2026 Research Forum – Supply Chain Challenges: Practical Insights from Emerging Academic Research

Agenda

• Day 1: Friday, June 5, 2026 Day 1: Friday, June 5, 2026

  1:00 – 1:30 p.m.	Attendee Check-In & Networking with Light Lunch
  1:30 – 1:40 p.m.	Opening Remarks David A. Johnston, Director, George Weston Ltd. Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains, Schulich School of Business, York University Anthony Ferreira, Associate Director, George Weston Ltd. Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains, Schulich School of Business, York University
  1:40 – 2:25 p.m.	Industry Panel: “Building Resilient Supply Chains for Canada’s Future Economy” Senior leaders share their perspectives on the most pressing challenges ahead for Canada, including innovative ideas for potential nation-building initiatives related to supply chain management. The discussion will highlight how investment, innovation, and research can reposition supply chains as drivers of resilience, equity, and long-term wellbeing, with a specific focus on the Canadian economy.
  2:30 – 3:15 p.m.	Industry Panel: “Housing & Infrastructure Supply Chains” Canada’s housing, healthcare, and infrastructure systems are under increasing strain. Academics and industry leaders will unpack today’s challenges—capacity constraints, long lead times, and regulatory frictions while exploring how supply chain management may help unlock efficiency, resilience, and innovation. Jim Clayton, Timothy R. Price Chair and Professor in Real Estate and Infrastructure, Schulich School of Business, York University Joseph Ogilvie, Chair, OMERS & Oxford Leadership Institute in Real Assets, Schulich School of Business, York University
  3:15 – 3:25 p.m.	Coffee Break
  3:30 – 4:15 p.m.	Industry Panel: “Entrepreneurship & Tech Innovation in Canadian Supply Chains” This session explores the barriers and opportunities facing technology entrepreneurs as they work to reshape Canada’s supply chains. Panelists will discuss structural challenges to innovation and scaling while highlighting the transformative role of startups and innovators in areas such as advancing food security, sustainability, logistics, and digital transformation. The discussion will underscore the promise of entrepreneurial ventures in building resilient, competitive, and inclusive supply chains for Canada’s future economy.

  *Agenda subject to change. 

  Day 2: Saturday, June 6, 2026 Day 2: Saturday, June 6, 2026

  9:00 – 9:30 a.m.	Attendee Check-In & Welcome Breakfast
  9:30 – 9:50 a.m.	Welcome & Discussion: Shaping Canada’s Supply Chain Research Agenda (So Far) A collaborative discussion synthesizing insights from Day 1 and identifying emerging research priorities. M. Johnny Rungtusanatham, Professor and Ohio Eminent Scholar, University of Cincinnati Dan Shin, Assistant Professor, Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba
  10:00 – 10:55 a.m.	PhD Flash Talks: Emerging Supply Chain Challenges Brief PhD-led presentations highlighting innovative research ideas and emerging challenges in supply chain management, designed to spark discussion and inform future research directions. Moderator: Sunny (Huiqing) Tian, PhD Candidate, Schulich School of Business, York University Vikash Kumar, PhD Candidate, Ivey Business School, Western University Joseph Scarfone, PhD Candidate, Schulich School of Business, York University
  11:00 – 12:00 p.m.	Academic Presentations: “Designing Supply Chains for Public Good” Research presentations addressing housing, healthcare, infrastructure, food security, and equity-focused supply chain systems in Canada. Sheng Liu, Assistant Professor, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto Michael Pavlin, Associate Professor, Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University
  12:00 – 1:00 p.m.	Catered Lunch & Networking
  1:00 – 1:50 p.m.	Academic Presentations: “AI & Analytics in Supply Chain Management” Research presentations examining the application of AI and analytics in supply chain management, including machine learning, predictive risk management, digital twins, and other emerging approaches.
  2:00 – 2:50 p.m.	Academic Presentations: “Challenges to Supply Chain Sustainability” Research presentations exploring sustainability issues, with topics such as climate change, resource scarcity, regulatory pressures, including discussion of risks, constraints, and emerging solutions. Vibhuti Dhingra, Assistant Professor, Schulich School of Business, , York University
  3:00 – 3:15 p.m.	Closing Remarks
  3:30 – 5:30 p.m.	(Optional) Casual Networking Social

  *Agenda subject to change.