What is your academic background, and what did you do before you started teaching at Lund University?
"I hold a Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management and Business Process from Linnaeus University (Växjö, Sweden). I entered academia with my PhD studies at the Division of Packaging Logistics at LTH (the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University), which is also where I teach and conduct research today."
Could you describe the programme in Service Management with a specialisation in Supply Chain Management?
"In this programme, students gain both practical and theoretical knowledge for future careers in the service sector, with a particular focus on supply chain management and logistics. The programme is broadly divided into two parts: one focused on service management theories and methodologies, and one focused on supply chain management. The courses in the two fields are given in a mixture to combine the knowledge from the two."
What sets this programme apart from other Master’s programmes in the field?
"The programme is designed to support learning and skills development for students with and without prior experience in supply chain management, in both academia and industry. Most importantly, the Service Management programme with its specialisation in Supply Chain Management offers a distinctive combination of service management and supply chain management/logistics, and it is well suited to participants who are new to logistics and/or supply chain management."
How does the programme meet the needs of the labour market?
"The programme prepares students for career paths in both industry and academia. The supply chain management specialisation aligns with industry demand for professionals across a range of supply chain functions. At the same time, students develop knowledge and skill sets that also support an academic career path, including preparation for PhD studies within supply chain management-related topics."
What research projects are you currently working on?
"My core research interest is in the last mile and e-commerce logistics. I also work with packaging systems design for distribution systems, environmental sustainability, consumer experience in e-commerce logistics, and service digitalisation. My most recent research projects have focused on AI in retail logistics and rural e-commerce logistics. You can learn more about my work at LU’s Research Portal."
https://portal.research.lu.se/en/persons/yulia-vakulenko/
What would the students be surprised to find out about you?
"In the last couple of years I have developed a passion for beekeeping. I find it fascinating to follow my bees through the year and understand how bee behaviour and needs change through the seasons. Harvesting my own honey is a pleasure. And, it comes with environmental benefit as healthy honey bee colonies support pollination and given that bee populations worldwide have been under pressure due to habitat loss, pesticides, diseases, and climate change. When studying in Sweden, I encourage student to try local honey - it’s quite different from the rest of the world, and this way you support beekeepers and local bees."
