The Logistics Research Network (LRN) -Oman 2025 will be jointly organized by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), UK and Faculty of Transport and Logistics, Muscat University, Oman. The LRN looks to improve upon the areas in which it serves and aims to have the research generated by the forum members make impactful contributions to the logistics, supply chain and operations management professions. LRN Oman 2025 will provide a unique opportunity for the academic community in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and its surroundings to explore fruitful collaboration and generate groundbreaking research on supply chain sustainability, resilience and NetZero logistics.
The conference will provide the opportunity to network with logistics and transportation professionals, academic staff, the governmental sector, industrial partners, researchers, students, and the community in GCC and its surroundings.
Venue: Faculty of Transport and Logistics, Muscat University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Keynote Speakers

Prof. Michael Bourlakis
Cranfield University
Digitalisation in Food & Urban Supply Chains

Prof. Vasco Sanchez Rodrigues
Cardiff University
Sustainable Supply Chain Research: A funding-project-output journey
Research Seminar
Prof. Vasco Sanchez Rodrigues
Cardiff University
MSc/Phd Level/Staff (Research Excellence – Key ingredients for generating high-quality research in Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Logistics (Mixed Method Approach) Msc/Phd Level/Staff
Panel Session Chairs

Dr. Dnyaneshwar Mogale
Cardiff University, UK
Deputy Chair of LRN for Impact + Session Chair

Dr. Haiyan Lu
Newcastle University, UK
Deputy Chair of LRN for Research Excellence + Session Chair
Committee Members LRN 2025 Muscat Chapter
Dr. Ahmed Zain (FTL Muscat University, OM)
Dr. Ahmed Zainul Abideen is a Lecturer in Sustainable Supply Chain and Analytics, BSc Program Coordinator, and Academic Advising Focal Point at the Faculty of Transport and Logistics, Muscat University, and a Thesis Instructor at Liverpool John Moores University, U.K. With extensive experience in academia and research, he has held positions as a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Post-Doctoral Associate at the Institute of Business Excellence, UiTM, Malaysia, and Research Associate at MISI, part of the MIT Global Scale Network. Dr. Zain is currently leading a Ministry of Higher Education-funded project in Oman on developing Logistics 4.0 maturity levels in freight logistics. He has also secured federal grants for projects such as designing an integrated vaccination ergonomic model to reduce operational lead time and also modeling disruptions in Malaysia’s retail food supply chain. His accolades include winning the Simulation Competition at IEOM Dubai 2024 and the CITREX 2019 National Innovator in Research Award, Malayaia. Dr. Zain specializes in simulation modeling (discrete event), green field analysis, supply chain network optimization, scenario planning, and bibliometric analysis.
Dr. Meilinda Maghfiroh (FTL Muscat University, OM)
Dr. Meilinda Maghfiroh is a seasoned researcher and lecturer specializing in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Humanitarian Logistics, and Sustainable Transportation. Currently serving as a Lecturer and MSc Program Coordinator at Muscat University, she holds a Doctorate in Global Engineering and Development for Environment and Society from the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Dr. Meilinda has considerable research expertise in Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand, including electric vehicle readiness and agricultural optimization studies. As a lecturer and researcher, she is passionate about shaping the next generation of logistics and supply chain professionals while contributing to impactful research that addresses sustainability and global interconnectedness
Prof. Vasco Sanchez Rodrigues (Cardiff University, UK)
Chair of the CILT’s Logistics Research Network Forum + Keynote Speaker (Day 2)+
Session Chair + Expert for Research Seminar
Vasco Sanchez Rodrigues is a Professor of Sustainable Supply Chain Management and acts as the Head of the Logistics & Operations Management Section at Cardiff Business School (Cardiff University). He is also the Chair of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport-sponsored Logistics Research Forum. Dr Vasco is a highly active supply chain and logistics professional that has an established track record on leading applied research projects and working closely with organisations within the UK retail, food and drinks, and European logistics sectors. Vasco have held principal investigator roles in multiple research projects, including the Co-operation for Growth Project (Co-growth), innovation Lean Effectiveness Green Operations (iLEGO), food waste research projects funded by Ocado and GiroZero, bringing to Cardiff University a total of £3.5 million from UK BEIS/FCDO, Innovate UK, the Engineering Physical Science Research Council, WEFO, Welsh Government and Ocado. Vasco recently led the development of an executive education training course in supply chain analytics. Vasco publishes actively in principal international academic journals and holds other external academic leadership roles, i.e., editorial board member of Resources Conservation and Recycling, and visiting professorships in Universidad del Desarrollo and Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso (Chile) and Universidad de Queensland (Australia).
Dr. Dnyaneshwar Mogale (Cardiff University, UK)
Deputy Chair of LRN for Impact + Session Chair + Expert for Research Seminar
Dr Dnyaneshwar (Danny) Mogale is a Senior Lecturer at Cardiff Business School. He is an FHEA Fellow and a dedicated member of CILT’s Logistics Research Network (LRN) forum. Danny is passionate about Supply Chain and Logistics Modelling, with research interests spanning Risk and Resilience as well as Sustainability. Notably, he has a strong track record of securing grants from diverse funding bodies, including Global Wales, ESRC IAA, and Innovate UK. He has worked with various industries including Yusen Logistics, Ocado, PharmDel, Moy Park and Tower Cold Chain Solutions. Danny has authored numerous research articles in prestigious international journals, including Transportation Research Part E, International Journal of Production Economics, International Journal of Production Research, Production Planning and Control, Annals of Operations Research, and Computers and Industrial Engineering. Additionally, he actively contributes as a reviewer for various leading international journals in the fields of Operations, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management.
Dr. Hayat Harati ( Muscat University, OM)
Dr. Hayat Harati is an accomplished academic and researcher with over a 15 years of experience in education and 8 years in academic administration. She currently serves as the Director of Research and Innovation at Muscat University, where she leads initiatives to advance academic excellence and foster groundbreaking research. Prior to this role, Dr. Harati was a Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, and Head of the Neuroscience Research Center (NRC). She also served as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Al-Kafaat University, contributing significantly to the development and coordination of educational and research programs. Dr. Harati’s expertise and leadership continue to drive impactful contributions in medical sciences, research, and innovation.
Dr. Jacob Pratabaraj (FTL Muscat University, OM)
Dr. Jacob Pratabaraj is working as a lecturer in the Faculty of Transport and Logistics at Muscat University, Oman. He obtained his PhD in Supply Chian performance from the Karunya University. In addition to teaching and leadership, Jacob Pratabaraj is deeply engaged in supply chain management research, focusing on the intersection of sustainability, technology, and resilience. Fascinated by the dynamic challenges of global supply chains His research interests span supply chain, sustainable networks, supply chain resilience, and supply chain performance management. He has secured several research grants from various institutes and across different regions, published in top-quality journals, and participated in various conferences and technical committees. He is an academician and has 10 years of teaching and research experience and also engaged himself in various consultancy across both public and private sectors.
Prof. Michael Bourlakis (Cranfield University, UK)
VP of CILT International+
Keynote Speaker (Day 1) + Session Chair + Expert for Research Seminar
Professor Michael Bourlakis is the Director of Research for the Cranfield Faculty of Business & Management and the Head of the Centre for Logistics, Procurement and Supply Chain Management. Michael is an internationally renowned and established authority in logistics and supply chain management. He has been very successful in winning substantial external funding including more than 400 research and consulting projects totalling more than £45 million (total allocated project funding) from various bodies and private companies. Professor Michael Bourlakis has generated more than 90 journal papers and 5 edited books. Professor Bourlakis has been a Chair and Keynote Speaker for leading logistics academic and industry conferences worldwide and his multidisciplinary research work and impactful thought leadership has received considerable attention by the media (BBC News, ITV News, BBC Radio 4 Today, The Guardian, Wall Street Journal etc.). His work has also involved numerous multinational companies including, inter alia, Carrefour, DHL, Knight Frank, Leonardo, Metro and Tesco. Michael joined the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) Panel as a full Panel Member for “Business and Management Studies” representing the logistics, supply chain and operations management disciplines where he was involved with the evaluation of UK Business Schools. In 2024, he became Vice President (International) and a Trustee for the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (International) which is a leading Institute in Logistics worldwide.
Dr. Haiyan Lu (Newcastle University, UK)
Deputy Chair of LRN for Research Excellence + Session Chair + Expert for Research Seminar
Dr. Haiyan Lu serves as the deputy chair of research and excellence for the Logistics Research Network. In the academic sphere, she is highly regarded, particularly in the field of sustainable supply chain management. Her work emphasizes the crucial roles of digitalization and innovation within operations and supply chain theories and practices. Within the realm of food supply chains, Dr. Lu has developed the insights with a multi – level perspective. She analyzes how to balance economic progress and social requirements in food sustainability by enhancing supply chain traceability. Additionally, she studies the key operational and institutional elements that contribute to improving food safety. Her research on risk analysis in the agri – food supply chain and the application of blockchain technology in the agri – food value chain management demonstrates her profound understanding of this complex sector. Moreover, she delves into the “soft” influencing factors, such as social networks, government policies, and community – and place – based approvals, in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the social system related to food sustainability. Dr. Haiyan Lu also holds the position of Area Editor in the Operations Management Review. She publishes her own research and also serves as an active reviewer for numerous top – tier academic journals, including Supply Chain Management, Production Planning and Control, International Journal of Production Research, and Journal of Cleaner Production. Through her extensive body of work, Dr. Haiyan Lu has firmly established herself as an authority in her research areas. Her contributions continue to shape both the academic understanding and practical applications of supply chain management and sustainability.
Alli Glandfield (CILT International)
Head of Administration and Governance, CILT UK
Alli has worked in office support services and administration for 40 years; the last 24 in events and partnerships for CILT(UK) – enabling volunteers, members and sponsors to collaborate. She now supports the Executive Secretariat team with ongoing progression, success and influence of CILT, taking overall responsibility for the day-to-day governance and administration associated with membership, communication and reporting across all country organisations and international committees.
ABOUT LRN
The LRN is an informal network of academics, researchers, practitioners and other interested individuals working in the area of logistics, supply chain management and operations management. Its main objective is to facilitate the generation, promotion and dissemination of relevant research. The LRN looks to improve upon the areas in which it serves and aims to have the research generated by the forum members make impactful contributions to the logistics, supply chain and operations management professions. LRN is Forum of CILT(UK) and the conference is in its 26th year.
This year, in conjunction with CILT International and Muscat University, the LRN Forum will run its first full conference outside the UK and Ireland. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport is the leading professional body for everyone who works in supply chain, logistics and transport. We are a global family, representing professionals at all levels across all sectors, dedicated to giving individuals and organisations access to the tools, the knowledge and the connections vital to success in the logistics and transport industry. Founded in 1919 with a mission to improve industry practices and nurture talent, our Institute supports over 30,000 members in more than 40 countries. Through our educational suite, our strong community and our commitment to high standards, we help professionals at all levels to develop their careers and access better jobs.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
We welcome scholars and practitioners from around the world to join us in Oman to present and discuss their research which includes, but not limited to, the following topics:
- Global challenges and opportunities in sustainable supply chains and logistics.
- Sustainable supply chain management and NetZero logistics and their influence on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- The role of renewable energy adoption and low-carbon freight transportation for enabling NetZero logistics.
- Building sustainable and resilient supply chain ecosystems through digital transformation and Industry 4.0/5.0.
- Impact of collaboratively transportation and logistics to achieve NetZero logistics and advancing innovation in supply chain sustainability.
- Resilient Infrastructure & Climate-Adaptive Logistics: Designing climate-ready, sustainable logistics systems to withstand environmental challenges
Additionally the conference sessions will focus on the sub topics from the GCC context given below:
Sustainable Smart Logistics and Circular Economy: Integrating innovative and sustainable practices to enhance logistics and promote circular supply chain models in the GCC.
Climate Change and Energy Management: Tackling climate impacts by balancing energy consumption, renewable energy generation, and efficiency in supply chains.
Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization in Sustainable Supply Chain: Leveraging AI and digital technologies to create smarter, more resilient supply chains in the GCC.
Cross-Border Collaboration and Global Disruptions: Strengthening regional and global supply chain integration to navigate disruptions and enhance resilience.
Empowering Local Economies through Regenerative Supply Chains: Supporting regional growth by fostering sustainable, regenerative, and circular supply chain and logistics management.
Important dates :
- Deadline for Extended Abstract Submission: Friday, 19 February 2025 (extended)
- Abstract Acceptance Announcement: Sunday, 9th of March 2025
- Registration Deadline: Sunday, 16th of March 2025
Registration Fees
- Standard Registration Fee: $350
- Full-time PhD Students: $250
(Morning/Afternoon Tea/Coffee/Snacks & Lunches included)
General Guidelines
The extended abstract must contain the following sections: purpose, research approach, findings and originality, research impact, practical impact, keywords, and references.
The extended abstract shall be written in font ARIAL, single line spacing and 10 font size. İt should contain a minimum of 300 and a maximum of 500 words.
The extended abstracts can contain figures, tables and/or images which are not included in the word count. The maximum 3 references are not included in the word count. The page format should be A4 page size with margins of 2.5 cm from the right, left, top and bottom. The pages should not be numbered.
Publication
All the accepted abstract will be included in the LRN 2025 Proceedings with a dedicated ISBN number. Also selected abstracts will be invited for full paper submission to International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications.

Conference Venue
Venue: Faculty of Transport and Logistics, Muscat University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Muscat University is a vibrant, fast-growing university located in the heart of Muscat, Oman. Renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and fostering innovation, the university serves as a hub for research and collaboration in the Gulf region. Muscat, the capital city of Oman, is a cultural and economic powerhouse known for its breathtaking natural beauty, combining pristine beaches, rugged mountains, and rich historical heritage. As a city that seamlessly blends tradition and modernity, Muscat offers an inspiring environment for intellectual engagement and discovery.
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