Management Science professor Sean Handley recently received the 2025 Operations and Supply Chain Management Division Distinguished Scholar Award at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The award honors individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to serve the operations and supply chain field both broadly and within the Academy of Management, while also recognizing scholarly excellence that has advanced the discipline’s knowledge and practice.
“Receiving this award is one of the greatest accomplishments and milestones in my career,” says Handley, also a Distinguished Moore Research Fellow. “To have my peers recognize the contribution of my work fills me with enormous pride. Prior award recipients include several individuals whose research I have always admired. To be listed alongside them is truly humbling.”
Handley has been published in several leading academic journals including Journal of Operations Management, Production and Operations Management, Decision Sciences, Strategic Management Journal, MIS Quarterly, Journal of Supply Chain Management and Journal of Business Logistics.
Handley’s contributions to the Darla Moore School of Business include teaching graduate and undergraduate courses on operations management and global sourcing, along with mentoring students and advancing research initiatives that bridge theory and practice. Handley has also served as the chair of the Management Science Department.
“The Moore School has supported my research in numerous ways, from providing financial resources for data purchases and research assistants to fostering a culture that emphasizes and values research,” Handley says. “In addition, my Moore School colleagues and doctoral students have been tremendous collaborators. The Darla Moore School consistently offers opportunities to engage with industry professionals, which helps me ground my research and teaching in practice”
Handley is deeply motivated by the opportunity to bridge the gap between academic discovery and practical learning. Sharing research in ways that shape classroom discussions and inspire future leaders allows his work to reach far beyond the confines of a single study or publication.
“I strive to incorporate my research insights into my classes and have my contributions incorporated into the teaching materials of other operations and supply chain educators,” Handley says. “One of the greatest compliments is when another educator tells me that they have included my research into their class materials. When our research becomes class content, it has the potential to influence future generations. That is exciting and rewarding.”
-Amanda Green