Dr. Arun Upneja is Professor of Innovation & Financial Management at the School of Hospitality Administration, Boston University. He served as Dean of the School from 2013 to 2026, during which he transformed it into one of the leading hospitality schools in the United States, achieving a place among the top 25 globally ranked hospitality programmes. Under his leadership, the School significantly expanded its graduate portfolio, introduced STEM-designated master’s programmes, including the United States’ only specialised graduate programme in Hospitality Real Estate within a hospitality school, and strengthened its industry engagement through new advisory councils, endowments, and strategic partnerships.
A recognised academic leader, Dr. Upneja pioneered the concept of Experience Innovation as a multidisciplinary framework that combines business, psychology, communication, operations, and design to enhance customer experiences and organisational performance. He also established several flagship initiatives, including the Hospitality Leadership Summit and the ICON Award, bringing together global business leaders and innovators. His commitment to entrepreneurship is reflected in the creation of multiple innovation competitions that collectively award nearly US$100,000 annually to student-led ventures.
Dr. Upneja has been instrumental in expanding international collaboration and thought leadership in hospitality education. He launched the Classroom-to-Classroom initiative, connecting students across universities in France, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and India through collaborative learning projects. He also founded the POC Pathway Program to increase diversity within hospitality academia and strengthened the School’s intellectual influence through the Boston Hospitality Review and the Distinguished podcast, featuring conversations with leading industry executives and innovators.
Prior to joining Boston University, Dr. Upneja served as Professor of Hospitality Financial Management and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Pennsylvania State University. He began his professional career in hotel operations at the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, providing him with valuable industry experience that continues to inform his academic and research pursuits.
Dr. Upneja holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, an MBA, and a PhD in Accounting from the University of Houston, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Jammu. He is the recipient of the prestigious John Wiley & Sons Lifetime Research Achievement Award. His current research focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in hospitality operations, experience innovation, hospitality finance, and the future of technology-enabled service organisations. Through his research and engagement with industry leaders, he continues to shape the future of hospitality management and the experience economy.