After two Corona years, the 7th PhD School of Logistics – the Graduate School of Logistics’ summer school – is back live and in person. From July 4-8, 2022, the focus will be on “How To: The New Supply Chain Management – Digital, Resilient, Sustainable Supply Networks.” The Summer School is explicitly aimed at doctoral students and teaches scientific methods as well as the use and potential of the most recent technologies. For an immediate transfer of science into practice, the Live Case Study is offered.

The current crises and the war in Ukraine have shown how fragile our supply chains are. A new, resilient, flexible and sustainable supply chain management is needed – and even more, a comprehensive supply chain strategy. A big challenge that is very complex. That is why we are tackling them together with top-class scientists and doctoral students from all over the world and are shaping the SCM of the future together and compactly in one week at Fraunhofer IML in Dortmund.

In terms of new supply chains, transparency plays a major role. This requires large amounts of data, which are processed using statistical analysis methods. Simulations and digital twins help to set up forecasts, if-then scenarios and real-time analysis of new crises. In the new global and regional supply chains, everything is built on diversification of partners. But these can only come together through platforms, and blockchain technology helps with certification, payment processes, and end-to-end transparency across the supply chain. Then, to actually get into implementation, you need open source – accessible, neutral and customizable software and hardware components that are adaptable to individual needs. Based on this structured approach to building new supply chains, the agenda for this year’s Summer School is built.

In line with the concept of the Graduate School of Logistics, the theoretical knowledge gained is then tested directly on a concrete practical example. In the live case study, four interdisciplinary teams each develop a solution concept based on supply chain data from one company. We are pleased that we could win the Open Logistics Foundation as a cooperation partner. In addition to replanning a supply chain, the focus is then also on the question of which open source components will be needed in the future to enable corporate networks to make their supply chains resilient and sustainable. The best team will be awarded during the Summer School. However, the remaining teams will not go without a reward and will receive a consolation prize.

In addition to the main program, there will also be time to network. During the PhD, a comprehensive PhD network is essential. This allows participants to find sparring partners, meet possible co-authors for papers and journal articles, and discuss their own dissertation topic.

The participation fee includes all the mentioned program points including get-together and conference dinner. The dinner will take place in the center of Dortmund. For the overnight stays there are hotel recommendations on the website and also the directions are described. The event will be hosted by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Michael Henke, Spokesman of the Board of the Graduate School of Logistics, Chair of Enterprise Logistics at TU Dortmund University and Institute Director at the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML.

Click here for registration and further information