Richard M. Locke

Richard M. Locke is the John C Head III Dean of the MIT Sloan School of Management. A scholar of international labor standards and comparative political economy, his appointment as dean marks his return to MIT, where he previously served as head of Political Science and MIT Sloan’s deputy dean. He began his career at MIT in 1988.

Before this appointment, Locke was Dean of Apple University, focusing on internal leadership and management education for Apple, Inc. Prior to that, he served for nearly eight years as Provost at Brown University, overseeing its strategic plan, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and boosting research growth. He joined Brown’s faculty in 2013 as a professor and director of the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs.

As dean, Locke envisions MIT Sloan charting the future of management education, with a focus on how new technologies will impact education, industry, and the workplace. He is also committed to exploring opportunities for international growth and impact through MIT Sloan’s global corporate and educational partnerships. Central to Locke’s vision is the ongoing development of partnerships and engagement with key initiatives at MIT which are focused on health, climate, AI, policy, and more.

Locke’s career has consistently bridged theory and practice. He has advised organizations like Nike and the U.S. Department of Labor, authored several books, and published numerous peer-reviewed articles. An award-winning teacher and researcher, he holds degrees from Wesleyan University, the University of Chicago, and a PhD from MIT.