Dr. Amy Benstead is a Senior Lecturer in Fashion Management within the Department of Materials, Faculty of Science & Engineering and an internationally recognised expert in ethical and sustainable supply chain management. Her research focuses on promoting justice, transparency and sustainability across global supply chains, with a particular emphasis on addressing modern slavery. Her work champions a shift toward human-centered supply chains that prioritise and value workers, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

She recently guest-edited a special issue on modern slavery in Production and Operations Management and continues to publish in leading international journals.

Amy’s expertise has played an important role in shaping industry standards. As a member of the British Standards Institution (BSI) committee, she contributed to developing the world’s first national standard on modern slavery (BS 25700 Organizational Responses to Modern Slavery- Guidance), launched at the House of Lords in January 2023, where she participated in a panel discussion. Her research informed the standard, and the following article is provided in the Bibliography Benstead, A.V., Hendry, L.C. and Stevenson, M., 2021. Detecting and remediating modern slavery in supply chains: a targeted audit approach. Production Planning & Control, 32(13), pp.1136-1157.

Currently, she is leading a Leverhulme Trust-funded research project investigating the role of worker voice in Leicester’s garment factories. This work has been recognised for excellence, winning first place at the 2023 Business and Modern Slavery Research Conference and earning runner-up in 2024.

Amy’s research regularly informs policy and is shared with key parliamentarians. She has submitted written evidence, tabled questions and engaged with policymakers on issues such as supply chain transparency, labour rights, and modern slavery.

Her academic achievements include the Highly Commended Award in the 2018 Emerald/EFMD Outstanding Doctoral Research Awards (Operations and Production Management category) and a 2019 Emerald Literati Award for her paper on brand collaboration in response to modern slavery legislation. In 2024, she was a finalist in the Inspiring Women Awards (Sustainable Award for Women Making an Impact).

Before transitioning to academia, Amy gained extensive international experience in the fashion industry. As a Senior Merchandise Manager for Li & Fung in Istanbul, Turkey, she oversaw the sourcing and production of apparel for major UK fashion retailers.

Amy's practical experience in navigating complex supply chain dynamics directly informs her research and teaching. This first-hand knowledge of supply chain operations, coupled with her academic expertise underpins her ability to engage effectively with policymakers, businesses and NGOs on critical issues such as modern slavery and worker rights.

Amy is also committed to fostering future generations of leaders. At The University of Manchester, she teaches Business Ethics, Sustainability & CSR, Operations Management and Fashion Management, integrating her innovative research into her teaching. Her dedication to pedagogy has earned her several University Teaching Excellence awards, including the University’s Faculty of Science & Engineering Distinguished Achievement Award – Teacher of the Year 2021 (Highly Commended).

During her tenure on the board of the European Operations Management Association (EurOMA) from 2021 to 2024, Amy successfully launched the association’s first mentorship program, designed to support academics at all career stages. This initiative reflects her commitment to fostering professional development, promoting knowledge exchange and building a collaborative academic community.

Amy regularly collaborates with international academics to advance research on ethical supply chain management and sustainability, fostering a global perspective in her work. By working with leading scholars from diverse fields, Amy contributes to innovative, cross-disciplinary research that addresses complex global challenges in supply chains.

Amy is also passionate about inspiring the next generation to pursue STEM education and careers. She actively participates in outreach programs including working with the Manchester United Foundation, engaging with schoolchildren to raise awareness about sustainability and the importance of ethical practices in the fashion industry. Through workshops, talks and interactive activities, Amy encourages young people to think critically about global challenges empowering them to become future leaders in creating a more sustainable world.