Dr. Behrouz Arabi is an academic and researcher with over 23 years of experience spanning both academia and industry, including significant contributions to the public and private sectors. Currently serving as a Research Fellow at the School for Business and Society at the University of York, Dr. Arabi is deeply involved in the H3 Project. His research portfolio includes the publication of nine journal papers and a teaching background with six years at the university level. Dr. Arabi is recognised for his expertise in sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly within the energy and food sectors, leveraging performance management and measurement tools such as Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM).
Dr. Arabi's academic journey began with a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics with a focus on Operations Research. He earned his Ph.D. in Performance Management -Energy management from the University of Malaya, Malaysia, where he received the Best PhD Student Excellence Award. His doctoral thesis, which produced five ISI publications, focused on modelling eco-efficiency changes in heterogeneous firms, particularly in power plants. This academic foundation set the stage for Behrouz’s innovative research and leadership in performance measurement and sustainability.
Before joining the University of York, Behrouz held significant research and advisory roles. At Heriot-Watt University, he was a Research Associate at the Edinburgh Business School, contributing to projects such as the Sustainable Food Cold Chain (SCC) and Zero Emission Cold Chain (ZECC). His work has been instrumental in developing and applying advanced models like the DEA-TOPSIS hybrid model for sustainable refrigeration technology. Dr. Arabi also played a pivotal role in organising workshops and conferences, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange on sustainability and circular economy topics.
Berhrouz's career includes impactful advisory positions in Iran’s Ministry of Electricity and Water and the Iran Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organisation (SATBA). His work in these roles involved developing regulatory frameworks, benchmarking models, and market analysis tools that have significantly influenced Iran’s energy sector. With a rich history of academic and professional accomplishments, including numerous awards and a strong presence in scientific communities, Dr. Behrouz Arabi continues to advance the fields of performance management, sustainability, and big data analytics.

Dr. Behrouz Arabi's research interests primarily lie at the intersection of sustainability, performance management, and decision-making tools, particularly within the food and agri-food sectors. He is deeply committed to exploring how innovative methodologies such as multiple criteria decision making (MCDM), data envelopment analysis (DEA), and other performance measurement frameworks can drive sustainable practices in the agri-food industry. His work aims to develop models that not only enhance efficiency but also align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on creating sustainable food systems that are resilient and environmentally friendly.
In recent years, Behrouz's research has extensively covered sustainable food cold chain systems, where he has developed and applied advanced hybrid models such as DEA-TOPSIS for evaluating refrigeration technologies. This work is crucial for maintaining food quality and reducing waste, which are significant challenges in the agri-food sector. By optimising the cold chain logistics, he aims to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promote the adoption of greener refrigeration solutions. His involvement in projects like the Sustainable Food Cold Chain (SCC) and Zero Emission Cold Chain (ZECC) has allowed him to collaborate with industry stakeholders and provide actionable insights for policy and investment in sustainable technologies.
Additionally, Dr. Arabi is keenly interested in the application of data analytics and computer vision within the agri-food sector. These technologies offer tremendous potential for enhancing agricultural productivity and efficiency. By leveraging data-driven approaches, he aims to develop predictive models that can assist in resource management, crop yield optimisation, and overall farm management. His work in this area seeks to integrate technological advancements with traditional agricultural practices to create more sustainable and profitable food production systems.
Behrouz's research also focuses on the broader implications of sustainability in energy and environmental management. This includes developing eco-efficiency models for various industries, with a significant emphasis on power plants and renewable energy systems. By utilising performance management tools, he strives to create frameworks that help organisations achieve their sustainability goals while maintaining high levels of operational efficiency. His overarching goal is to contribute to the global transition towards more sustainable and resilient industrial practices, particularly within the agri-food and energy sectors.