Hakan KaraosmanView profile
Associate Professor
Dr. Hakan Karaosman is an Associate Professor at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University, and a globally recognized expert in supply chain sustainability, particularly in fashion and textiles. He serves as Chief Scientist at FReSCH (Fashion's Responsible Supply Chain Hub), a UN-recognized, EU-awarded action research project hosted by University College Dublin, and holds visiting positions at University College Dublin and Politecnico di Milano. He is Chair of the Union of Concerned Researchers in Fashion (UCRF) and an advisory board member for Remake and other sustainability initiatives. His research focuses on just transition, decarbonization, social equity, and sustainable operations in fashion supply chains. He has authored numerous influential publications in top journals such as the International Journal of Operations & Production Management , and his 2025 paper 'For the many not the few: Introducing just transition for supply chain management' was among the most downloaded in its journal. His work emphasizes systemic change, stakeholder inclusion, and action research, bridging academia and industry. Hakan’s recent publications reflect a strong thematic focus on justice, equity, and systemic transformation in fashion. Key trends include critiquing greenwashing, advocating for supplier inclusion in climate action, analyzing the social dimensions of decarbonization, and promoting just transition frameworks. His research consistently addresses power imbalances, labor rights, and the need for inclusive, people-centered sustainability strategies. His scientific honors include the Financial Times Responsible Business Education Award (2025), the Cardiff University Celebrating Excellence Award for Sustainability (2023), and being named a Sustainability Thought Leader in the Vogue Business 100 Innovators (2023). He also received a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship from the European Union. He is actively involved in postgraduate supervision and has delivered teaching on supply chain management and sustainability. His academic service includes roles as Area Editor for Operations Management Journals and editorial board member for several leading journals. He frequently collaborates with international organizations, including the UN, NGOs, and fashion companies, and is a sought-after keynote speaker at global events such as the Financial Times, TEDx, and the Global Fashion Summit. Hakan leads FReSCH, an international research hub focused on responsible fashion supply chains. He is also a founder and key organizer of initiatives like the Next Generation Assembly and A New Awareness, fostering collaboration among researchers, students, and industry stakeholders to drive systemic change in the fashion industry.










