Professor Claretha Hughes Receives Academy of Human Resource Development Forward Award

University Relations

Claretha Hughes

Professor Claretha Hughes, Ph.D., M.B.A., was recently awarded the 2022 Academy of Human Resource Development's Forward Award, which recognizes "significant, pioneering, landmark and/or boundary-spanning efforts in the field of human resource development."

The academy noted Hughes' extensive contributions to the human resource development field through her research and practice related to "diversity intelligence," a trademarked concept in leadership development. Hughes defined diversity intelligence as "the capability of individuals to recognize the value of workplace diversity and to use this information to guide thinking and behavior." In 2020, Hughes and U of A colleague Xinya Liang revealed the Hughes and Liang Diversity Intelligence Scale, allowing employers to improve diversity, inclusion and equity within their organizations.

This new tool is advancing human resource development by requiring leaders to possess and exhibit the knowledge to understand protected class employees as well as the legal mandates and executive orders established to protect these employees from discriminatory practices at work.

"I'm excited to know my work on diversity intelligence is moving the field of human resource development forward in terms of diversity," said Hughes, who teaches in the U of A Human Resource and Workforce Development program.

Hughes said she wishes this work wasn't needed.

"I began this work in 2014, and being recognized for the eight-year effort I have spent on this concept is rewarding," she said. "It's great when I have people that I don't know post on LinkedIn, 'Congratulations and thank you for your work; it was instrumental in the completion of my degree in I & O psych.' My diversity intelligence work transcends different fields of studies."

Holly Hutchins, vice provost for faculty success at the University of North Texas, was among those who nominated Hughes for the award.

"I have known Dr. Hughes' scholarly work for many years and am pleased to recommend her for an award that recognizes her substantial contribution to furthering diversity, inclusion and equity work in HRD with her research on diversity intelligence (DQ) and the development of her DQ assessment," she wrote.

Hutchins noted that Hughes had refined her diversity intelligence concept over the past eight years through conference publications, edited journals, book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles and presentations.

Cynthia Sims, associate professor of human resource development at Clemson University, lauded Hughes' diversity intelligence research, noting that it "has the potential to transform individuals, organizations and societies into effective leaders in the field of diversity and inclusion."

Hughes teaches courses in the College of Education and Health Professions in program and product evaluation, technology systems and resources, training and development strategies, career theory, and advanced research methodologies. She teaches "Ethical and Legal Issues in Human Resource and Workforce Development" courses at both the master and doctoral levels at the U of A. She wrote Ethical and Legal Issues in Human Resource Development: Evolving Roles and Emerging Trends. Hughes has also written a book that extends her diversity intelligence work, Workforce Inter-Personnel Diversity: The Power to Influence Human Productivity and Career Development.

Her research centers on valuing people and technology in the workplace. She has published numerous articles and chapters in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters and conference proceedings and has written 13 books. She serves as a book proposal reviewer for SAGE, Emerald, IGI Global, Palgrave Macmillan and CyberTech Publishing. She recently completed National Science Foundation Research in Formation of Engineers grant project as a co-PI.