We are pleased to announce that our Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Strategy, Jan Godsell, has been recognised as the first ever winner of the Real Impact Awards ‘Individual’ category.

Professor Godsell, who was nominated for the award by our Chairman Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, impressed the judges with the way that she puts practitioners, policy makers and the public at the heart of her scholarship, and her innovative approach to building impact through storytelling, poems, physical artwork and the media.

The Real Impact Awards celebrate the commitment to impact by the research community across the globe, honour the change-makers, and bring together key stakeholders in the impact debate.

The awards aim to raise the profile of individuals, teams and institutions that have placed real impact at the top of their agenda; recognise innovative approaches to impact; celebrate interdisciplinary research; bridge the gap between research and practice; and tell real impact success stories and showcase those driving the debate.

Professor Godsell is a chartered engineer with 30 years experience of operations and supply chain management across a broad range of industrial sectors. Sponsored through University by ICI, Jan continued to work in Zeneca Pharmaceuticals on graduation. The skills and capabilities she learnt, from a large corporate perspective, she transferred to support the successful growth of Dyson, at the time a fast-expanding SME. For the last 17 years, Jan has sought to ensure that impact and relevance are at the heart of her scholarship in Supply Chain Management (SCM).

Professor Godsell said: “Supply chains have a huge impact on our lives. They keep us housed, clothed, nourished, healthy and educated. I hope that receiving this award will enable me to further amplify the impact of my work. To help consumers, practitioners and policy makers make better decisions. Decisions that will enable us to get the things we need at lowest possible cost, in a sustainable way that ensures a fair return to all.”

Professor Godsell’s commitment to impact will now be included as a case study in the Real Impact Awards Showcase book.

Find out more about the awards here