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Two VSB Faculty Receive Villanova University Research Awards

VILLANOVA, Pa., June 10, 2021 - Villanova School of Business (VSB) is proud to announce two of its faculty members—Christopher Kilby, PhD, professor, Economics, and Manuela Priesemuth, PhD, associate professor, Management & Operations—have received 2021 Villanova University Research Awards.

“Drs. Kilby and Priesemuth are true teacher-scholars and bring prestige to Villanova as scholars of the highest rank,” said Joyce E. A. Russell, PhD, the Helen and William O’Toole Dean of VSB. “We are fortunate to have them among our distinguished faculty members in the School of Business.”

Kilby

Villanova University Outstanding Faculty Research Award

Dr. Kilby is the recipient of this year’s Villanova University Outstanding Faculty Research Award which is presented to a faculty member who demonstrates the highest standards of excellence in their research, scholarship, and contributions to their field. Given the tremendous quality of academic research undertaken throughout Villanova’s campus, this award clearly reflects Dr. Kilby’s exceptional work.

Joining VSB in 2008, Kilby is a pioneer in the field of Development Economics, most notably through his investigation of how political factors affect the allocation of aid by the World Bank. His innovative empirical research has had a substantial impact on how economists, political scientists, and development professionals think about the political and institutional determinants of foreign aid. The significance of his work is demonstrated by the high number of citations from his published works, proving that he is respected nationally and internationally. He is a long-time member of the program committee for the annual Political Economy of International Organizations (PIEO) conference and is on the editorial board of the Review of International Organizations.

“I am humbled to receive this award,” said Dr. Kilby. “At the time I started work on the political economy of international financial institutions, the field did not exist. It has been exciting to see interest in this area blossom over the years to deepen our understanding of how international development finance works (and doesn’t work). VSB’s support for high quality, academic scholarship has made this possible.”
Priesemuth

University Scholarly Achievement Award

Dr. Priesemuth is the recipient of this year’s University Scholarly Achievement Award which recognizes excellence on the part of faculty for published research, scholarship, and/or creative expression. The selection committee noted the tremendous impact of her research on the timely topic of hostile and non-inclusive workplaces and its practical importance as organizations struggle with how to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, come to terms with gender and racial equality issues, and to train the next generation of leaders. Her work offers real and actionable insight on how to create a more supportive and inclusive society and aligns with the University’s mission to do the same.

Dr. Priesemuth joined VSB in 2016 and her areas of research include toxic work climates, workplace aggression, leadership, behavioral ethics, and organizational justice. She has published in the top journals in the management field including the Academy of Management Journal, the Journal of Applied Psychology, the Journal of Management and Harvard Business Review.

“I am truly honored to receive the University Scholarly Achievement Award this year,” said Dr. Priesemuth. “It’s rewarding to see research in the realm of organizational psychology recognized at the University’s highest level and beyond. I am grateful for Villanova’s support and commitment to research that encourages me to pursue studies on workplace toxicity and how to combat it.”

The Villanova School of Business (VSB) undergraduate program is top-ranked among business schools in the nation. Its online graduate business programs are ranked #5, and its online MBA program is ranked #17 by U.S. News and World Report. VSB has been at the forefront of business education since it was founded in 1922. Serving over 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students, VSB is home to five Centers of Excellence – the Daniel M. DiLella Center for Real Estate, the Elenore and Robert F. Moran Sr. Center for Global Leadership, the Center for Business Analytics, the Center for Marketing & Consumer Insights and the Center for Church Management – with each designed to foster innovative, cross-disciplinary research and applied opportunities for students. VSB is known for academic rigor; creativity and innovation; hands-on and service learning opportunities; a firm grounding in ethics; and an applied education that prepares students to become outstanding leaders and global citizens within the ever-changing, complex, and fast-paced world of business. For more, visit business.villanova.edu.