Laura Lee Bierema

LAURA L. BIEREMA is Professor at, University of Georgia, College of Education, program of Adult Learning, Leadership, and Organization Development. Dr. Bierema’s research interests include workplace learning, career development, women’s development, organization development, executive coaching, leadership, and critical human resource development. Dr. Bierema holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University and a doctorate in adult education from the University of Georgia. She has over 160 publications, including 10 books and the award-winning text Adult Learning: Linking Theory & Practice with Dr. Sharan B. Merriam and the recently co-edited book Connecting Adult Learning and Knowledge Management: Strategies for Learning and Change In Organizations with Dr. Monica Fedeli. Dr. Bierema served as Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the UGA College of Education from 2013-2017.

Dr. Bierema’s research interests include workplace learning, career development, women’s development, organization development, executive coaching, leadership, and critical human resource development. Dr. Bierema holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University and a doctorate in adult education from UGA. She has published over 60 articles that have appeared in both research and professional publications. Dr. Bierema’s books include: • Women’s Career Development Across the Lifespan • Philosophy and Practice of Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change • Critical Issues in Human Resource Development • Implementing a Critical Approach to Organization Development • Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice • An Introduction to Organization Development: An Action Research Approach • Connecting Adult Learning and Knowledge Management: Strategies for Learning and Change In Organizations. • An Introduction to Organization Development: An Action Research Approach, 2nd Edition • Human Resource Development: Critical Perspectives and Practice (forthcoming) • Rethinking Career Development (forthcoming) • The Inquiry Action Coaching Process (forthcoming)

Dr. Bierema is a Cyril O. Houle Scholar in Adult and Continuing Education and Lilly Fellow. She is the recipient of the Richard A. Swanson Excellence in Research Award and four Academy of Human Resource Development’s “Cutting Edge” Awards for a best conference paper. She is the 2009 recipient of the Highly Commended Award by the Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence; 2012 winner of the University of Georgia College of Education Russell H. Yeany, Jr. Research Award; 2012 recipient of the Sherpa Trailblazer of the Year Award in recognition of innovation application of the Sherpa Coaching Process; 2013 winner of the Academy of Human Resource Development’s Outstanding Scholar Award; 2014 winner of the Academy of Human Resource Development’s Book of the Year; 2015 winner of the University, Professional, and Continuing Education Association Phillip E. Frandson Award for Literature; 2017 recognition as a Master Executive Coach by Sherpa Coaching; 2018 U.S. Fulbright Research Scholar; 2018-2019 UGA Senior Teaching Fellow, 2019 recipient of the Ira Aaron Teaching Excellence and Collegiality Award, 2022 Inductee into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame; 2022 Textbook & Academic Authors Association Textbook Excellence “Texty” Award; and 2022 UGA Mary Frances Early College of Education Aderhold Distinguished Professor.

Lest Dr. Bierema takes herself too seriously, she balances her left brain by learning to knit, talking to her dogs, riding her bicycle around the world with her spouse Mark, tasting fine wines, collecting original art, cooking gourmet vegetarian meals, reading great literature and trashy novels, traveling to interesting places near and far, indulging in gastronomic adventures with friends, and hitting the beach whenever possible, preferably in Onekama, MI.