European Textile Manufacturing Competence Professors and Supervisors

Meike TilebeinView profile

Professor

University of StuttgartGermany

Meike Tilebein is a Professor and Director of the Institute for Diversity Studies in Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Stuttgart. She has been a full professor since November 2009 and leads research at the intersection of engineering, management, and social systems. Her work emphasizes digital transformation, sustainability, and diversity in innovation processes, particularly in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the textile industry. PhD in Economics and Social Sciences (Dr. rer. pol.), University of Stuttgart, 2004 Dipl.-Ing. in Technical Cybernetics, University of Stuttgart, 1995 Junior Professor in Innovation Management, European Business School, 2007–2009 Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Stuttgart, 2004–2007 Her research focuses on systems thinking, complexity science, innovation management, and diversity in engineering teams. She investigates how digital technologies enable sustainable and socially valuable business models, especially in textile microfactories and circular economy contexts. She integrates system dynamics and agent-based modeling to analyze organizational behavior and innovation processes. The most recent publications highlight trends in digital solutions for SMEs’ circularity transition, system dynamics in sustainability, and digital workflows for cradle-to-gate sustainability in textiles. These works demonstrate a strong interdisciplinary focus on sustainable engineering, digital transformation, and systemic innovation. She holds leadership roles in major academic initiatives: Research Leader, SimTech Excellence Cluster, University of Stuttgart Research Leader, Graduate School Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (GSaME) Dean of the continuing education MBE program in Intra- and Entrepreneurship (tech) Deputy Dean, Faculty 7 (2021–2023) She has served on numerous national and international committees, including the Innovation Council of the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations (Zuse), the Scientific Advisory Board for Industry 4.0 in Potsdam, and evaluation panels for the Baden-Württemberg Innovation and Research Prizes. She is also active in promoting diversity and gender equality in academia.

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Bernd KirschnerView profile

Professor

MCI Management Center InnsbruckAustria

Bernd Kirschner is a Professor of Business Administration at the Management Center Innsbruck, where he has held leadership roles including Head of the Department of Economics & Management (2006–2023), Head of various academic programs (Master's in International Business, Bachelor's in Business & Management), and Academic Director for Controlling & Corporate Management. He is also Managing Director of Kirschner Bodenbeläge GmbH & Co. KG (2022–present) and a seasoned consultant in strategy and controlling. Education: Diplom in Business Administration from Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (1994). He has taught at the Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck and Management Center Innsbruck since 1999, focusing on Controlling, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management. Research interests span strategic business models, digital transformation, internationalization of SMEs, and risk management. His work emphasizes practical applications, such as optimizing supply chains, leveraging innovation in bioeconomy, and developing performance measurement systems. He has supervised over 100 theses, addressing topics like digitalization in finance, robotics in banking, and sustainable logistics. Publications include peer-reviewed articles, books on Controlling, and contributions to Interreg Alpine Space projects. He received the FH Professorship Award (2005) and held leadership roles in professional associations like the International Controller Association (ICV). Key contributions include advancing Controlling practices in Austrian industries, advising on corporate turnarounds, and promoting entrepreneurship through lectures on global business strategies and leadership development.

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EZGİ YALÇINKAYAView profile

Associate Professor

Usak UniversityTurkey

Assoc. Prof. Ezgi Yalçinkaya is a distinguished academic at Usak University's Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Traditional Turkish Handicrafts, specializing in ceramics and traditional Turkish art. Currently serving as Associate Professor (2020-Continues) and Head of Department (2024-Continues), she has built a significant career in ceramic art research and education with 47 publications and participation in numerous international exhibitions. Her educational background includes: Competence in Art (2007-2011) from Dokuz Eylul University Postgraduate studies (2004-2007) from Dokuz Eylul University Undergraduate degree (1999-2004) from Dokuz Eylul University Dr. Yalçinkaya's research focuses on Traditional Turkish Handicrafts, Ceramics and Glasswork, and Art and Design . She specializes in Iznik ceramics, Seljuk period pottery, and the application of historical ceramic techniques in contemporary art. Her work bridges historical craftsmanship with modern artistic expression, examining floral motifs, geometric patterns, and architectural applications of ceramics. She has particularly investigated the perforated (ajur) ceramics of the Seljuk period and their contemporary interpretations. Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent focus on Ottoman ceramic heritage and its global influence. She has extensively documented Iznik ceramics' impact on European ceramic production, particularly through manufacturers like Samson and Lachenal. Her recent work explores the integration of traditional ceramic techniques in unexpected contexts including wearable art, public installations, and interdisciplinary applications with textiles and leather. Dr. Yalçinkaya has supervised 15 thesis advisories and maintains active international collaborations. She currently serves as Erasmus Program Institutional Coordinator at Usak University, facilitating academic exchange in the arts. Her artistic practice complements her academic work, with participation in over 50 exhibitions worldwide from 2007-2023, demonstrating her commitment to both theoretical and practical aspects of ceramic art.

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Sara HarperView profile

Senior Lecturer

University of BoråsSweden

Sara Harper is a Senior Lecturer in Textile Management at the University of Borås, Sweden, affiliated with the Faculty of Textiles, Engineering and Business and the Department of Business Administration and Textile Management. Her research focuses on supply network configuration, small-series production models, and sustainability in the textile and apparel industries. She holds a Ph.D. (2022) and Licentiate (2020) from the University of Borås, and a Master’s in Textile Value Chain Management (2017) and a Bachelor’s in Textile and Apparel Design (2015) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA. Her work addresses challenges in implementing small-series production in high-cost contexts, emphasizing resilience, digitalization, and European manufacturing competitiveness. Key projects include the Horizon 2020-funded 'Fashion Big Data Business Model' (2017-2021) and Sparbanksstiftelsen Sjuhärad-funded studies on local manufacturing feasibility in Sweden. Research interests span sustainable supply chain design, circular economy applications, and leveraging technology for industry transformation. Recent publications explore circular workwear, distributed manufacturing, and paradoxical tensions in production systems. She has advised projects funded by EU grants and Swedish foundations, contributing to both academic and practitioner-oriented outcomes. Collaborations include work with industry partners and academic institutions, focusing on bridging theory and practice in textile supply chain innovation. Her research often combines qualitative and quantitative methods, including structural modeling and Delphi studies, to address complex industry challenges.

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Francisco Javier Fernández RocaView profile

Associate Professor

Pablo de Olavide UniversitySpain

Francisco Javier Fernández Roca is an Associate Professor at Pablo de Olavide University , affiliated with the Department of Economics, Quantitative Methods and Economic History . He is a member of the research group GEILEF (Business Groups, Internationalization and Longevity of Family Businesses) and the INN-LAB (Business Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Family Business Laboratory). His work spans Doctoral Programs in International Relations and International Law, as well as Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Family Business. His research focuses on Economic History , Family Firms , and Business History , with particular emphasis on intergenerational transfer, socio-emotional wealth, and historical business continuity. He has explored these themes through case studies in industries like olive oil, cotton, and textiles, often analyzing the intersection of family dynamics, corporate strategy, and state policies in Spain, especially during the Franco regime. His recent publications analyze trends in family business longevity and the role of accounting information in facilitating transitions. He has also contributed to pedagogical innovations in history education using portfolio assessment. While no scientific awards are documented in the provided text, his work has been published in journals like Business History , Enterprise and Society , and Economic History Research .

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Federica AcerbiView profile

Assistant Professor

Polytechnic University of MilanItaly

Federica Acerbi is a Core Faculty member and Junior Assistant Professor in the Manufacturing Group at the School of Management, Politecnico di Milano. Her research focuses on sustainable operations management, circular economy, and digital transformation in manufacturing. She actively contributes to European and national research projects, industrial consultancy, and academic teaching. Federica’s work bridges academic theory with industrial practice, emphasizing data-driven approaches and Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance sustainability and circularity. Education: PhD in Manufacturing Management (details not specified). Teaching Roles: Teaching assistant and tutor for master courses including 'Advanced and Sustainable Manufacturing' and 'Operations Management'. Professional Activities: Co-leader of the IFIP WG 5. special interest group on Eco-Efficiency and Industrial Circular Economy. Member of the local committee for the ELEC2019 conference. Research Interests: Her work addresses challenges in circular manufacturing frameworks, digital readiness assessment (e.g., DREAMY framework), and the twin transition of industries (digital and circular). She explores low-cost digital technologies for SMEs, skills development for Industry 4.0, and sustainability in sectors like textiles, cosmetics, and batteries. Publications: Over 30+ articles (2017–2025) focus on circular economy implementation, digital tools for manufacturing, and workforce skills. Key themes include technology roadmapping, data-driven circularity, and policy-relevant frameworks. Grants & Awards: None explicitly listed in the text. Federica’s contributions are primarily research and project-based, with involvement in multiple funded initiatives. Labs & Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects like the HUBCAP platform quality assurance and the DREAMY framework development. Engages in partnerships with industries for case studies and tool implementation.

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Vitor Miranda de SouzaView profile

Lecturer

Lund UniversitySweden

Vitor Miranda de Souza is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Packaging Logistics at Lund University's Department of Service Studies within the School of Economics and Management. He serves as a Guest Lecturer at CIRCLE (the Centre for Innovation, Research and Competence in the Learning Economy) and holds a Doctorate in Engineering. His academic appointments include active roles in the Circular Value & Supply Chains project and as Principal Investigator for the ReCircleNets research initiative. Dr. de Souza's research focuses on Circular Economy frameworks, with particular expertise in Resource Circularity , Regenerative Supply Networks , and Eco-design methodologies . His work bridges industrial ecology with practical supply chain applications, developing metrics like the multi-level resource circularity index aligned with EU monitoring frameworks. He employs advanced modeling techniques including Material Flow Analysis, Agent-Based Modeling, and Ecosystem Network Analysis to address sustainability transitions in global supply chains. His publication portfolio demonstrates consistent contributions to circular economy theory since 2015, with recent work examining ecological metaphors for regenerative systems and knowledge transfer between academic disciplines. Dr. de Souza actively participates in major sustainability forums including the EurOMA Sustainability Forum 2025 and Lund University's Research Conference on Sustainable Development, where he presents research connecting circular economy principles with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Principal Investigator for ReCircleNets: Resource Circularity Networks (2022-present) Researcher in Circular Value & Supply Chains project (2024-2027) Member of Excellence Programme for Sustainable Development (2021-2027) Supervision of PhD candidates P. Lopes Cardoso de Mattos and C. de Castro Mattos His collaborative network spans European institutions with significant work connecting Lund University's research to Brazilian case studies in waste management and organizational circularity. Current projects focus on modeling displacement dynamics in sustainability transitions and developing practical tools for preparation-for-reuse systems within EU circular economy frameworks.

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REMZİ ÖZTEKİNView profile

Lecturer

Gaziantep UniversityTurkey

REMZİ ÖZTEKİN is a Lecturer at Gaziantep University's Technical Sciences Vocational School, Department of Handicrafts, since 2007. He holds two master's degrees: (1) 2019 - Handicrafts (with thesis) from Gazi University, and (2) 2017 - Educational Management, Supervision, Planning and Economics (without thesis) from Gaziantep University. Earlier education includes a 1995-1998 Applied Jewelry Technology associate degree from Marmara University and 1990-1993 technical training in jewelry from İçel Kuyumculuk. Education: M.Sc. in Handicrafts, Gazi University (2016-2019) M.Sc. in Educational Management, Gaziantep University (2013-2017) Licence in Jewelry, Mersin University (2002-2005) His research focuses on jewelry design, metalworking techniques, and educational applications in handicrafts. He has explored 3D modeling, casting processes, and CNC technologies in jewelry production. Professional activities include conducting workshops at Mersin University, participating in exhibitions like 'Different Handicrafts Meeting in Jewelry' in Mardin, and creating multimedia presentations for Gaziantep Kanal 5. He has held administrative roles as Department Head (2008-2013, 2013-2022) and Application Center Manager (since 2015) at Gaziantep University. His teaching portfolio includes courses in Plastic Arts, Jewelry Design, Ornament Terminology, and Collection Preparation, with international publications presented in Italy, Kosovo, and Turkey.

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Thomas TriebsView profile

Senior Lecturer

Loughborough UniversityUnited Kingdom

Thomas Triebs is a Senior Lecturer in Economics at Loughborough University, specializing in applied microeconomics, productivity, regulation, and management. He joined Loughborough in 2017 after roles at the Universities of Munich, Aston, and Cambridge. His research focuses on firm performance, innovation, and regulatory impacts, with recent work examining language barriers in academia and Brexit effects on German firms. Education: MSc Economics (Maastricht University) MSc European Studies (College of Europe) PhD Management Studies (University of Cambridge) His research interests emphasize practical applications of microeconomics, including management practices, regulatory reforms, and the effects of institutional changes on firm efficiency. Recent trends in his publications highlight interdisciplinary topics such as linguistic challenges in global research collaboration and the strategic use of English to attract talent. He has also contributed to energy market restructuring analyses and policy evaluations. Thomas is actively involved in graduate supervision at Loughborough and maintains an active academic profile through Google Scholar, LinkedIn, and SSRN. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with real-world policy implications, particularly in energy sectors and cross-border economic dynamics.

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