Episode 1: The Real Value of a DBA with Dr. Sunil Wattal

In our very first episode of Cohort in Progress, we sit down in person in Philadelphia at MNYK Studios with Dr. Sunil Wattal, Associate Dean of Research and Doctoral Programs at the Fox School of Business, Temple University. Sunil is also a Professor of Management Information Systems and a Harold Schaefer Senior Fellow.

We explore what a DBA program really is, how it differs from a PhD, and what success looks like for executive doctoral education today. From there, the conversation expands into Sunil’s research on attention, distraction, and consumer behavior, including how fake news spreads, how distraction strategies influence decision-making, and what AI means for the future of research.

Along the way, we connect academic insight to real-world examples, touching on everything from Red Lobster to Cheez Whiz.

This episode blends research, practice, and personality. Hope you enjoy!