Dr. Rebecca Paluch named 2026 Western Academy of Management Ascendant Scholar

The Western Academy of Management (WAM) has announced that Dr. Rebecca Paluch, Assistant Professor in UBC Sauder’s Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources Division, has been named a 2026 WAM Ascendant Scholar.

To be chosen as a WAM Ascendant Scholar, a person must have a maximum of six to seven years of experience, and a record which includes:

• Great research, which is usually determined by the quality and number of articles published,
• Great teaching, which is usually determined by teaching nominations or awards or other types of teaching contributions,
• Engaging professional service, whether with the Academy or with business, and
• A trajectory or potential that looks very promising for the future.

“I’m honoured by this recognition,” says Dr. Paluch. “It motivates me to continue exploring how people navigate their careers in a constantly evolving world of work and to share that knowledge through my research, teaching, and service.”

Dr. Paluch is a champion of EDI at UBC Sauder through her innovative research, her teaching, and her contributions internally at the school and beyond. Her research covers non-traditional employment relationships, diversity and inclusion in organizations and post-employment relationships. Dr. Paluch is a thought leader at UBC Sauder’s Montalbano Centre for Responsible Leadership Development, and is currently teaching courses at the undergraduate level (Leading Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Organizations and Managing Employment Relationship).

To learn more about Dr. Paluch and her research, read her Montalbano Centre Faculty in Focus spotlight article here.

The 2026 WAM Ascendant Scholars will be celebrated at the 2026 WAM's 67th Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico from March 11-14, 2026.

For a full list of current and past Ascendant Scholars, see the WAM website here.