Portsmouth Business School
Belching cow research awarded Neil Rackham prize
Wed, Jun 9, 2010
The inaugural Neil Rackham prizes for Research Dissemination and Research Excellence were awarded at the sixth annual Research and Knowledge Transfer Conference which took place in the University of Portsmouth Business School (PBS) yesterday.
PBS economist, Professor Andy Thorpe, took a business-approach to the problem of methane-producing animals and discovered that a single herd of cows can produce annual emissions of methane (CH4) roughly equivalent in energy terms to using 21,400 litres of petrol to drive a family car 180,000 km.
Professor Thorpe’s research generated strong international and national media interest, including reports in eight British national newspapers, more than 40 regional newspapers, on radio stations, television and countless websites, from those devoted to specialist trade news to consumer magazines.
The Research Excellence Prize was awarded to Dr Mintewab Bezabih for her paper on environmental change and the contribution of biodiversity to ecosystem adaption. Her work was judged on its originality, significance and rigour and its contribution to practical management, business and the economy.
The Research and Knowledge Transfer Conference saw nearly 50 economists, lawyers, accountants and strategists present the latest business research to over 150 guests.
This is the first year the conference has included awards for research dissemination and research excellence – both sponsored by international sales management expert, Professor Neil Rackham.
Neil Rackham is a visiting professor at Portsmouth Business School which has pioneered sales education in Europe with its part-time Masters in Sales Management programme. He is known throughout the world as a speaker, writer and authority on sales and marketing issues.
He said: “There is a very vibrant research community at the Portsmouth Business School and it is important to celebrate this. The Research and Knowledge Transfer conference really demonstrates the depth, diversity and quality of research being carried out at Portsmouth so I am delighted to be in a position to sponsor the research awards.”
Dr Mintewab Bezabih was awarded a cheque for £5000 and Professor Andy Thorpe received £2500. The winners will be invited to give a public lecture early in the autumn to discuss their research.
Ann Ridley, Dean of the Business School said: “This annual conference is an ideal opportunity to present the many varied cutting edge projects that we are proud to be involved in. We are especially thrilled this year to elevate the status of the conference by introducing the Neil Rackham research prizes in excellence and dissemination. The inclusion of an awards ceremony is a wonderful way to inspire great researchers to do great research.
“Professor Andy Thorpe's research into what the media called "belching cows", achieved unprecedented national and international press coverage for the Business School and resulted in Professor Thorpe giving multiple print, radio and television interviews.
"This was highly topical, news worthy research which caught the attention of news desks across the world. It was very good to see it gaining such reach into non-academic audiences."