Jillian MacBryde from the University of Strathclyde and Jan Godsell from the University of Warwick will take up the roles with immediate effect. They will be working within the Economic and Social Research Council.
The co-directors will work alongside the challenge director and programme team for an initial five-month period. They will look to create a wider community of stakeholders and research into a Made Smarter Network Plus.
The Network Plus aims to bring together economic and social science insights across the challenge and the wider UK manufacturing sector. It will provide academic leadership and activities to bolster engagement and collaboration opportunities for digital technology innovation within manufacturing.
Jillian MacBryde is a Professor of Innovation and Operations Management at the University of Strathclyde. Her work is focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly the link between technology and social science. She previously held deputy and vice dean roles at the York Management School and Strathclyde Business School.
Jan Godsell is a Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Strategy at WMG, University of Warwick. Her work is focused on supply chain design and strategy, as well as process improvement and sustainability. She is part of a range of supply chain industry groups, including the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy supply chain resilience advisory group. She advises government and business on strategic activity in this area.
Chris Courtney, challenge director for Made Smarter Innovation, said of the appointments: "Digital technologies have the power to radically transform how we manufacture and deliver the products and services of the future and deliver a more resilient, prosperous economy with fundamental changes to the nature of work.
"A key part of delivering an optimal future in manufacturing will be enabled by harnessing the insights from the broader economic, social, regulatory and political sciences.
"I’m delighted to welcome Jan and Jill to the overall effort as co-directors, combining two of our leading academics in this space bringing leadership, insight with a passion for manufacturing.
"I’m excited to get this work underway and to support Jill and Jan as they reach out to the broad network of capability to engage and shape a vital and exciting programme of work."
