Even in an online setting, Dr. Steven Gray has experienced lively debate, insightful questions, and endless curiosity in his classes. As a new MAN 336H professor whose research is rooted in analyzing relationships within new venture teams, Dr. Gray seeks to use the already-founded relationships within Canfield BHP students to enrich the (virtual) learning experience.
Dr. Gray is in his fourth year as a professor within McCombs, but this is his first year teaching Canfield BHP students. Prior to UT, he earned his B.A. in Psychology from Yale, Master’s in Organizational Psychology from Columbia, and Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Washington University. In between degrees, Dr. Gray worked at IMB as a consultant, advising Fortune 100 pharmaceutical and telecommunications clients. He was drawn to McCombs and Austin because of the unique nature of the city, research opportunities, and students.
“(In my research) I study startup teams, so being in an ecosystem as vibrant as Austin is a big draw for me and a unique chance to go out and see entrepreneurs and hear their stories and learn about what they’re doing. That was kind of what initially drew me here,” Dr. Gray said. “I study how new venture teams come together. What are the traps that founders fall into as they’re trying to assemble their team and then what can they do to make that better? I try to incorporate teams into my teaching– teams in general, not just the formation process. I do take the perspective of introducing team selection and team formation and to some of the classwork.” Continue reading
