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Mission & History

AHRD is a global organization made up of, governed by, and created for the Human Resource Development (HRD) scholarly community of academics and reflective practitioners.

The Academy was formed to encourage systematic study of human resource development theories, processes, and practices; to disseminate information about HRD; to encourage the application of HRD research findings; and to provide opportunities for social interaction among individuals with scholarly and professional interests in HRD from multiple disciplines and from across the globe.

Our Vision and Mission

AHRD Vision: Leading human resource development through research.

Mission Statement

  • To develop a community of interest recognized as a global human resource development center of excellence that promotes ethical research and practice.
  • To influence and encourage the creation and systematic study of theories, processes, and techniques that advance human resource development.
  • To foster research-practice linkages.
  • To disseminate knowledge of human resource development theories, processes, and techniques.
  • To encourage the incorporation of research results into HRD degree and professional development programs.
  • To provide fellowship for individuals with scholarly and professional interests in human resource development.

Our History

The Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) was founded on May 7, 1993, to encourage the systematic study of Human Resource Development (HRD) theories, processes, and practices; to disseminate information about HRD; to encourage the application of HRD research findings; and to provide opportunities for social interaction among individuals with scholarly and professional interests in HRD from multiple disciplines and from across the globe. This remains the mission today. The organization’s vision is "Leading Human Resource Development through Research.”

The Professor’s Network of the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) and the University Council for Research on HRD provided the catalyst for the development of AHRD. The combined goal of wanting to advance the profession through research and scholarship realigned the two groups into the newly formed and independent Academy of Human Resource Development. The founder and first president, R. Wayne Pace, was a professor at Brigham Young University and is now retired, but still participates in AHRD activities.

Currently, AHRD sponsors three International Research Conferences per year: in the Americas, in Europe (in cooperation with the University Forum on HRD), and in Asia; publishes four journals (Advances in Developing Human Resources, Human Resource Development International, Human Resource Development Quarterly, and Human Resource Development Review); and has approximately 700 members across the world.