Photo caption: L-R: Professor Ekant Veer, Professor Michelle (Mikki) Rae Hebl, Associate Professor Remi Trudel, Associate Professor Clifford Lewis and Professor Paul Ballantine.
That hot topic sparked lively discussion – and plenty of humour – during a Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) free public talk in Ōtautahi Christchurch, hosted by three internationally renowned researchers specialising in workplace diversity.
The first of the UC Business School’s 2026 Thought Leadership Series, The Meritocracy Paradox: The Benefits of a Diverse Workplace, featured two academic guest speakers from the United States; Professor Michelle (Mikki) Rae Hebl from Rice University and Associate Professor Remi Trudel from Boston University, along with Associate Professor Clifford Lewis, from Charles Sturt University in Australia.
Structured presentations followed by a panel discussion, the event featured concise, research-led talks. Each speaker combined research insights with relatable examples, keeping the conversation engaging while tackling complex and sometimes controversial ideas.
Professor Hebl discussed the “meritocracy paradox”, noting that organisations that see themselves as merit-based can still allow bias to persist without clear safeguards. Associate Professor Trudel highlighted research showing artificial intelligence systems or Large Language Models (LLM’s) may replicate or amplify existing biases, particularly in hiring contexts. Associate Professor Lewis challenged audiences to consider how lived experience and unequal opportunity shape how merit is defined and assessed.
All three speakers are currently based in the Department of Management, Marketing and Tourism at UC’s Business School as Erskine Fellows. A unique UC programme that supports international academics to spend between one- and three-months teaching at the University, sharing their expertise and knowledge.
Together, the panel highlighted that debates about meritocracy and DEI are not abstract or distant. They shape hiring decisions, workplace culture, organisational performance and community wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.
Professor Michelle (Mikki) Rae Hebl is the Martha and Henry Malcolm Lovett Professor of Psychological Sciences at Rice University. She is one of the world’s most respected scholars on workplace discrimination, inclusion, and organisational behaviour.
Associate Professor Remi Trudel has researched consumer decision-making, social responsibility, and behavioural science. His work helps businesses understand how consumers make ethical choices, what drives pro-social behaviour, and how firms can create competitive advantage through meaningful sustainability strategies.
Associate Professor Clifford Lewis specialises in service marketing, place branding, and cultural consumption. His work is particularly relevant for tourism operators, regional development agencies, and organisations wanting to understand multicultural markets.
