UEL wins 2023 ABP Biz Psych Cup

Course leader Sonya Dineva said, "We are incredibly proud of our team and their remarkable achievement in winning the 2023 ABP Biz Psych Cup. It is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and innovative thinking. 

"This victory marks the second consecutive year that a team from UEL has emerged triumphant, underscoring the exceptional calibre of our students and the strength of our business psychology programme. 

"Their success highlights the transformative impact of bridging academia and real-world challenges, and we are thrilled to see our students excel in applying their psychology and team-working skills to solve pressing business issues."

The School of Psychology's winning entry - captured in a poster - focused on the critical question of enhancing psychological safety in hybrid/remote teams within organisations such as NatWest Group.

The team, consisting of Anna Abonyi, Christina Eleftheriadou, Yinka Adesina, and Teodora Kukova, presented a thought-provoking and innovative approach to the challenge.

Their recommendations included the introduction of the Kudos App, an online platform facilitating employee recognition for efforts in enhancing psychological safety. Using the COM-B model and Nudge theory, this reward system aimed to encourage all employees to acknowledge and reward behaviours and qualities exhibited by their colleagues that contribute to psychological safety.

Another recommendation was the implementation of the "red card" concept, which allowed team members to express judgment-free opinions during physical and virtual meetings. Inspired by the COM-B Model of Behaviour Change, this concept offered individuals the opportunity to contribute without fear of negative judgment or repercussions.

The University of East London's team also proposed the inclusion of yearly performance reviews as a means to sustain psychological safety in the workplace. By incorporating individual efforts and outcomes related to psychological safety, the team aimed to ensure continued motivation and commitment to fostering a safe and supportive work environment.

The judging panel, comprising representatives from the four corporate members (Meta-LUCID/RELX, SHL, Arup, and NatWest Group) and professionals from the ABP, praised the excellence of the submissions from all five shortlisted teams. 

However, it was the University of East London's innovative solutions, coupled with the outstanding quality of their poster and client presentation, that set them apart as joint winners alongside the University of the West of England.

Dr Dawn Nicholson, ABP board member and Head of University Accreditation, expressed her pride in the participating teams and commended their efforts in tackling real business problems.

She said, "We are proud of all of the teams and everyone who came together to support the 2023 Biz Psych Cup and contribute to its success. All of the teams did a great job, but the two winning teams stood out for their approach, the quality of their posters, and their excellent client presentation."

Dr Nicholson announced plans to expand the event by increasing the number of teams and challenges for the upcoming year, providing even more students with the opportunity to apply their psychology and team-working skills to real-world business challenges.

If you are interested in our post-graduate Business Psychology MSc, or our undergraduate Psychology  courses, visit our web pages.