Professor Yufeng Zhang is a Chair in Operations Management and Head of the Department of Management at Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Fellow of the Alan Turing Institute. His academic journey began at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, continued at the Technical University of Berlin, and culminated with a PhD from the University of Cambridge, where he also worked as a Research Associate before joining Birmingham in 2009. PhD, Engineering – University of Cambridge MSc/Dipl-Ing, Global Production Engineering – Technical University of Berlin BEng, Mechanical Engineering & Automation – Shanghai Jiao Tong University BEng, International Finance – Shanghai Jiao Tong University PG Cert in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education Yufeng Zhang’s research focuses on sustainability, digitalisation, engineering innovation, and global network operations. His work integrates engineering and management perspectives, employing qualitative, quantitative, and simulation methods. He has led numerous projects funded by UK, EU, and international bodies, and has published over 80 refereed papers in top-tier journals such as Journal of Operations Management , International Journal of Production Economics , and Journal of Cleaner Production . His recent publications highlight trends in green operations, sustainable supply chains, digital transformation, and network capabilities. The research spans subfields including environmental performance, IoT integration, supply chain flexibility, and servitisation, reflecting a strong interdisciplinary focus on modern operational challenges. His scientific awards include the University’s Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award (2013), Literati Nominations for Highly Recommended Papers (2008, 2013), and recognition as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Turing Fellow. Yufeng has supervised over 20 PhD students and has held key roles such as Deputy Lead for REF2021, Director of Business Programmes with Engineering, Sciences, Law and Languages (2010–2017), and Coordinator of Europe China High Value Engineering Networks (EC-HVEN). He is an External Examiner for multiple universities and a Visiting Professor at Zhejiang University, demonstrating extensive academic leadership and collaboration. He leads and contributes to research labs and networks focused on engineering innovation and sustainable operations, including collaborations with industry and international institutions. His future work continues to explore the intersection of digital technologies, sustainability, and global operations, aiming to shape resilient and responsible business practices.










