Hye Jin Rho Receives Prestigious LERA John T. Dunlop Outstanding Scholar Award

Dr. Hye Jin Rho

Dr. Hye Jin Rho, assistant professor in the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations at Michigan State University, has been named a recipient of the 2026 John T. Dunlop Outstanding Scholar Award from the Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA).

The award recognizes early-career scholars who have made significant contributions to research in labor and employment relations. Dr. Rho was honored for her outstanding scholarship addressing industrial relations and employment issues of national significance, placing her among a select group of emerging leaders in the field.

Presented annually by LERA, the John T. Dunlop Outstanding Scholar Award highlights researchers whose work advances understanding of workplace dynamics, labor policy, and employment practices. The award is named after John T. Dunlop, a pioneering scholar in industrial relations and former U.S. Secretary of Labor, reflecting a legacy of impactful, policy-relevant research.

Dr. Rho's research focuses on the changing nature of work and organizations and its implications for employment processes and outcomes dictating the future of work. She employs both quantitative and qualitative methods in her research, at the intersection of labor relations, sociology of work, and applied labor economics. Her work has been widely recognized for its rigor and relevance to contemporary labor challenges.

She joins a distinguished cohort of scholars from leading institutions who were honored in 2026 for their contributions to labor and employment research.

Congratulations Hye Jin!