The EURO Working Group on Humanitarian Operations and University of Edinburgh Business School are pleased to announce the 9th EURO HOpe Mini-Conference, which will be held in person in Edinburgh, UK.

Calendar
Thursday 4 September–Friday 5 September 2025
Clock
09:00–18:20
Featured image for

Overview

The aim of the mini-conference is to bring together researchers and professionals who develop and use operational research tools, techniques, and methodologies to help and improve humanitarian actions in an increasingly complex and dynamic world. Contributions are welcome on a broad range of topics within humanitarian operations, including but not limited to disaster preparedness and response, refugee crises, conflicts, pandemic response, sustainability, as well as creative and critical reflections.

Key dates

Event milestones Dates
Abstract submission 26 March 2025 – 9 June 2025
Notification of abstract accepted 20 June 2025
Registration 1 April 2025 – 4 August 2025

*We kindly ask that all presenters register by 11 July 2025.

Abstract submission

We invite abstract submissions on a broad range of topics within humanitarian operations, including but not limited to disaster preparedness and response, refugee crises, conflicts, pandemic response, sustainability, as well as creative and critical reflections. Authors who would like to present their work at the conference are invited to submit their abstracts (maximum 600 words) for consideration by the organising committee. Abstracts may involve ongoing work or completed research.

Registration

This event is free of charge. Registration now to secure your place.

Programme

Our programme will be available shortly. Please check back for updates.

Keynote speaker

Headshot of Nezih Altay

Nezih Altay
Professor and Director, MS in Supply Chain Management Program Department of Management & Entrepreneurship, Driehaus College of Business

Nezih Altay is a professor of operations management and director of the Master of Science in Supply Chain Management Program at the Driehaus College of Business. He holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey, an 91´óÉñ from the University of Texas-Pan American and a PhD from Texas A&M University. Altay has been teaching all aspects of supply chain management and operations management since 1999 to executives, 91´óÉñ students and undergraduates.

His research specializes in humanitarian supply chains, disruption management, and after-sale service operations. He has published his research in leading academic journals and presented in national and international arenas. He also co-edited two books: Service Parts Management: Demand Forecasting and Inventory Control (2011) and Advances in Managing Humanitarian Operations (2016) both published by Springer. He currently serves as the co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Humanitarian Logistics & Supply Chain Management, and senior editor of Production and Operations Management.

Dr Altay is a Resilience Research Fellow at Technical University Delft in the Netherlands and a research partner at the Research Institute on Leadership and Operations in Humanitarian Aid at Kühne Logistics University in Hamburg.

In 2019, for his contributions to the field of humanitarian logistics, Altay received the Academic/Research Accomplishment Award from the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN). And in 2021 Altay became the Fulbright-Hanken Chair in Business and Economics thanks to a Fulbright Grant. He continues his relationship with Hanken as a Research Affiliate with the HumLog Institute."

Awards

Luk Van Wassenhove Award

Professor Luk Van Wassenhove is a pioneer scholar in humanitarian operations. He strives to close the loop between theory and practice. To honor Professor Van Wassenhove’s commitment to relevant research in humanitarian operations as well as his commitment to his co-authors, students, and the academic community, this award was established. EURO HOpe has appointed a committee to select the winner of this award.

Professor Luk Van Wassenhove is a pioneer scholar in humanitarian operations. He strives to close the loop between theory and practice by:

  • finding relevant problems in the practice of humanitarian operations,
  • using rigorous research methods to gain insights on these problems,
  • publishing his findings in peer-reviewed outlets, pedagogical case studies and other publications,
  • giving back to practice through implementable recommendations.

Luk is also very generous with his time and contributes actively to strengthening the research community.

To honor Professor Van Wassenhove’s commitment to relevant research in humanitarian operations as well as his commitment to his coauthors, students, and the academic community, this award will be based on three criteria:

  1. Closing the loop: Nominations should demonstrate how the candidate’s research has addressed items (i) to (iv) above. Giving back to practice with implementable recommendations is particularly important. Nominations should include a letter that comments on giving back to practice. Letters from practitioners are encouraged.
  2. Generosity: Nominations should include two names the award committee can contact for reference.
  3. Service: Nominations should include service the candidate has done to the humanitarian operations academic community in different roles, which range from editorial to administrative.

Because excelling at the three criteria described above takes time, nominated candidates for this award should have finished their PhD more than seven years ago at the time of application.

The application should include:

  • A one-page nomination letter addressing the three criteria included above. Self-nominations are allowed.
  • A list of representative publications in the area of humanitarian operations: this includes peer-reviewed articles, managerial articles, case studies, and so on.

EURO HOpe has appointed a committee to select the winner. This award is delivered every year and announced at the EURO HOpe meeting. The winner receives a plaque as a recognition of their achievement.

The deadline for submitting the nominations is Thursday 31 July 2025.

Please submit your nomination(s) and or application by email to the committee:

Nezih Altay: naltay@depaul.edu
Alfonso Pedraza-Martinez: apedraz2@nd.edu
Burcu Balçık: burcu.balcik@ozyegin.edu.tr

Organising committee

Douglas Alem

Douglas Alem
University of Edinburgh Business School

Aakil Caunhye

Aakil Caunhye
University of Edinburgh Business School

Gemma Berenguer

Gemma Berenguer
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Conference venue

University of Edinburgh Business School
29 Buccleuch Place
Edinburgh
EH8 9JS

Accommodation

Edinburgh is a very popular tourist destination and hotel capacity is limited over the summer months. Conference delegates are therefore encouraged to book early to secure a reservation at their preferred accommodation provider.

University of Edinburgh Hospitality and Events Collection

The University offers a broad variety of accommodation through the University of Edinburgh Hospitality and Events Collection.

KM Hotel and Apartments

Conveniently located close to the University of Edinburgh Business School, Old College and George Square, KM Hotel offers 45 stylish bedrooms with full Scottish breakfast served daily. The recently refreshed KM Apartments has 35 studio and one-bedroom serviced apartments which are ideal for longer stays.

Located in the peaceful landscaped grounds of Pollock Halls Campus, adjoining Holyrood Park, and within easy walking distance of the conference venue and the city's major attractions:

The Scholar

The Scholar is newly refurbished and is located in the beautiful grounds of the Pollock Estate, just a few minutes’ walk from Arthurs Seat, Holyrood Park and the Meadows and within walking distance of all of the City’s world famous landmarks. The local Southside neighbourhood buzzes with small restaurants, bars and an eclectic mix of independent shops.

Nearby hotels

We also suggest a number of 3, 4, and 5 star hotels within walking distance of the conference venue. Delegates may choose from excellent budget accommodation, stylish boutique properties, or luxurious international hotels. Delegates should book any accommodation directly with the accommodation provider.

3 Star

IBIS Edinburgh Centre South Bridge
77 South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH1 1HN

+44 (0)131 292 0000
Email: h8484@accor.com

Motel One Edinburgh Royal
18-21
Edinburgh
EH1 1BL

+44 (0)131 220 0730
Email: res.edinburgh-royal@motel-one.com


4 Star

Ten Hill Place Hotel
10 Hill Place
Edinburgh
EH8 9DS

+44 (0)131 662 2080
Email: reservations@tenhillplace.com


Serviced Apartments

The Knights Residence Apartments
12 Lauriston Street
Edinburgh
EH3 9DJ

Travel

Travel to the University of Edinburgh Business School is straightforward, thanks to the city's well-connected national and international transport links. Edinburgh Waverley Station, the main train station, is just a few minutes away, and the city’s efficient public transport system, including buses and trams, makes it convenient for visitors. Additionally, Edinburgh Airport, serving numerous global destinations, is easily accessible, ensuring visitors can reach the University with relative ease.

By car

The nearest public car park is at Quartermile, managed by Q-Park. The car park is accessed via Simpson Loan and is signposted from Lauriston Place. Alternatively, pay and display parking is available on Buccleuch Place.

By train

Edinburgh Waverley is the main railway station in Edinburgh. It is a 15 min walk or 10-minute taxi transfer to the Business School (cost approximately £8).

By bus

Frequent buses from Princes Street to the Business School include numbers 3, 30, 31, 33, 37. A single fare is £2.20, and a day ticket is £5.50. You can pay by contactless card payment or the exact money as they do not provide change.

By air

Edinburgh Airport is Scotland’s busiest airport and is situated 8 miles from the city centre.

  1. Taxi from airport
    From the airport, it will take approximately 30 minutes to transfer to the city centre (depending on the time of day). The cost is approximately £35-40.
  2. Bus from airport
    There are frequent services of the Airlink Service 100 (every 10 minutes during the day and every 15-20 minutes for night time journeys) to Waverley Bridge in the city centre. The journey takes about 30 mins. An adult open return fare is £8.
  3. Tram from airport
    From the airport, it will take approximately 30 minutes to transfer to the city centre (depending on the time of day). The cost is approximately £35-40.

Our sponsors