Hao Yu
Job description
I am a Professor of Industrial Engineering at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway and Program Leader of the MSc in Industrial Engineering. My research focuses on green and human-centric logistics transition in Industry 5.0, with particular expertise in sustainability, human-centricity, and decision-support systems for reverse logistics and circular manufacturing. By integrating optimization, simulation, and genentive-AI support, my work aims to design human-centric sustainable logistics and manufacturing systems that improve sustainability, efficiency, and resilience. I also work on Generative AI in engineering and logistics education, developing innovative teaching and assessment approaches for AI-enabled learning environments. I am currently serving as Associate Editor for IEEE TITS, as well as Editorial Board Member for several international journals. I have secured over NOK 15 million in competitive research funding as Principal Investigator, including the RCN's prestigious FRIPRO, and have been recognized among the Stanford/Elsevier world's top 2% scientists and ScholarGPS top 0.5% researchers worldwide in logistics.
Research interests
I am a Professor and Program Leader of Industrial Engineering (MSc) at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. My research focuses on problem-driven model development for sustainable and human-centric logistics systems. In particular, I work on green supply chains, waste management, reverse logistics, and service systems, with the aim of reducing environmental impacts, improving service quality, and supporting efficient and responsible operations.
Methodologically, my work combines qualitative analysis with quantitative operations research methods, including optimization and simulation. I use professional optimization solvers and simulation tools, including Gurobi, CPLEX, FICO Xpress, LINGO, and anyLogistix, for model development. My current research focuses on integrating predictive, prescriptive, and descriptive analytics within a Digital Reverse Logistics Twin framework to support recycling network planning, reduce carbon footprints, and improve human-in-the-loop recycling process redesign.
I have worked on several projects funded by Norway and EU programs. Currently, I am leading the following projects:
- Industry 5.0 enabled Smart Logistics: A Global Perspective (2023-2026), funded by the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) under the UTFORSK program (PI).
- Digital Reverse Logistics Twin 5.0 (DigiRL 5.0): Enabling Human-Centricity in Data-Driven Decision-Making and Flexible Automation (2026-2029), funded by the Research Council of Norway under the Researcher Project for Young Talents (FRIPRO) program (PI).
My research has had a broad academic impact, as reflected in bibliometric indicators such as inclusion among the Stanford/Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists and a ScholarGPS ranking in the Top 0.5% of researchers in Logistics. I am a member of the EURO Working Group on Sustainable Supply Chain, the EURO Working Group on Location Analysis, and the EURO Working Group on Practice of OR. I am the editor of Smart Logistics in Industry 5.0 and serve in editorial roles for several international journals, including IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, World Journal of Engineering, Journal of Environment & Development, Discover Sustainability, Science Progress, Logistics, Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, and Eng, among others. I also regularly review for international journals in sustainability, logistics, operations research, transportation, production, and environmental management.
Teaching
I work actively on Generative AI in engineering and logistics education, developing innovative and pedagogically rigorous teaching and assessment approaches for AI-enabled learning environments. One of my AI-enabled assessment pilots was reported by Aftenposten, highlighting the use of generative AI as part of responsible and reflective student learning and assessment
I am responsible for and/or teach in the following courses:
- Course coordinator and lecturer of MIK-1007 Project Management (Microcredential, 2026-)
- Main lecturer of INE-3612 Industry X.0 (Master, 2023-)
- Course coordinator and lecturer of INE-3800 Operations Research 1 (Master, 2022-)
- Course coordinator and lecturer of INE-3605 Project Management (Master, 2015-2022)
- Course coordinator and main lecturer of TEK-6005 Industry 4.0 (EVU, 2020)
- Main lecturer of INE-3609 Supply Chain Management (Master, 2019 and 2022-)
- Course coordinator and lecturer of Energy Technology (Bachelor, 2014)
