Andrew Davies, a professor at the University of Sussex Business School, has been awarded the prestigious PMI Research Achievement Award. This esteemed award recognises his significant contributions to the field of project management.

“I’m over the moon about receiving this award. Past winners are academics I really respect - they’ve shaped my thinking about projects and innovation” says Andrew.

The award, presented by the Project Management Institute (PMI), recognises an individual who has made significant advancements in the field of project management through outstanding research. PMI received two separate applications supporting Andrew’s award – the first time two supporting applications have been submitted for this award.

Andrew has played a pivotal role in developing pioneering research at the interface between innovation and project management. The award committee stated: “Andrew’s prolific, scholarly work has made numerous contributions to the field of project management, with special emphases on innovation and integration in managing major programs and complex systems, but we are especially impressed with its multidisciplinary nature.

“His research record is outstanding and his academic, as well as business- and policy-oriented, work at the intersection of project- and innovation management has made a myriad of contributions not only to multiple generations of academics, but also to business leaders and policymakers grappling with challenges in managing and leading megaprojects and complex systems.”

Andrew has delivered flagship work at the Business School’s Science Policy Research Unit as RM Phillips Freeman Chair and Professor of Innovation Management. This has recently included research on Project X, an initiative which enhances the capability and reputation of the UK government in executing major programmes and projects through world-class research. He is currently working on the Shoreham Port decarbonisation plan, which has the ambitious aim of achieving net zero by 2035.

PMI is the world’s largest professional project management body with over 750,000 members globally.  The PMI Research Achievement Award recognises and honours an individual whose work has significantly advanced the concepts, knowledge, and practices of project management through a published body of academic research. The award has been given since 2003.