The gap between management research and practice remains stubbornly wide, but a growing movement of dedicated educators is working to change that by embedding evidence-based management into university curricula. This episode explores their journeys, challenges, and successes.

We hear from three university teachers who have pioneered different approaches to teaching evidence-based management - from introducing elements into existing courses to creating entire programs centered around evidence-based decision-making.

Christina Rader from Colorado College shares how she gradually incorporated the approach into her classes and now has students working on real-world projects with local organizations.

Kemp Ellington from Appalachian State University explains how their department created a dedicated evidence-based management course as part of a curriculum overhaul focused on critical thinking and data literacy.

Mary Foster recounts how Morgan State University, a historically Black college, integrated evidence-based management as a core competency across multiple courses to develop skills that wouldn't be replaced by automation.

Eric Barends, Managing Director of the Center for Evidence-Based Management, provides perspective on how his organization supports these "lone wolves" and curriculum champions, offering online course modules, consulting, and a network for teachers to share resources and experiences. He outlines the spectrum of implementation approaches, from introducing basic concepts in existing courses to fully embedding the methodology across entire programs.

The episode highlights both the challenges these educators face - from skeptical colleagues to administrative hurdles and financial considerations - and the profound rewards they find in equipping students with a structured approach to making better decisions. As AI and automation reshape the business landscape, these professors argue that the critical thinking skills at the heart of evidence-based management may be the most valuable assets graduates can bring to their future careers.

Whether you're an educator looking to incorporate evidence-based approaches into your teaching or simply someone interested in how management education is evolving to meet contemporary challenges, this conversation offers valuable insights into bridging the gap between research and practice in management.

Guests:

Eric Barends PhD, Managing Director, Center of Evidence-Based Management

Kemp Ellington PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Management, Walker College of Business, Appalachian State University, North Carolina

Mary Foster PhD, Professor, retired from Morgan State University, Maryland

Christina Rader PhD, Associate Professor with Tenure, Department of Economics and Business, Colorado College

Mentions:

• Center for Evidence-Based Management
• CEBMa Teachers Network
• CEBMa Online Course
• CEBMa Evidence-Based Management Podcast

Contact:

Eric Barends, Managing Director of the Center for Evidence-Based Management

In teaching students how to gather and appraise evidence from scientific literature, it's important to guide them through the process step by step. Commonly referred to as a Critically Appraised Topic (or CAT), it's quite obviously a difficult process to do, let alone to teach.

Director of the Center for Evidence-Based Management Eric Barends takes us through the process of teaching students how to run a CAT, drawing on many years experience and his own learning of what helps. Acknowledging right up front that "it's hard" and that students (along with everyone else) will make mistakes, Eric stresses the importance of adopting a learning approach, where people learn from mistakes, rather than a performance approach where the emphasis is on doing a perfect CAT.

We also hear from other teachers who share their insights on the process, and how they've helped students navigate this tricky territory, while acquiring a highly important, valuable skill. This is a valuable episode if you're looking for insights, tips and options for how to help your students with their CATs.

Host:

Karen Plum

Guests:

• Eric Barends - Managing Director, Center of Evidence-Based Management
• Tatiana Andreeva – Associate Professor at Maynooth University School of Business
• James O’Brien - Associate Professor at Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary's University
• Xander Lub - Professor Organizations in Digital Transformation at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands
• Denise Rousseau, H J Heinz University Professor, Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, USA

Mentions:

• Center for Evidence-Based Management
• CEBMa Teachers Network
• Guidelines for REAs and CATs
• CEBMa Online Course

Contact:

Eric Barends, Managing Director of the Center for Evidence-Based Management

Why do students choose to study evidence-based management, and what do they value about the way it's taught and the skills and experience they acquire? Here we spotlight the stories of five students who have transformed their approach to learning and working through evidence-based management.

We explore the tangible benefits of evidence-based management for students of different life stages - discovering how critical thinking becomes a valued approach, leading to better outcomes in teamwork, recruitment, data analysis and how evidence is defined and sourced.

The guests share the creative teaching strategies that helped them connect with the topic - making this essential skill engaging and relevant, bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, they illustrate how evidence-based management not only equips students and professionals with vital life skills but also enhances communication and trust in diverse environments.

And in a world increasingly full of misinformation and disinformation, discover how challenging what you know becomes the first step in a journey of better informed decision-making.

Host:

Karen Plum

Guests:

• Sharon Sanchez – studied at James Madison University, Virginia
• Aaron Whear – studied at James Madison University, Virginia
• Justin McCarthy – studied at Kennesaw University, Georgia
• Luca Bugelli – studied at University of Malta and the Center for Evidence-Based Management
• Dr Joumana Haidar – studied with Professor Denise Rousseau

Mentions:

• Center for Evidence-Based Management
• CEBMa Teachers Network

Contact:

Eric Barends, Managing Director of the Center for Evidence-Based Management