At Birmingham Business School we are working for a responsible future, and this year we are launching our first Responsible Business Student Challenge. The challenge is open to all students in the School, and is an opportunity for you to be creative and explore the ideas of responsible business through whichever areas interest you most, with some great prizes up for grabs!

The Launch Event will be hosted by the Dean of the Business School, Professor Cathy Cassell on 16th March. You will will be able to find out more about what the challenge involves, get inspiration from academics on how to approach your chosen responsible business angle and how to make your submission stand out to our judging panel.

We will tell you everything you need to know about the challenge during this launch event and there will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you have.

The Challenge:

The Covid-19 pandemic has both created major challenges and opportunities in society and has the potential to fast-track business innovation and transform the way in which we work. Many companies and organisations (such as charities or governments departments) will be reviewing their operations, either to increase profitability or efficacy in the ‘new normal’, or simply just to survive. Changes to how we live, travel, work, and shop will likely last beyond the pandemic itself, and businesses and organisations need to respond.

But how can they adapt responsibly? What can we learn from the pandemic to bring about a more responsible future? What does it mean for an organisation to do the ‘right thing’ in a post-Covid world? Your challenge is to investigate the theme of ‘Responsible Business in a Post-pandemic World’, through the lens of a company or organisation of your choice.

Your challenge will be to:

• Carry out independent research into the impact and implications of the pandemic, with a focus on any subject area.

• Choose a company or organisation to which you will apply your findings and recommendations.

• Adopting the role of consultant to your chosen organisation, produce a short video to persuade the organisation of the importance of your findings to the future success of their operations.

First Prize:

A summer internship at one of the The Big Four Accountancy/Professional Service Firms

Runner Up Prizes Include:

• Cash prize of £500

• The opportunity to enroll on a part-time virtual internship scheme

• A series of bespoke networking opportunities tailored to you by our Alumni team

• Tours of local businesses, hosted by our Alumni team

The challenge launches on the 16th March and the submission deadline will be 19th April with winners being announced the following week.