Rebecca Aggarwal

Email:  aggarwar@aston.ac.uk

Room number:  MB110

Profile

• Doctoral researcher in the department of Engineering Systems and Management

• Project is sponsored by EPSRC and DHL Exel Supply Chain

• Purpose is to explore the innovative applications of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in logistics management.

• The aim is to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of distribution networks through the optimisation of the returnable transport equipment (RTE) network.

• An agent based modelling approach has been selected in order to pursue an object-orientated and decentralised decision-making format.

• Supervisor: Dr. John Elgy

• Associate Supervisor: Dr. Jane Andrews

Prior to current position:

I graduated from Aston University with first class honours in Logistics (BSc) where I was awarded a prize for highest achievement, sponsored by Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) UK. During my degree, I took part in an industrial placement with Renault UK based in the Distribution department. One of my roles was to plan, develop and manage information databases, which aimed to improve processes for various parties including marketing product managers, distribution consultants, dealers, factory employees, and CAT employees.

Qualifications & Education

• BSc with First Class Honours in Logistics (including 12 month placement), Aston University, 2008

Employment 

• 2009 – date: Doctoral Researcher in Logistics Management, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University
• 2006 – 2007: Distribution and Supply Planning Assistant, Distribution Department, Renault, Rickmansworth, UK 

Research interests

• Supply Chain Innovation
• Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Applications
• Agent Based Modelling (ABM) Approaches
• Enhancing Competitive Advantage of Logistics Service Providers (LSPs)
• Logistics Value Chain Creation
• Automation of Processes
• Evaluating Decentralised Decision-Making through Autonomous Objects
• Creating Sustainable Supply Chains
• Encouraging the uptake of STEM subjects in schools particularly in deprived areas
• Collaborations for further advancements in supply chain efficiency improvements. If you are interested in any of the areas above and would like to share ideas or require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me via the details above or via LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/rebecca-aggarwal/37/16a/760

Other Duties

• Postgraduate Research Representative for School of Engineering and Applied Science
• STEM Ambassador
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
• Engineering Postgraduate Research Society Representative
• Postgraduate Mentor
• Postgraduate representative of the Student/Staff panel
• Member of Project and Supply Chain Management Group

Selected publications

Journal Papers:

Aggarwal, R and Lim, M, Aligning physical and virtual logistical spheres with radiofrequency identification and agent-based modelling, International Journal of Agile Systems and Management – In Press

Aggarwal, R and Lim, M, Enhancing Competitive Advantage with RFID enabled RTE, International Journal of Radio Frequency Identification Technology and Applications – In Press

Nielsen, I,  Lim, M, Nielsen, P and Aggarwal, R, A decision support system for waste collection management and its potential improvement with radio-frequency identification technology (RFID), International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management – In Press

Conference Papers:

Aggarwal, R, Lim, M, Advances in Decision Support Systems on the Endeavour for Supply Chain Optimality, International Conference on Industrial Logistics (ICIL), Zagreb, Croatia, 14th- 16th June, 2012

Aggarwal, R, Lim, M, Improving Returnable Transport Equipment Network Management with an Autonomous Approach, 3rd International Conference on Dynamics in Logistics (LDIC), Bremen, Germany, 27 February – 2 March, 2012

Aggarwal, R, Lim, M, Increasing competitiveness of third party logistics with RFID, IEEE International Conference on RFID-Technologies and Applications (RFID-TA), Sitges, Spain, 15-16 September, 2011

Aggarwal, R, Lim, M, Tan, K, A Three-Level RFID-Based Automation Approach To Enhance Network Competitiveness, 21st International Conference on Production Research, Stuttgart, Germany, 31 July – 4 August, 2011

Aggarwal, R, Lim, M, Using RFID-RTE to increase efficiency in the supply chain, 12th International Conference on the Modern Information Technology in the Innovation Processes of the Industrial Enterprises, Aalborg University, Denmark, 30-31 August, 2010

Aggarwal, R and Lim, M, Impact of RFID in Reverse Logistics, 11th Int. Conf. on The Modern Information Technology in the Innovation Processes of the Industrial Enterprise, Bergamo, Italy, 15-16 Oct, 2009

Talks, Seminars, Workshops and Professional Development

11^th September 2012: Attended a STEM ambassador training session held at Birmingham University

10^th September 2012: Participated in a HEA Young Women Engineers event titled “Talent 2030” held at Aston Conference Centre

5^th – 7^th August 2012: Awarded a sponsorship by CILT to attend a PhD Workshop and the 17^th annual Logistics Research Network conference with the theme of "Go for Gold - Winning the Supply Chain Triathlon: Creating Social, Economic and Environmental Value” held at Cranfield University, UK

14^th – 16^th June 2012: Exhibited a poster titled “Advances in Decision Support Systems on the Endeavour for Supply Chain Optimality” at the International Conference on Industrial Logistics (ICIL) in Zagreb, Croatia

6 ^th - 7^th June 2012: Attended a Critical Writing Seminar held at Aston University

16^th - 20^th April 2012: Attended a NATCOR course titled “Heuristics and Approximation Algorithms” held at Nottingham University, UK

27^th March 2012: Attended a talk titled “Scalable decentralized supply chain formation through binarized belief propagation” by Dr. Jesús Cerquides held at Aston University

20^th March 2012: Presented poster titled “Creating Autonomous Control of Logistics Networks with Intelligent Containers” at an EAS academic event held at Aston University

12^th - 16^th March 2012: Attended Java Programming course run by Hands on Technology Training in Manchester, UK

27^th February – 2^nd March 2012: Presented findings from a conference paper titled “Improving Returnable Transport Equipment Network Management with an Autonomous Approach” at the 3rd International Conference on Dynamics in Logistics (LDIC) in Bremen, Germany

19^th – 24^th February 2012: Attended Introduction to Java Programming course run by Hands on Technology Training in Croydon, UK

8^th February 2012: Presented a talk titled “Enhancing RTE Management with RFID Application” for an RFID Seminar held at Aston University

7^th February 2012: Attended talk titled “Genetic Programming Techniques for Nonlinear Systems Identification” by Dr. Alina Patelli held at Aston University

25^th January 2012: Presented a poster titled “Increasing Competitiveness of Third Party Logistics with RFID” at Engineering Postgraduate Research Society academic event held at Aston University

12^th October 2011: Received training for Postgraduate Mentoring at Aston University

4^th October 2011: Participated in a Webinar titled “Managing Returnable Transport Items With RFID” organised by RFID Journal

15^th – 16^th September 2011: Presented a poster titled “Increasing Competitiveness of Third Party Logistics with RFID” at the IEEE International Conference on RFID Technologies and Applications in Sitges, Spain

31^st July - August 4^th 2011: Research article presented by co-author titled “A Three-level RFID-based Automation Approach to Enhance Network Competitiveness” at the 21^st International Conference on Production Researchin Stuttgart, Germany

18^th July 2011: Presented a talk titled “Enhancing Competitive Advantage of 3PLs with RFID” at a Radio Frequency Identification Seminar held at Aston University

4^th - 9^th July 2011: Attended a NATCOR course titled “Simulation and System Dynamics”, held at University of Warwick

29^th June 2011: Conducted a presentation titled “Enhancing Logistics Activities with RFID Application” for Royal Mail Logistics students held at Aston University

30^th – 31^st August 2010: Conference paper presented by co-author titled “Using RFID-RTE to Increase Efficiency in the Supply Chain” at the 12th International MITIP Conference on Information Technology & Innovation Processes of the Enterprises, Aalborg, Denmark

15^th – 16^th October 2009: Presented a conference paper titled “Impact of RFID in Reverse Logistics” at the 11th International Conference on the Modern Information Technology in the Innovation Processes of the Industrial Enterprise, Bergamo, Italy

19^th June 2009: Presented a talk titled “RFID in Logistics” at a Radio Frequency Identification Seminar held at Aston University

23^rd April 2009: Attended the GS1 UK Annual conference, with the theme "Maximising Supply Chain Efficiencies in Volatile Times” held in Leicester, UK