Biography
Dr. Jeff Allen is a Regents Professor of Information Science at the University of North Texas and an internationally recognized expert in organizational wisdom, evidence-based decision-making, and workforce transformation. With over 30 years of experience in knowledge management and human resource development, he has dedicated his career to helping leaders and teams unlock their full potential by bridging individual insight with collective wisdom.
As the Founding Director of the Center for Knowledge Solutions, Dr. Allen has collaborated with government agencies, industry leaders, and academic institutions to improve how organizations share and apply knowledge. He empowers professionals to lead with insight and purpose in a rapidly evolving world of work.
Dr. Allen’s leadership extends to academic publishing as well. He served as the Founding Editor of Learning and Performance Quarterly, Editor-in-Chief of Performance Improvement Quarterly, and Editor of Career and Technical Education Research, and continues to contribute to multiple editorial boards around the globe.
His latest book, Fostering Wisdom at Work, part of the Routledge Focus on Business and Management Series, explores how individuals and organizations can cultivate wisdom to thrive amid complexity and change. Through his research, writing, and mentorship, Dr. Allen continues to shape the future of workforce development and knowledge leadership.
Adventures in Adversity
Since the 1990s, I have dedicated myself to the continuous improvement of mind, body and spirit. As a doctoral student at Penn State, I began a journey of body improvement to parallel that of my scholarship. This was likely the most important step of my personal discovery. I’ve studied with fantastic teachers and learned to become adaptable, resilient, and curious. This journey has led to black belts in multiple arts and, along with my career, led my exploration into different cultures.
As a mid-lifer, I chased a childhood dream and learned to box. I didn’t realize that would become a six-year odyssey with national-championship fights and two regional golden glove titles in the USA Boxing’s masters division.
In addition, I became a USA Boxing Coach under the tutelage of Joe Jimenez. The trials and tribulations of a boxing match capture life in a moment. The fears, decisions, regrets and the celebrations that happen within the boxing ring can parallel many of life’s adversities and experiences.
I transitioned to triathlon and ultra-distance running with KMF Endurance Club. I wanted to become a well-rounded athlete. I learned a much deeper understanding of self as I moved through the distance of triathlon from sprints to becoming a 3-time Ironman. Ultra-running brought a new set of challenges as I raced through trails and mountains to find new level of achievement – culminated in a 100mile ultra distance event finish.
In 2022, I moved back to martial arts to continue another avenue of self-discovery. It’s hard beginning again, but the journey is the goal. It starts again with a white belt, hoping that it will eventually shade to black. More than any of my other endeavors, jujitsu requires a dynamic partnership of two people pushing each other to their very limit, while protecting them as family. Another lesson learned in the gym, as valuable as those that came before it.
…and finally, my mantra:
You can’t cheat the grind…It knows how hard you’ve worked, the effort that you’ve put in, and the time you’ve dedicated toward it…It much you have invested. It won’t give you anything that you have not worked for.
Dr. Jeff M. Allen 