As automation reshapes food supply chains, apparent efficiency can conceal serious weaknesses. Mohammed Alzuhair, a DBA candidate at Durham University Business School, warns that over-reliance on digital systems can leave usable food stranded when machines fail to approve it, exposing tensions between technological optimisation and human judgement in the UK food system.

Welcome to another instalment of our Spotlight On series, where we showcase the world-leading work of our academics. Professor Mariann Hardey, in our Business School, examines how digital systems shape, constrain and often exclude people. Her work studies the friction between human complexity and algorithmic simplicity.

Our ‘Spotlight on’ series celebrates the work of our leading academics. Professor Atanu Chaudhuri pioneers research into sustainable operations and supply changes, both on Earth and in space.

New research from Durham University Business School reveals the North East England led the UK on business scaleup growth in 2020-2023, challenging long-held assumptions about regional disadvantage.