A Conversation with Chiagoziem: Rethinking Sustainability in Logistics from the Ground Up
In this Meet the Researcher feature, we’re pleased to introduce Chiagoziem Ozoani, a first-year PhD student at Edinburgh Napier University whose research tackles one of the most pressing challenges in the logistics sector today: how to embed sustainability into logistics operations in a way that’s not only ethical, but also strategic and valuable to business. With real-world experience in both operations and policy development, Chiagoziem brings a unique dual lens to all aspects of his work – bridging what happens in boardrooms with what happens on the ground.
What sparked your interest in pursuing a PhD?
For Chiagoziem, the road to a PhD started with a simple but powerful question: How do things move from A to B? That initial curiosity eventually led him into operations roles at one of Ireland’s largest beverage distributors and later into a strategic position at Cisco Ireland, where he now works as an Operations Projects Specialist. “It was through these roles that I began to see logistics not just as a system of movement, but as a space full of untapped opportunities,” he explained. While driving operational improvements day-to-day, Chiagoziem started noticing a wider industry trend: sustainability efforts were often treated as add-ons rather than core drivers of innovation. That shift in thinking took him further – into national policy research. As a researcher for the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Ireland, he helped assess how Ireland’s transport policies aligned with broader European sustainability goals.
“The policy looked good on paper,” he says, “but what was actually happening on the ground didn’t always match.” This disconnect between ambition and execution became the spark behind his PhD journey. “I wanted to explore how we could reframe sustainability – not as a compliance exercise but as a genuine source of long-term value.”
Research Focus: A Practical Model for Sustainable Logistics
Chiagoziem’s research focuses on developing a process model for sustainable logistics management in Irish firms, from a value creation perspective. In other words, he’s creating a practical, evidence-based framework that logistics companies can use to make sustainability a core part of their operations – while also benefiting their bottom line. “I’m not just looking at carbon footprints or box-ticking exercises,” he explains. “This is about helping companies rethink how they operate so they can be more efficient, innovative, and resilient in the long run.” The goal, ultimately, is to offer logistics firms a step-by-step guide grounded in theory but tailored for real-world impact. Hopefully bridging the gap between policy and practice.
What’s the aim of your research?
Chiagoziem aims to shift the conversation around sustainability in logistics from abstract goals to actionable steps. His research looks at:
- How sustainability can evolve from a compliance box-tick to a strategic driver.
- What internal capabilities firms need – like digital innovation and cross-functional collaboration.
- What real, holistic value looks like when sustainability is embedded properly.
“I want this research to be useful to businesses, to policymakers, and to academia. It’s ambitious, but I think that’s how meaningful change happens,” he says.
Why Edinburgh Napier?
The decision to study at Edinburgh Napier was driven by the staff, the people and the organisation. Chiagoziem had already begun working on research projects with Dr. Eoin Plant-O’Toole, who also chairs the Policy Committee for CILT Ireland. That early collaboration became a clear sign of alignment. “Eoin understood exactly how much I was balancing – policy work, a full-time job, and now a PhD. That empathy, paired with his academic insight, made all the difference,” Chiagoziem says. Attending Napier’s doctoral conference further affirmed his decision. Learning about the university’s history and namesake, mathematician John Napier, struck a chord. “Napier revolutionised how we understand numbers. I’m not rewriting mathematics, but I do hope to challenge how we understand sustainability in logistics.”
Best Advice Received During the PhD Journey
“The more I read, the more I realise how little I know,” Chiagoziem recalls saying during an early doctoral meeting. The response he got stuck with him: “That’s how it’s supposed to feel.” The reminder that confusion is part of the process has helped him push through early overwhelm. “You don’t know what you don’t know at first, but over time, you build a plan to close those gaps. One step at a time.”
Beyond Research: Discipline in Bodybuilding
When it comes to switching off from academic work, Chiagoziem heads to the gym. But not casually – he’s a competitive bodybuilder and even won the Mr. Ireland Men’s Physique title in 2022.
“Bodybuilding taught me discipline, resilience, and how to thrive on delayed gratification – lessons that directly apply to doing a PhD,” he says. For him, training isn’t just physical. It’s also a way to reset mentally and stay grounded. “It’s my outlet. For 90 minutes, I just unplug, put on a podcast, and focus on being present.”
Although his packed schedule now makes competing harder, he still trains regularly and carries that same mindset into his research: progress is built one disciplined day at a time.
In Conclusion
Chiagoziem’s research is still in its early stages, but his clarity of purpose is already striking. With a rare combination of industry experience, policy insight, and academic focus, he’s aiming to reshape how logistics firms and policymakers think about sustainability. By reframing it as both good ethics and good business, his work promises to create tools that deliver lasting, practical impact.
In a sector ready for transformation, Chiagoziem is making the case for sustainability as strategy and building the roadmap to get us there.