IPFET Prize for the best dissertation

The IPFET Dissertation Prize is awarded each year, it is awarded by the Investment Property Forum Educational Trust, a charity established by professional practice, which seeks to advance education in the area of property investment. The IPFET also supports and promotes research into the operation of the property investment market and regularly funds leading research projects in this area. Further details of the Trust´s role can be found at the IPF Educational Trust In addition to this the Investment Property Forum, an independent membership organisation aimed at improving the awareness, understanding and efficiency of property as an investment, can be found at the IPF Website

All students registered on a RICS accredited MA degree with the Department are eligible for the prize, which is awarded for the best dissertation on property investment, as assessed by the Examiners for the Department and by the IPFET.

2012 winner Mark Ibbotson

Mark Ibbotson won this year’s coveted IPFET Dissertation Prize. The prize is awarded by the Investment Property Forum Educational Trust (IPFET), a charity established by professional practice, which seeks to advance education in the area of property investment. The IPFET also supports and promotes research into the operation of the property investment market and regularly funds leading research projects in this area. All students registered on a RICS accredited MA degree with the Department are eligible for the prize, which is awarded for the best dissertation on property investment, as assessed by the Examiners for the Department and by the IPFET.

Mark said, “Finding out that I had won the IPFET prize came as a very welcome surprise! The MA Commercial Property degree was a challenging yet thoroughly worthwhile experience. The dissertation was no different in this respect and for my efforts to be acknowledged not only with a good grade, but also with an industry sponsored prize means a lot to me. The standard of teaching at The University of Sheffield is very high and I credit much of this success to the guidance I received from my tutors and lecturers throughout the course of the year. I really enjoyed my time taking the postgraduate degree and I believe it has put me in a great position to pursue a career in property”.

Dr Cath Jackson, Programme Director for the Property Programmes said; "I'm so pleased for Mark that he has been awarded the IPFET Prize; when I spoke to him at graduation he was very happy indeed. He investigated an area that required a lot of work and can be difficult, both in terms of research methods and in terms of gaining sufficient understanding of a complex area. His supervisor Craig Watkins and his second marker, John Henneberry, both commented to me how impressed they were with his work. The External Examiner from practice was very enthusiastic, commenting how much it contributed to a valuable new area of research. A brilliant end to a hard working year for Mark!"

2011 winner Chris Bird

Chris studied towards his MA Commercial Property during 2010-11 and chose to carry out research into “Overseas Investment and Liquidity in the London City Office Market: A Transaction Based Analysis”.

Chris said, “It is a privilege to accept the award. I have a close connection with China after studying Mandarin and living in the Far East for two years, so relished the opportunity provided by the dissertation to explore international property investment. Although data constraints meant that I was unable to focus exclusively on Chinese property transactions, contacts that I had developed through the London Field Trip sponsored by the IPFET and through my work experience meant that study into overseas investment in the comparatively transparent London office market was possible. With help from my supervisor and other tutors, it was interesting to draw on both academic and industry research publications and this helped me to develop critical reviewing skills. It was interesting to explore evolving trends in the dominant overseas investors in the London market. Overall it was a good experience, if a little stressful at times, but producing a solid dissertation and having your hard work acknowledged by your tutors and the IPFET has made it a very rewarding process.”

Dr Cath Jackson, Programme Director for the Property Programmes commented, “Chris’ dissertation was inspired by his time spent living in China and I’m really pleased that he was able to combine his interests with his studies. He chose a topical and interesting area for his dissertation, but also one which presented him with a number of methodological and data challenges. I’m thrilled for him that he produced a really good piece of work and that we were able to recommend to the IPFET that he be awarded the Prize for Best Dissertation.”

2010 winner Kate O'Neil

Kate studied for her RICS-accredited MA during 2009-10, culminating in the submission of her dissertation, entitled "Buildings of Cultural Importance: Exploring the Networks Within".

Kate said, "I am delighted to have been awarded the IPFET Prize for Best Dissertation. It really makes all the hard work I put into the dissertation worthwhile. I enjoyed the dissertation - it gave me a chance to choose a topic I found really interesting and explore it in depth. It also gave me experience in the process of coordinating and completing a big project, which has been really useful now that I am working full time towards my APC. Oh, and spending the money was really great too!"

Kate's dissertation was supervised by Professor Gordon Dabinett (Head of Department, 2007-11). He said, "This is good news and richly deserved. I enjoyed supervising this dissertation, and it´s a testament to the quality of research-led teaching in property studies."

At the time of winning Kate was working towards her APC with GL Hearn (at their Manchester office).