Hunt originally studied mechanical engineering at Ohio University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1962.
After working as a technical sales representative for Hercules Plastics Inc, he began his academic career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1969.
[4] His research interests are in the fields of "Competition, Strategy, Marketing Theory, Ethics, Macromarketing, and Philosophy of Science."
[5] He and his work are the subject of the publication, Legends in Marketing: Shelby D. Hunt, edited by Jagdish N. Sheth and published in 2011.
[7] Hunt was the recipient of multiple awards for his scholarship and services to education, including:[8] Books Articles/ Chapters