This final episode of Season 5 brings together the current president of AHRD, Dr. Seung Won Yoon of Texas A&M University, the current president-elect of AHRD, Dr. Joshua Collins of the University of Minnesota, and the president of AHRD from 2020 to 2022, Dr Laura Bierema of the University of Georgia. The conversation is facilitated by the current past president of AHRD Dr. Khalil Dirani of Texas A&M University. The four discuss how to respond to challenges to HRD academic programs including:

• What is the current climate like for HRD academic programs in the United States, and what factors are most influencing the climate?
• How did we get to this point – what’s a brief history of HRD academic programs in the United States?
• Looking ahead, where do you see this going – how do you see HRD academic programs changing in the next few years?
• How can HRD academic programs respond to the current and upcoming challenges, and what new opportunities could emerge?
• What role can AHRD play as a professional organization to support HRD academic programs as they face these challenges?
• and much more.

For full details on the HRD Masterclass series, visit hrdmasterclass.com, and for the bios of the guest scholars visit allbypodcast.com/deib.

For more information on the Academy of Human Resource Development, visit ahrd.org.

This episode is sponsored by The Academy of Human Resource Development: Are you ready to transform HRD in 2026? Join the Academy of Human Resource Development at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott in Irving, Texas, from February 11th to 13th 2026 for the 33rd International Research Conference in the Americas! Whether you’re a seasoned professional or first-time attendee, the 2026 AHRD Conference is your gateway to professional development, community, networking, collaboration, and actionable solutions. Registration is now open at www.ahrd.org.

In this penultimate episode of Season 5, guests Dr. Claire Gubbins (Dublin City University), Dr. Katherine Rosenbusch (George Mason University), and Dr. Matthew Hurtienne (University of Texas at Tyler) discuss how to connect HRD research and practice, including:

• What is the current state of the connection between research and practice for HRD, and how did we get here?
• What are the main factors sustaining that current state?
• What would be the benefits to HRD academics and HRD practitioners of improving the connection between research and practice?
• What are some of the actions that HRD academics could take to improve the connection between research and practice?
• What are some of the actions that HRD practitioners could take to improve the connection between research and practice?
• How are AHRD and UFHRD supporting initiatives to improve the connection, and what further actions could happen in the future?
• and much more.

For full details on the HRD Masterclass series, visit hrdmasterclass.com, and for the bios of the guest scholars visit allbypodcast.com/practice.

For more information on the Academy of Human Resource Development, visit ahrd.org.

This episode is sponsored by Dr. Thomas Garavan, Department of Management and Marketing, Cork University Business School, University College Cork, Ireland.

In this ninth episode of Season 5, guests Dr. Nicole Dillard (University of Minnesota), Dr. Ciarán McFadden (University of Stirling), and Dr. Jeremy W. Bohonos (Texas State University) discuss how HRD can respond to the challenges facing DEIB, including:

• What do we mean by the term DEIB and what other terms might people be using that are similar?
• How has DEIB been in the news in recent years, and how do you view these recent events in the context of the longer-term view/history?
• What challenges are HRD professionals facing on DEIB as a result of these recent events?
• How can HRD professionals respond to these challenges and continue to make progress on DEIB?
• As HRD professionals navigate the current context for DEIB, what options and choices are open to them, and what decisions do they need to make?
• What can we learn from the current context that can help HRD to move forward on DEIB?
• and much more.

For full details on the HRD Masterclass series, visit hrdmasterclass.com, and for the bios of the guest scholars visit allbypodcast.com/deib.

For more information on the Academy of Human Resource Development, visit ahrd.org.

This episode is sponsored by The Academy of Human Resource Development: Are you ready to transform HRD in 2026? Join the Academy of Human Resource Development at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott in Irving, Texas, from February 11th to 13th 2026 for the 33rd International Research Conference in the Americas! Whether you’re a seasoned professional or first-time attendee, the 2026 AHRD Conference is your gateway to professional development, community, networking, collaboration, and actionable solutions. Registration is now open at www.ahrd.org.