Congratulations to Alliance MBS Professor Duncan Shaw, who co-chairs the National Consortium for Societal Resilience [UK+] (NCSR+). This team, including David Powell, Judy Scully and Jenny Moreno, has been announced as a finalist in the ESRC Celebrating Impact Prize 2023 for their global work on spontaneous volunteers which was central to national responses to COVID-19.
NCSR+, was established 'to enhance the UK[+] whole-of-society approach to resilience, so that individuals, community groups, businesses, and organisations can all play a meaningful part in building the resilience of our society'.
The ESRC Celebrating Impact Prize, now in its 11th year, is an annual opportunity to recognise the success of ESRC-funded researchers in achieving and enabling outstanding economic or societal impact from their research.
Duncan is Professor in Operational Research and Critical Systems at Alliance Manchester Business School. He works in the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute focusing on developing frameworks to support decision making in emergency planning, response and recovery.
Commenting on the award, Duncan said: “Our team is deeply honoured to have been selected as one of the finalists for the Impact Prize. We are among some very worthy researchers and projects, and we wish to thank our colleagues and community for their continuing support.”
Professor Ken McPhail, Head of Alliance Manchester Business School added: “Congratulations to Duncan and the team for achieving recognition for the vital work around COVID which has not only delivered unique insights but has created significant impact. This mirrors our motto Original Thinking Applied which is the basis of everything we do at AMBS.”
ESRC Executive Chair Stian Westlake said: “The Economic and Social Research Council’s Celebrating Impact Prize competition is our opportunity to recognise the remarkable achievements of the UK’s outstanding economists and social scientists.
“The continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are a prominent theme among the finalists which cover a diverse array of topics. From helping retailers use data in new ways to support consumers towards healthier lifestyles, to predicting violence by analysing online behaviour, the impacts of all the finalists are impressive. I am proud that the Economic and Social Research Council has funded this research, and that we can fully recognise and celebrate the significant impact achieved.”
The Celebrating Impact Prize winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 15 November 2023.