Prof. Edward McLaughlin, applied economics and management, will bring “incomparable experience” to his new role as the interim dean of the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Provost Michael Kotlikoff said, announcing the appointment Tuesday.
McLaughlin, who is currently the Dyson School’s senior associate director, will begin his term on July 1 and serve until June 30, 2017 or until a new dean is named, according to a University press release.
McLaughlin studies the marketing and retailing of food and is “an eminent researcher,” College of Business Dean Soumitra Dutta said in the release.
“I know he will approach his new role with the intellect, commitment and integrity that he brings to all he does,” Dutta said.
Kotlikoff added that he believes McLaughlin’s experience with administrative leadership as senior associate director will aid him in guiding the Dyson School through a time of transition, as it evolves to become a part of the College of Business.
“Ed has been second in command at Dyson for quite a few years and, thus, offers a steady administrative hand as well as pedagogical and scholarly excellence,” Kotlikoff said in the release. “Ed is well known around the campus and widely admired at Dyson, and we are grateful for his leadership.”
As interim dean, McLaughlin said he plans to encourage research in worldwide issues such as environmental resource management and the economics of emerging market systems, according to the release.
The professor also stressed the importance of collaboration between the Dyson School and the other constituent schools of the College of Business, a body which will begin operations this fall.
“We want to continue to work in those areas, and we see lots of collaborative opportunities with our colleagues in the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management and the School of Hotel Administration,” McLaughlin said in the release. “We need to protect and preserve our legacies and the pride that all three schools justifiably have in their brands and also build upon them through collaboration.”
A search committee for the Dyson School’s new permanent dean has been appointed and will begin considering candidates soon, according to Kotlikoff.