Teaching and learning

Asper School professor earns global award for aeronautics

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has recognized Dr. Barry Prentice for his contributions to transport research.

Barry prentice receives an award
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Michael Conners, Barry Prentice, and Rick Mange
Michael Conners, Barry Prentice, and Rick Mange
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes

Asper School of Business Professor Dr. Barry Prentice has received a prestigious lifetime achievement award for Outstanding Advancement of the Art and Science of Buoyant Flight from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). 

Rick Mange, a chief engineer at Lockheed Martin, and Michael Conners, associate fellow at AIAA, presented Prentice with the award at the prestigious AIAA AVIATION in San Diego, California. 

This recognition is a testament to Barry’s lifelong commitment to advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable transportation solutions. His pioneering work has significantly advanced airship technology and inspired industry professionals, researchers, and students alike. 
 

I’d like to thank the AIAA for this award, as well as Asper faculty, staff and students for your constant collaboration and inspiration

Dr. Barry Prentice

portrait of Barry Prentice

Dr. Prentice has been a friendly face around the halls of UM and the Asper School of Business for 41 years. 

Dr. Prentice has been a Professor of Supply Chain Management at the Asper School since 1985. Around the time he began, UM broke ground on the Transport Institute, located within the Asper School. 

Dr. Prentice served as director of the Transport Institute from 1996 to 2005; he returned in 2021 and still holds the post. He is the only person who has been involved with the Transport Institute throughout its entire history.

Located in Winnipeg, a Canadian supply chain hub, the Transport Institute has become one of the premier Canadian places for transportation and logistics thought leadership.

Dr. Prentice has described the institute as “a real gem,” due to unique programming such as the Master of Supply Chain Management and Logistics (MSCM) program, one of Canada’s only graduate programs specific to supply chain and logistics scholarship, and the world-class Fields on Wheels conference, conceived of and led by Dr. Prentice, which is now in its 30th year. 

Queen Elizabeth interacts with a crowd behind a barrier
Queen Elizabeth II, who was visiting UM, turned the first sod on the University of Manitoba Transport Institute

Through his research and outreach to the academic community, he has advanced research areas such as sustainable transportation, including the potential use of airships for northern transportation, agribusiness logistics, food trade between Canada and Mexico, and more.

“I’d like to thank the AIAA for this award, as well as Asper faculty, staff and students for your constant collaboration and inspiration,” said Dr. Prentice. 

“In my career, the thing I’m most proud of is creating a community around the Transport Institute. It is wonderful to be a part of a group of like-minded individuals sharing ideas and engaging in discussions that can genuinely affect the industry on a day-to-day level.”

The University of Manitoba Transport Institute plays a highly important role in defining the direction of Canada’s and the world’s future scholarly research in transportation and logistics. Learn more here.

Boilerplate: Creating knowledge

UM is home to researchers and scholars who respond to emerging issues and lead innovation in our province and around the world. Creating knowledge that matters is one of the strategic themes you’ll find in MomentUM: Leading change together the University of Manitoba’s 2024–2029 strategic plan.