at Kenan-Flagler, where the air buzzes with ideas and innovations. It’s a place where you can challenge the status quo in the morning and find yourself in a spirited debate over the best local coffee spot by evening. And, let’s be honest, those Carolina blue skies are pretty hard to resist.
How has your role here changed over the years?
I began my academic career at Carolina as an enthusiastic assistant professor. Over the years, my dedication to teaching and research culminated in my achieving tenure. Following this milestone, I had the privilege of serving for a year as the faculty chair of the Full-Time MBA program, where I was deeply involved in shaping the curriculum and enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes.
My journey continued as I joined the UNC Executive Development program, contributing to the professional growth of numerous executives through tailored educational initiatives. Additionally, my passion for ethical considerations in business and academia led me to a significant role as a faculty fellow at the Parr Center for Ethics, where I have been actively involved in promoting ethical practices within the University and broader community.
What’s kept you at Carolina?
It’s the vibrant community of students and colleagues who are both brilliant and genuinely passionate about making a difference. Over the years, I have had the good fortune of being surrounded by people like Nur Sunar, Chloe Glaeser, Laura Sonday, Mary Margaret Frank, and other colleagues in the Department of Organizational Behavior who challenge and inspire me to push the boundaries of what I thought was possible. Plus, there’s a real commitment here to not just teach, but to transform. Seeing my MBA students grow, find their path, and start to change the world is incredibly rewarding.
Additionally, the courage and rigor of The Daily Tar Heel have been a source of inspiration. Their willingness to tackle tough questions — be it about Silent Sam, lawsuits against faculty and schools, or secretly recording faculty members — underscores the energetic, challenging atmosphere that thrives here. Any university that facilitates a bold, student-run newspaper like this will always remain dynamic and relevant.
What contribution are you most proud of?
The contribution I am most proud of is my publication with Brian Gunia on “The Interplay of Gender and Perceived Sexual Orientation at the Bargaining Table: A Social Dominance and Intersectionalist Perspective.” This research took on added significance given North Carolina’s 2016 HB2 legislation, which reflected deep-seated anti-LGBTQ sentiments. Engaging with the concept of intersectionality — a framework that explores the interconnections among various social identities and their impact on discrimination and privilege — was a bold move during a time of heightened sensitivity and controversy.
Our work offered critical empirical insights that could lead to more inclusive practices in negotiation and decision-making settings. This project stands as a testament to the type of influential scholarship that can be pursued when complex and contentious societal issues are confronted head-on. The encouragement from both the academic community and the broader Carolina community was crucial, reflecting the university’s commitment to nurturing an environment where challenging and transformative academic inquiry is embraced.
What is a uniquely Carolina experience you’ve had?
The opportunity to host two different art shows here, each supporting a cause close to my heart. The first benefited “The House that Kenan-Flagler Built,” an initiative close to our community, and the second supported the Epilepsy Foundation North Carolina.
The outpouring of support from the Carolina community for both events was truly heartwarming. Faculty, students, and residents alike came together to appreciate art and rally around these meaningful causes. This collaborative spirit, where everyone is eager to support and uplift each other’s passions and projects, really encapsulates what makes Carolina so special. It’s a place where professional and personal passions intertwine and community support shines brightly.
Rooted recognizes long-standing members of the UNC-Chapel Hill community who have aided in the advancement of research by staying at Carolina. They are crucial to the UNC Research enterprise, experts in their fields, and loyal Tar Heels. Know someone we should feature? Nominate a researcher.