Martin Conyon Awarded 2021 Mee Family Prize for Lifetime Research Excellence

Martin Conyon firmly believes in a thoughtful and thorough approach to intellectual inquiry. 

According to the Trustee Professor of Economics, “the best scholarship happens in an active marketplace of ideas.” In his view, it’s vital for universities to establish forums for “free and open inquiry,” as outlined in the Chicago Principles — a well-known document, issued in 2014 by the Committee on Freedom of Expression at the University of Chicago and subsequently adopted by other institutions, that pledges an “overarching commitment to free, robust and uninhibited debate and deliberation” and guarantees “the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn.”  

The unrestricted pursuit of knowledge is the guiding principle for Conyon’s own research: One of Bentley’s most prolific scholars, he has published more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and 20 book chapters, and his work has garnered nearly 12,500 citations from other academics.  

In recognition of his efforts, Conyon received the 2021 Mee Family Prize. Established in 2012 through an endowed gift from Michael Mee ’66 and his wife, Judy, the award is given to a full-time faculty member whose exceptional research has enhanced the university’s scholarly standing.  
 

“I’m remarkably humbled, and incredibly grateful to the Mee family for their unfailing commitment to scholarship, one of Bentley’s core values,” Conyon says of the honor. Despite the influence his research has had on multiple disciplines — economics, finance and management among them — he’s quick to downplay his contributions: “I potter along.” 

Born and raised in England, Conyon emigrated to the U.S. in 2000. Prior to joining the Bentley faculty in 2015, he taught at several prestigious universities, including Oxford University, Warwick University, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and ESSEC Business School in France and Singapore.  

In addition to teaching Bentley students about economics, econometrics and corporate governance, Conyon currently serves as a senior fellow at the Wharton School and a fellow at Cornell University’s Institute for Compensation Studies. He’s also a visiting professor at the Copenhagen Business School in Denmark. 

“I feel very fortunate to have worked at universities all my life,” Conyon says. “Quite simply, I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.”