Postgraduate Researchers receive the Andrew Douglas Outstanding PhD Student Award

Published on

The University of Liverpool Management School hosted an award ceremony to celebrate outstanding postgraduate researchers.

Director of the School, Professor Julia Balogun, secured funding for The Andrew Douglas Outstanding PhD Student Award, which she chose to award to a student who has demonstrated a significant contribution to the School.

A panel of academics were so impressed by the shortlist and the quality of each candidate, that the award was given to two students. The award was bestowed to Leighann Spencer, and Sanna Laksá at the ceremony hosted by Prof Julia Balogun and Dr Dilani Jayawarna.

Leighann’s research looks at “Tough men and sensitive women? Exploring the significance of gender dynamics in workplace mistreatment”. Her research seeks to explore and understand the significance of gender dynamics in the process and experience of workplace mistreatment.

Sanna’s research is an exploration of the suitability of auctions for allocating quota. As part of the reform of the Faroese fisheries management system, auctions have been introduced as a means to allocate fishing rights. The optimality of the auctions in 2016 and 2017 is investigated and finally alternative ways of designing auctions will be explored in order to improve efficiency in the industry and to increase social welfare.  

On winning the award, Sanna commented: “I was thrilled when I heard I had won the prize and I just want to take the time to thank Andrew Douglas and the Management School for making this prize available to us. It offered us a great chance to showcase our work and gave me huge confidence in the trajectory of my PhD.”

Leighann added: “Receiving this award is a great honour and I would like to thank the School and Andrew Douglas for offering opportunities such as this one. The event was a great chance to talk to my fellow students and staff and celebrate the work of our peers”.

As part of a Russell Group University, research is integral to the Management School and this recognition of postgraduate researchers is a testament to the quality of research activity taking place within the School.