We are thrilled to announce that MIGSO-PCUBED has been awarded the Research Paper of the Year at the APM Education and Research Awards 2026 the most prestigious recognition in the UK project management profession.
The winning paper, 'Managing Strategic Relationships in Inter-Organisational Projects', was authored by Juan Sandoval and David Whitmore of MIGSO-PCUBED alongside Ilias Krystallis of The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction at University College London, and Martina Huemann of WU Vienna University of Economics and Business. The award was announced on 29 April 2026.
About the research
The paper explores one of the most critical and often overlooked aspects of delivering complex projects: how organisations manage their relationships with each other.
Using four major UK infrastructure projects as its foundation, the research finds that it is the quality of relational behaviours between partners, not the strength of contracts or transactional controls, that ultimately determines whether a project succeeds. It is the first study of its kind to provide project professionals with a practical, evidence-based framework for building and measuring those relationships across complex, multi-party environments.
What this means for our profession
"This award reflects the value of combining deep practitioner experience with academic rigour. The insights we uncovered have real implications for how major programmes are structured and governed and we hope this research helps project teams across the industry build stronger, more effective partnerships"
Juan Sandoval, Senior Researcher
The APM Education and Research Awards celebrate those who have advanced the theory, knowledge and practice of project management. Winning this category judged across contribution to theory, research rigour, significance to practice, and potential for impact reflects the quality and relevance of work being done at the intersection of academia and industry.
For MIGSO-PCUBED, this recognition is a proud moment. It demonstrates that our consultants are not only delivering excellence on the ground for our clients every day, but are also actively shaping the future of the project management profession through rigorous, peer-reviewed research.
Our commitment to the industry
MIGSO-PCUBED has a long-standing relationship with the Association for Project Management, and we are proud to contribute to the body of knowledge that underpins our profession. This award sits alongside our ongoing commitment to excellence, continuous learning, and advancing project management practice globally.
Congratulations to Juan and the entire research team. We look forward to seeing the impact of this work across the industry.
