Professor Thomas Lawrence 'best of the best' for responsible scientific research into refugee crisis

The Responsible Research in Business Management Committee commented: ‘These studies exemplify the principles of responsible research, and they strive for broad and significant societal benefits by informing politics, improving practice, and advancing theory. The winners are truly "best of the best", and Professor Lawrence's accomplishment deserves special commendation for conducting this research.' 

The annual award honours high-quality scientific research addressing critical issues in business and society. The work was chosen from 122 submitted scholarly works after undergoing a rigorous two-stage review process, with finalists chosen based on joint recommendations of the academic Fellows and the practitioner executives. The award is co-sponsored by Fellows of the Academy of Management and the Community for Responsible Research in Business and Management.  

Tom commented: ‘Professional recognition of this kind of research is immensely important, as it signals to our whole academic community the importance of using research and theory to examine questions and problems that are profoundly important but sit outside traditional boundaries around business and management scholarship’.  

Tom is a leader in developing research strategy and organisation theory, integrating cultural understandings of organisations, industries and fields, and the role of individuals and organisations in creating change. His research shows social institutions' importance in facilitating and constraining social innovation and change and how controversial practices can be transformed across distinct contexts. His research published in the Academy of Management Journal in February 2022 focused on how a multi-sector network of organizations and individuals imported a controversial approach to what seemed like an intractable problem - drug addiction and overdose deaths in their community. You can learn more about Tom’s research in an interview he did recently for the Lit Review, an Academy of Management Journal podcast. 

Commenting on the recognition Andrew Stephen, Deputy Dean for Faculty and Research and L’Oreal Professor of Marketing, said: ‘Tom is a first-class academic whose work helps to create a safer, kinder world. This research exemplifies his important impact on communities across the globe and I am delighted to see him recognised with this prestigious award. I extend my sincere congratulations to him and thank him for enriching our School community.’