Michael Rogerson

I hold a PhD in supply chain management (University of Bath), Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Value Chains (University of Cambridge), an MBA (Imperial College London), and Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting (Robert Gordon University) and History (University of the West of England). I have previously researched modern slavery in multinational construction and public sector settings and blockchain’s potential use as a tool for enhancing visibility in supply chains.

My research centres on how institutions affect firm behaviours around compliance with modern slavery and human rights legislation in the UK and Europe. I spent much of the decade before my PhD living and working in various countries in Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and during this time became interested in the differences in institutional environments and consequent firm behaviours he witnessed.

From apparel to construction, there is an increasing focus on modern slavery worldwide among legislative bodies, NGOs, the media, and and the public. Further knowledge of firm attitudes and decision processes around the phenomenon will have two main impacts. Firstly, it will empower companies to better address it in their own operations and those in their supply chains. Secondly, it will enable governments to legislate more effectively.

I also have research interests in blockchain's potential to enhance visibility and therefore accountability in supply chains, and in particular how this might enable firms to both tackle and better disclose modern slavery risks.