Operations and supply chain management experts have successfully secured funding for three innovative projects as part of the University of Liverpool – Shanghai Jiao Tong University (UoL-SJTU) Research Seed Fund.
The projects, led by researchers from the School’s OSCM Group and Centre for Supply Chain Research (CSCR), cover a diverse range of research topics with a strong focus on sustainability and green strategies.
The fund’s goal is to catalyse research collaborations in complementary research areas across both universities and world-class research outputs, by facilitating access to funding from the International Science Partnership Fund and other relevant schemes.
Two of the three projects are in collaboration with researchers from the SJTU School of Ocean and Civil Engineering, and the final is being developed in partnership with academics from the SJTU School of Design.
The first project, “Innovative Approaches to Green Energy Transition in Maritime Shipping”, is spearheaded by Management School’s (ULMS) maritime transportation and logistics specialist, Dr Cagatay Iris, and SJTU’s transportation engineering expert, Professor Jiangang Jin.
The project aims to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of maritime shipping, facilitating a seamless transition to green shipping, underpinned by green energy, clean fuels and innovative smart logistics solutions.
(L-R) Professor Jiangang Jin, Dr Cagatay Iris, Professor Tolga Bektas and PhD student Leqi Zhou.
In July 2025, the OSCM Group welcomed Jiangang and PhD student Leqi Zhou – both from SJTU School of Ocean and Civil Engineering –, to attend the Mersey Maritime Technology and Innovation Forum.
During the event, focused on HyNet – the UK’s leading industrial decarbonisation project – Jin delivered an insightful seminar titled “Optimization of Ride-Sharing from Public Transportation Hubs: A GNN-Accelerated Column Generation Approach”.
Professor Jiangang Jin delivering “Optimization of Ride-Sharing from Public Transportation Hubs: A GNN-Accelerated Column Generation Approach” seminar.
The second project, “Greener Urban Freight Transport in Waterway-based Port Cities”, is led by maritime logistics and port operations specialist, Dr Yuanjun Feng, and marine engineering specialist, Dr Jie Xue.
This project explores the potential and pathways for implementing waterway-based urban freight transport in inland port cities, aiming to advance urban freight logistics solutions towards greater sustainability and resilience.
The final project, “Green Design for Circular Supply Chains in Used Textile Recycling”, is fronted by supply chain digitalisation and sustainability expert, Dr Shenghao Xie and sustainable production specialist Dr Duanyang Geng.
Also in July 2025, the OSCM Group welcomed Duanyang and Professor Ting Han, both from the SJTU School of Design, and Dr Xianwei Shi from the SJTU Antai College of Economics and Management.
During their visit they conducted a joint research workshop featuring three expert presentations, which started with Xianwei’s talk about “Bricks without Straw: Overcoming Resource Limitations to Architect Ecosystem Leadership”.
He was followed by Duanyang, who led an interactive session on “How to Visualise Energy Waste in Manufacturing,” showcasing data-driven tools to pinpoint inefficiencies.
The workshop concluded with Professor Ting’s visionary talk, “Human–Machine Hybrid Intelligence: Key Technologies and Innovative Design for Proactive Healthcare,” which explored how design thinking and AI can co-create more sustainable, human-centred systems.
(L-R) Dr Xianwei Shi, Dr Duanyang Geng, Professor Ting Han, Dr Shenghao Xie and Professor Hugo Lam pose with delegates during a webinar as part of the “Green Design for Circular Supply Chains in Used Textile Recycling” project.
The OSCM Group members involved in these projects are also planning visits to SJTU in the near future to continue the research exchanges and explore external funding applications.
SJTU is a strategic research and education partner, as it ranks among the top five research-intensive universities in China, with international reputation for excellence across engineering, life and health sciences, biosciences, creative arts, business and humanities.
Commenting on the research collaborations with SJTU, Head of the OSCM Group and Co-Director of the CSCR, Professor Andy Lyons, said:
“SJTU is amongst the top, research-intensive universities in China and we’re proud that three of the ten University seed-fund projects marking this partnership have been awarded to OSCM staff.
“The projects are already promoting interdisciplinary perspectives and fostering new ideas by leveraging our expertise in areas of complementary research strength and will lead to collaborative publications and funding applications.
“Partnerships are integral to our work in OSCM and this is another progressive new venture for us, so well done to all involved.”