In 2024, the Behavioural Research for Inclusivity, Sustainability and Technological Transformation (BRISTT) research cluster initiated an internationalisation project, enabling six distinguished international scholars from the US, Germany, and Vietnam to visit and collaborate. Some events were co-hosted with other research centres within Sheffield University Management School, allowing BRISTT members to deepen existing relationships across research disciplines and foster connections with esteemed researchers from leading universities. This initiative aims to drive cutting-edge research in digital transformation, inclusivity, and responsible consumption and production.
Digital Transformation
Professor Yusen Xia from Georgia State University (Director of the Institute for Insight and senior editor of the Production and Operations Management and Decision Sciences journals) delivered his research talk on interdisciplinary research in sustainable consumption and production at events co-hosted by the Marketing and Operations Management groups. He also offered an exchange visit for BRISTT members and expressed interest in collaborative funding opportunities focused on AI applications in healthcare.
Through a research talk on consumer engagement, Professor Babak Taheri from Texas A&M University engaged with BRISTT members, leading workshops that spurred collaborative projects among early-career researchers. Texas A&M University and Sheffield University Management School have now formed a collaborative team working on an innovative research project exploring the application of AR technology in marketing.
By partnering with these institutions, along with 13 other well-regarded universities, Dr Yichuan Wang and Professor Hossein Olya established SHIFT (Sustainable Horizons in Future Technologies), a global network aimed at advancing BRISTT's internationalisation efforts.
Inclusivity
Dr Linda Alkire from Texas State University delivered a research talk on Transformative Service Research, facilitated an idea development workshop, and contributed to the Management School's international PhD scholarship application which, although unsuccessful, has helped strengthen future collaborative potential.
Partnering with BRISTT, Dr Hoang Anh Nguyen from FPT University in Vietnam collaborated on a study of Vietnam's creative industries, conducted interviews with industry leaders, and initiated co-authored publications and a Newton Fund Grant application.
Responsible Consumption and Innovation
Presenting a talk on Open Science, Professor Matthew Thomson, Associate Editor of the Journal of Consumer Psychology, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst emphasised transparency, reproducibility, and ethical research practices. He and his team are currently working with BRISTT members and postgraduate researchers to develop quality outputs advancing responsible consumption.
In a seminar on qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) and configuration theory, Professor Alexander Leischnig from Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg toured the i-Lab and explored collaborative research and grant opportunities, particularly in innovations within B2B marketing.
As part of an EU-funded grant on sustainable food consumption, Dr Shilpa Taneja will visit Wageningen University in the Netherlands this month to contribute her expertise and advance this important research initiative.