Alireza Safarpour

Alireza Safarpour is a doctoral researcher at Tampere University, affiliated with The Center for Innovation and Technology Research (CITER) and the Operations and Supply Chain Group (OSCG). His academic background combines public policy, computer science, sustainability, and governance. His current research focuses on the role and application of artificial intelligence in circular economy and sustainability, particularly through the perspectives of supply chains, governance, and public policy. He is especially interested in how AI can support more sustainable systems, improve decision-making, and shape the relationship between technology, institutions, and society. His broader research has also addressed sustainable supply chains, government interventions, higher education internationalization, and the governance implications of emerging technologies. Alongside his doctoral work, he has contributed to international research projects, teaching support, thesis examination, peer review, and academic conferences.

Doctoral researcher and researcher at Tampere University. Research activities include work on artificial intelligence, circular economy, sustainability, supply chains, and governance. Additional responsibilities include participation in research projects, academic teaching support, thesis examination, peer review, and conference-related academic service.

Expertise in artificial intelligence and sustainability, circular economy, sustainable supply chains, governance, public policy, and qualitative research. Research interests also include government interventions, AI in governance and policymaking, internationalization of higher education, and the role of emerging technologies in shaping sustainable and resilient systems. Proficient in qualitative and mixed-methods research and in data analysis tools such as MAXQDA, Power BI, and Tableau.

Doctoral researcher at Tampere University working on artificial intelligence, circular economy, sustainability, supply chains, and governance. Affiliated with CITER and OSCG.

• Author of the article Challenges and strategies for the internationalization of higher education in low-income East African countries published in Higher Education
• Highly Cited Publication Award, Faculty of Management and Business Research Afternoon, Tampere University (2025)
• Best paper finalist, 20th Triple Helix Conference (2022)
• Contributor to international research and educational development activities, including the Erasmus+ PRECIUS project
• Thesis examiner and reviewer in journal, conference, and book chapter evaluation activities

• Scientific Committee Member, 2nd International Conference on Circularity in the Built Environment (CiBEn 2025)
• Thesis Examiner, Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University
• Reviewer, Australasian Marketing Journal
• Abstract and Paper Reviewer, EurOMA Sustainable Operations and Supply Chains Forum 2026
• Reviewer of book chapter in Fashion, Textiles and the Circular Economy: The Transition to a Sustainable Future

The goal of the research is to understand how artificial intelligence can support circular economy and sustainability, especially through supply chains, governance, and public policy. The research also aims to generate academically rigorous and practice-relevant knowledge on how emerging technologies can strengthen sustainable decision-making, institutional capacity, and societal well-being. This work further examines the role of government interventions and governance structures in enabling more sustainable and resilient systems.

• Artificial intelligence in circular economy and sustainability
• AI applications in supply chains and governance
• Sustainable supply chains
• Government interventions and public policy
• Governance and emerging technologies
• Circular economy and sustainable development
• Higher education internationalization

• Artificial intelligence and sustainability
• Circular economy
• Sustainable supply chains
• Governance and public policy
• AI and governance
• Government interventions and sustainable development
• Technology, institutions, and society

• Taheriruh, M., Koivisto, E., Safarpour, A., Jääskeläinen, A., & Nenonen, N. (2026). AI-Enabled Dynamic Capabilities for Supply Chain Resilience: From Disruption Preparedness to Antifragility. Working paper, IPSERA Conference 2026.
• Moshtari, M., & Safarpour, A. (2024). Challenges and strategies for the internationalization of higher education in low-income East African countries. Higher Education, 87, 89–109.
• Moshtari, M., Safarpour, A., & Yawar, S. Government interventions and sustainable supply chains: A review and research agenda. Under review.