The aim of this research project, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), is to efficiently identify the source of large-scale outbreaks of foodborne disease while contamination-caused illnesses are still occurring, in order to resolve investigations earlier and avert potential illnesses. It proposes a holistic system for real-time source detection, which combines a dynamic commodity flow model with a spatio-temporal method for source localization on networks. 

A recent study for the World Bank showed a shortage of people with the right skills to meet the needs of the logistics industry. A series of recommendations to governments wishing to raise the level of logistics skills in their countries was made. This research project aims to develop a toolkit that governments can use to (1) assess the availability of logistics skills, certifications and training in their countries and (2) find out how to deal with logistics skill shortages.

The project aims to make recommendations and offer a toolbox for European ports to be more environment-friendly. The project study showed how rebates on port fees to promote greener shipping have become common in the sector. If incentive schemes like this are to make a difference, they should be combined with other instruments and all ports in the EU should offer them. Funded by the European Commission.

On behalf of the World Bank a study was conducted as part of this research project to provide a global overview on logistics competences, skills and training. Based on a global survey the research provides strong evidence for a global shortage of qualified logistics personnel on all occupational levels. The problem is most acute in emerging regions. To solve the skills shortage, the study provides numerous recommendations to the various stakeholder groups, i.e. governments, companies, logistics associations, and educational institutions , to get access to talent and to facilitate the “upskilling” of logistics labor through training and development. Those include facilitation of multi-stakeholder collaboration, updating of outdated university curricula, application of blended learning approaches, and creation of more appealing working environments for operative logistics staff.

Reliable food supply is a basic human need. In order to meet this, an efficient risk management for the prevention of food supply shortfalls is required by public authorities and private enterprises. The objective of this research project (SEAK, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Research and Education) is to support this by developing decision-support systems to analyze different scenarios of food supply shortfalls in Germany. One of the main outcomes is a macroscopic dynamic commodity flow model that describes the supply of food on a regional level. This can be used to determine the vulnerability of regions in food supply.