Leeds Builds Momentum in Faculty Research Excellence with Major Jumps in UTD Rankings
Faculty research across all business disciplines at the Leeds School of Business earned impressive recognition in the latest University of Texas at Dallas rankings, achieving the school's highest rankings ever.
Colorado’s top business school advanced from No. 40 to No. 31 on the latest (UTD) rankings for North American business schools, and from No. 49 to No. 39 worldwide, based on research published between 2020 and 2024. Significant leaps, particularly in accounting (No. 15, up 47 spots), management information systems (No. 29, up 39 spots), and operations management (No. 29, up 17 spots), reflect the caliber of Leeds’ world-class faculty.
UTD rankings by discipline showcase dramatic shifts, especially in accounting, management information systems and operations management.
“This improvement in our research ranking is a direct result of the dedication, innovation and collaboration across our faculty,” said Dan Zhang, associate dean for research and academics at Leeds. “We’re investing in the ideas, people and partnerships that will keep driving our research impact forward,” he said.
Tackling complex issues
Leeds faculty continue to tackle some of the biggest questions and challenges in business. From 2020 to 2024, they published an impressive 152 articles in The Accounting Review, Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Financial Economics, Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Consumer Research,Information Systems Research and the Strategic Management Journal, among other leading publications.
Recent faculty research highlights include:
- Fake news and stock manipulation: Assistant Professor Austin Moss co-authored a study uncovering howmisinformation impacts stock prices, with serious implications for investor protection.
- Breaking barriers for women entrepreneurs: Assistant Professor Ethan Poskanzer sheds light on thehidden barriers women face in mentorship networks.
- Better ways to complete tasks: Assistant Professor Ying Zeng uncovers surprising behaviors when it comes to completingmundane tasks.
- Bias in hiring practices: Research from associate professors David Hekman and Stefanie Johnson provides actionable strategies to.
- The rental economy’s impacts: Associate Professor Stephen Billings’ work reveals the negative effects ofinstitutional investors on American neighborhoods.
- Different shades of ESG: Assistant professors Simona Abis and Andrea Buffa reveal ambiguities and mixed messages when it comes toESG claims in mutual funds.
Zhang noted these examples demonstrate that research at Leeds isn’t just theoretical—it’s driving conversations in industry, policy and society.
Connecting academia and industry
Leeds’ faculty research plays an important role in shaping next-generation leaders. Through applied learning opportunities at Leeds’ Centers of Excellence, Leeds connects top academic minds with industry leaders to facilitate a powerful exchange. Recent examples, such as theBurridge Center Sustainable Finance Discussions and theAnnual CU Real Estate Forum demonstrate the bridge Leeds creates to enable practitioners to benefit from cutting-edge research, while faculty gain insights into the pressing issues industries are facing.
Additionally, the school’s new Initiative for Global Business Impact, launching this fall, will further invest in Leeds’ world-class business research infrastructure to foster connections with global communities, said Vijay Khatri, Tandean Rustandy Endowed Dean of the Leeds School of Business.
"With this new initiative, we will collaborate with leading global partners and scholars to build trusted business research that addresses large-scale societal challenges," said Distinguished ProfessorJohn G. Lynch Jr.,who will lead the new initiative.
A bright future
The UTD rankings, developed in 1990 by the Naveen Jindal School of Management, are widely considered a gold standard for evaluating the research productivity of business schools. By tracking faculty publications in the 24 most respected business journals, these rankings highlight institutions making foundational contributions to the business world.
“Our rise in research productivity is a direct reflection of the strength, ambition and impact of our faculty,” said Sarah Zechman, senior associate dean of faculty and professor of accounting.
“That reputation for excellence continues to attract top scholars from leading institutions such as Columbia, Michigan, Duke, MIT and the University of North Carolina—further enriching our academic community and reinforcing our momentum. Their work not only enhances our academic environment but also drives insights that shape business practice and enrich the learning experience for our students,” she said.
By continuing to invest in innovative ideas, cutting-edge research and strong partnerships, Leeds is poised to deepen its impact. As prime examples of propelling research innovation, Dean Khatri pointed to alumni investments in developing more than 30 Faculty Scholars, and the gift for the newly named Michael A. Klump Real Estate Center, which includes a faculty chair and professorship.
Shaping the Business Landscape
Leeds’ influence extends beyond research output, with faculty achieving prominent recognition for their contributions. Recent accomplishments include:
- Prestigious honors: Distinguished Professor of Marketing John Lynch received the AMA-Irwin-McGraw-Hill Distinguished Marketing Educator of the Year for his exceptional scholarship, teaching and mentorship.
- Top-tier editorial influence: Professor of Information Systems Jason Thatcher, who was ranked as the most prolific scholar in the top four journals by the 2024 Association for Information Systems research rankings, was appointed the senior editor of MIS Quarterly. Assistant Professor of Marketing Liu Liu was recognized byMarketing Sciencefor her outstanding service as a member of their editorial board.
- Policy impact: Finance professor Ed Van Wesep testified before the Colorado House Committee on Business Affairs and Labor concerning the Earned Wage Access Service Provider Bill, directly informing legislative decisions.
- Community collaboration: David Gross, teaching professor and associate chair of the finance division, serves on high-impact boards like the Boulder Community Health Foundation and CollegeInvest.
In addition, Leeds faculty regularly lend their expertise to leading industry events. The school will host the Choice Symposium in summer 2026 and the 2027 INFORMS Revenue Management and Pricing (RMP) Section Conference.