Abstract:
This talk explores how climate change is influencing modern supply chains and why understanding these systems is becoming essential knowledge for the next generation of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Supply chains today are far more than the movement of goods from one place to another. They are complex, interconnected systems involving people, technology, finance, infrastructure, governance, and global markets, and are increasingly vulnerable to disruption when environmental, political, or economic conditions shift.

The talk will also highlight the central role of enterprise, innovation, and systems thinking in building more resilient futures. Young people entering business, management and entrepreneurial careers will increasingly need to think beyond traditional business models and understand how organisations can adapt, innovate, and lead in response to changing environmental and societal expectations. Sustainability is not simply an environmental agenda; it is a business, innovation, leadership and opportunity agenda.

The session is intended to be interactive, accessible, and forward-looking, sparking conversation about climate resilience, sustainable enterprise, leadership and the future of business in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world.

Speaker Profile: 

With more than 20 years' experience spanning academia, government and industry, Professor Julieanna Powell-Turner has collaborated with a wide range of international organisations, including the Asian Development Bank, UNEP, DFID, GIZ and the European Union, as well as UK government and defence bodies. Her work has taken her across Europe, Asia and beyond, engaging policymakers, communities and industry partners on some of the most pressing sustainability and environmental challenges of our time.

Before joining the University of Chester, the speaker held senior roles at Cranfield University's School of Defence and Security and at UKAEA, working on environmental management, resource security and systems thinking within complex policy and organisational settings, including collaboration with UK defence and government agencies.