A prestigious award for research on sustainable development goals and lobbying during the COVID-19 crisis

Francesco Rosati, associate professor and Wiebke Marie Junk, associate professor, received the Tietgen Award 2021, a prestigious award in business-related humanities and social sciences. Francesco Rosati, associated professor at DTU, received the award for his research on how the business community can contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Wiebke Marie Junk, associate professor at the University of Copenhagen, was given the award for her research on lobbying, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the political activities of enterprises and interest groups.

The Tietgen Award is awarded by an independent committee under the Danish Society for Education and Business (DSEB). Both recipients were recognized for their contributions to addressing significant global social challenges. The chair Torben Möger Pedersen praised Francesco Rosati for providing knowledge capable of supporting the development of commercial solutions to these challenges.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals have highlighted important challenges. However, most attempts to translate these goals into action focus on what governments and authorities can do. Therefore, there is great potential in supporting businesses in how they can contribute to these efforts,’ the chair said.

Wiebke Marie Junk was praised for her significant contribution to a more informed public debate about the darker side of lobbyists’ influence on the political system.

‘It’s an important building block in democracy to uncover both formal and informal power structures and shed light on how this informal influence affects political decision-making processes,’ said Torben Möger Pedersen.

More facts about the entrepreneurship and pandemic influence

The funding received by both these young researchers will be used to conduct further and more in-depth research in their respective fields. Francesco Rosati will use the funding to delve deeper into the conditions for entrepreneurship.

‘The research project will examine the institutional, organizational, and individual factors that drive or hinder entrepreneurship and innovation within the UN Sustainable Development Goals,’ he explained.

Wiebke Marie Junk will focus on further investigating how the COVID-19 crisis affects the advocacy of interest organizations and enterprises.

‘With the support of the Tietgen Award, I can continue a new project that examines the crisis’ effects on advocacy in Europe,’ said the young researcher.

The award was presented by an independent jury, chaired by Jakob Roland Munch, professor at the Department of Economics at the University of Copenhagen.

‘This year’s winners have impressed the jury in their own ways. Francesco Rosati focuses on an extremely relevant topic concerning the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and he has already established himself as a well-published and well-cited researcher. Wiebke received her PhD just two years ago and has managed to publish a solo article in one of the absolute top journals in her field, which is entirely unique. Her research is a strong contribution to the democratic debate,’ said Jakob Roland Munch.