Bella Ren

Bella (Zhiying) Ren is an Assistant Professor in the Management and Organizations area at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. She received her PhD in Decision Processes from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ren studies why communication and information exchange sometimes falter in organizations, even when individuals and teams are genuinely trying to listen and collaborate. She examines this question in the context of conflict, decision-making, and negotiation. Her research shows that the fundamental human need to feel validated and to belong can distort how people interpret others’ words and actions. In particular, these needs can cause individuals to mistake disagreement for poor listening, misinterpret constructive feedback, and assume alignment where it may not exist—ultimately undermining learning, collaboration, and leadership effectiveness. Through her work, Dr. Ren uncovers the psychological barriers that get in the way of productive dialogue and develops practical strategies for fostering more open, curious, and constructive communication at work. Her research has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review.

Bella Ren, an Assistant Professor at Duke University, focuses on the dynamics of conversation, disagreement, and negotiation. Her research explores how social engagement motives influence the spread of conspiracy theories and how authoritarian leaders use conspiracy theories to attack opponents and undermine democratic institutions. Ren also investigates negotiation strategies, such as inflated perceptions of jeopardizing deals, and the role of deception in interpersonal interactions. Her work highlights the misinterpretation of disagreement as poor listening and its implications for communication. Through these studies, Ren contributes to understanding the psychological and social mechanisms underlying conflict and cooperation in discourse.