The American Real Estate Society (ARES) has introduced a new award to promote research in behavioral real estate, named after Michael J. Seiler, a prominent professor at William & Mary. The Michael J. Seiler Behavioral Research Commendation is designed to encourage scholars from various fields to explore the behavioral dimensions of real estate, aiming to foster deeper understanding and innovation in this growing area.
Seiler, who holds the J. Edward Zollinger Endowed Chair as Professor of Finance & Real Estate, is well-known for his contributions to the field and is a former president of ARES. The commendation highlights his influence and dedication to real estate research, particularly in the behavioral aspects that have shaped much of his career. By naming the award after Seiler, ARES aims to not only honor his legacy but also to inspire new research efforts in this critical area.
The recipient of the Michael J. Seiler Behavioral Research Commendation will be announced at the ARES annual spring meeting, where they will join other distinguished awardees, such as those honored with the David Ricardo Medal, Richard Ratcliff Award, and Graaskamp Awards. This recognition places the new commendation among the society’s most prestigious honors.
The establishment of the award has been met with enthusiasm within the academic community. Vivek Sah, ARES president and director of the Franklin L. Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management, emphasized the importance of this initiative in advancing behavioral real estate research. The commendation is seen as a pivotal move to increase scholarly engagement in a field that holds immense potential for further exploration and development.
Seiler himself expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting his excitement to see future research in the area he has passionately worked on throughout his career. Todd Mooradian, dean of the Raymond A. Mason School of Business, also praised the award, acknowledging it as a fitting tribute to Seiler’s impactful work and a milestone for encouraging new generations of researchers to contribute to behavioral real estate.
In summary, the introduction of the Michael J. Seiler Behavioral Research Commendation marks a significant step in advancing research within the real estate field. Through this initiative, ARES hopes to inspire scholars to further explore the behavioral elements that influence the real estate market.
