Biography
Kurt T. Dirks, the Bank of America Professor of Leadership, serves as the Vice Chancellor for International Affairs and Director of the McDonnell International Scholars Academy for Washington University in St. Louis. Kurt works closely with stakeholders across the university to advance the research and education mission for Washington University through global engagement. Kurt also leads the McDonnell International Scholars Academy. The McDonnell Academy recruits outstanding Ph.D. and Masters students from a broad range of academic disciplines and a diverse set of countries developing their leadership abilities and creating a unique global community. The McDonnell Academy also fosters academic commerce with other international universities through a network of partners around the world.
Kurt received a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and a B.S. and M.S. from Iowa State University. His academic research is on the determinants, barriers, and outcomes of trust within organizations and institutions. He has published a number of highly cited and award winning articles on the topic. The research has been covered by popular press such as Business Week, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, CNN.com, among other media outlets.
Kurt is married to Tausha Dirks and has two children, Davis and Katie.
Kurt Dirks published new research on trust in The Journal of Business Ethics and was interviewed for a feature published in Fortune magazine. Read Building Trust as A New Leader