| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Corney, T., du, Plessis., Woods, B., Lou, C., Dewhurst, A., & Mawren, D. (241201). If you are feeling alone and you are not feeling safe, it impacts everything : a mixed-methods exploration of international students accommodation, subjective wellbeing and mental health help-seeking. BMC Public Health, 24(1), |
| 2023 |
Lou, C. X., Natoli, R., Goodwin, D., Bok, B., Zhao, F., & Zhang, P. (230901). A Systematic Literature Review of Research on Social Procurement in the Construction and Infrastructure Sector: Barriers, Enablers, and Strategies. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(17), doi: 10.3390/su151712964 |
| 2023 |
Xin, B., Zhang, W., Zhang, W., Lou, C. X., & Shee, H. K. (230901). Strategic Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Supply Chain Innovation from the Perspective of Collaborative Advantage. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(17), doi: 10.3390/su151712879 |
| 2023 |
Natoli, R., Lou, C. X., & Goodwin, D. (230701). Addressing Barriers to Social Procurement Implementation in the Construction and Transportation Industries: An Ecosystem Perspective. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(14), doi: 10.3390/su151411347 |
| 2023 | Jin, H., Chan, M., Morda, R., Lou, C. X., & Vrcelj, Z. (230101). A scientometric review of sustainable infrastructure research: visualization and analysis. International Journal of Construction Management, 23(11), (1847-1855). |
Key details
Areas of expertise
- Sustainable supply chain management
- Social and economic impact
- Operations management
- Diversity and inclusion
- Decision-making
Available to supervise research students
Available for media queries
About Catherine Lou
Dr Catherine Lou is Associate Professor in supply chain and logistics in the Victoria University Business School, specialisation advisor in the Supply Chain and Logistics undergraduate course, and Discipline Leader for Transformative Research in Policy, Economy and Business at the Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities at Victoria University.
Catherine joined VU as a lecturer after she completed her PhD (Supply Chain Optimisation) in 2015. During her PhD she was awarded the International Student of the Year – Postgraduate by Victoria State in 2013 and has since been awarded the VU Outstanding Student Alumni Award 2015. In October 2018 Catherine was awarded the Young Professional of the Year award by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Australia (CILTA). She is the Australia Chairperson and Global Vice Chairperson (Australasia) for Women in Logistics and Transport.
She has conducted research in supply chain modelling since 2008 and has a strong applied mathematical modelling background. Catherine has received competitive research grants during her research career. She has research interests that cover the topics:
- supply chain management (sustainability, operations management, optimisation modelling, social procurement, corporate governance and performance, risk management)
- green tourism (sustainable supply chain framework) and visitor economy
- women in leadership and development, gender/cultural diversity and inclusion for sustainable development
- international students wellbeing
- business information systems through the application of optimisation modelling, statistics, and other quantitative analysis.
Qualifications
- PhD, Victoria University, Australia, 2015
- MSc, BUAA, China, 2010
- GCTE, Victoria University, 2018
Key publications
Catherine has over 28 publications, with a selection listed here.
A more comprehensive list of Catherine 's publications is available in the VU Research Repository.
Book (showing 1 of 2)
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Lou, C. X., Islam, S. MN., & Billington, N. (220729). Supply chain management and corporate governance: Artificial intelligence, game theory and robust optimisation. |
Book chapter (showing 1)
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Lou, C. X., Bonti, A., Prokofieva, M., & Abdelrazek, M. (220101). Supply Chain and Decision Making: What is Next for Visualisation? (pp. 653-672). |
Commissioned research report (showing 3)
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Lou, X., Natoli, R., & Goodwin, D. (240328). Evaluation of the Social Procurement Capacity Building Program for SMEs in Melbourne s West. |
| 2023 | Pyke, J., Crosthwaite, C., Lou, C., Gamage, A., & Bonte, T. (231101). Indonesia Tourism Research Project. |
| 2023 | Lou, X., Natoli, R., & Shee, H. (230714). Warehousing - Addressing Changing Skills Needs. |
Journal article (showing 5 of 10)
Research funding for the past 5 years
Please note:
- Funding is ordered by the year the project commenced and may continue over several years.
- Funding amounts for contact research are not disclosed to maintain commercial confidentiality.
- The order of investigators is not indicative of the role they played in the research project.
2023
|
Embrace
From: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government (DFAT)
Other investigators: Aspr Camilla Brockett, Dr Riccardo Natoli, Dr Joanne Pyke, Prof Timothy Corney
For period: 2023-2025
|
$100,000 |
|
Indonesia Tourism Skills and Research Project
From: Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
Other investigators: Dr Joanne Pyke, Dr Ancy Gamage, Dr Madelene Blaer
For period: 2023-2023
|
Not disclosed |
|
Social Procurement Capacity Building for SMEs in Melbourne’s West
From: ARC BLUE CONSULTING (AUS) PTY LTD
Other investigators: Aspr David Goodwin, Dr Riccardo Natoli
For period: 2023-2023
|
Not disclosed |
2022
|
Warehousing - Addressing Changing Skills Needs
From: Victorian Skills Authority
Other investigators: Dr Riccardo Natoli, Dr Himanshu Shee
For period: 2022-2023
|
$39,500 |
|
Australia-ASEAN: 'New
Normal for the Visitor Economy Supply Chain'
From: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government (DFAT)
Other investigators: Dr Joanne Pyke, Prof Terry De lacy, Dr Thu-huong Nguyen
For period: 2022-2023
|
$38,500 |
2021
|
Social Value Creation for Transport and Infrastructure
From: Victorian Higher Education Strategic Investment Fund
Other investigators: Dr Malindu Sandanayake, Aspr Elmira Jamei, Dr Hing-wah Chau, Aspr David Goodwin, Prof Zora Vrcelj, Dr Riccardo Natoli, Dr Melissa Chan, Dr Jonny Bouras
For period: 2021-2022
|
$593,000 |
2020
|
China's Development: Finance, Growth Models and Sustainable Development in Recipient Countries
From: Ford Foundation Beijing
Other investigators: Prof Peter Sheehan, Prof Bhajan Grewal, Prof Bruce Rasmussen
For period: 2020-2024
|
Not disclosed |
2019
|
International Student Housing and Mental Wellbeing
From: Department of Jobs, Precincts & Regions
Other investigators: Prof Timothy Corney
For period: 2019-2020
|
Not disclosed |
Supervision of research students at VU
Available to supervise research students
Available for media queries
Currently supervised research students at VU
| No. of students | Study level | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PhD Integrated | Principal supervisor |
| 1 | PhD Integrated | Associate supervisor |
| 1 | Master of Research | Associate supervisor |
Currently supervised research students at VU
| Students & level | Role |
|---|---|
| PhD Integrated (1) | Principal supervisor |
| PhD Integrated (1) | Associate supervisor |
| Master of Research (1) | Associate supervisor |
Teaching activities & experience
Catherine is the specialisation advisor Unit Coordinator of the following VU units:
- BEO5305 International Supply Chain Structure
- BMO2201 Distribution Management
- BMO2202 Purchasing and Supply Management
- BMO2181 Operations Management
- BMO3419 Supply Chain Analytics.
Key academic roles
| Dates | Role | Department / Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2024 - Present |
Discipline Leader for Transformative Research in Policy, Economy and Business, ISILC
|
Victoria University |
| Jun 2024 - Present |
Deputy Chair, Research and Research Training Committee,
|
Victoria University |
| Sep 2019 - Present |
Specialisation advisor for Supply Chain undergraduate course program
|
Victoria University |
| Sep 2021 - Present |
Research Leader for Business, Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities
|
Victoria University |
| May 2023 - Present |
Program research leader for Business, College of Arts, Business, Law, Education and IT
|
Victoria University |
| Sep 2023 - Dec 2023 |
Acting Associate Director, Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities
|
Victoria University |
| Dates | Role & Department/Organisation |
|---|---|
| Apr 2024 -
Present
|
Discipline Leader for Transformative Research in Policy, Economy and Business, ISILC
Victoria University |
| Jun 2024 -
Present
|
Deputy Chair, Research and Research Training Committee,
Victoria University |
| Sep 2019 -
Present
|
Specialisation advisor for Supply Chain undergraduate course program
Victoria University |
| Sep 2021 -
Present
|
Research Leader for Business, Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities
Victoria University |
| May 2023 -
Present
|
Program research leader for Business, College of Arts, Business, Law, Education and IT
Victoria University |
| Sep 2023 -
Dec 2023
|
Acting Associate Director, Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities
Victoria University |
Key industry, community & government roles
| Dates | Role | Department/Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2021 - Dec 2024 |
Global Vice Chairperson (Australasia)
|
Women in Logistics & Transport (WiLAT) |
| Jul 2023 - Sep 2025 |
Global Head, Women in Logistics and Transport Capacity Building Centre (WCBC)
|
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International |
| Oct 2020 - Oct 2023 |
Australia Chairperson
|
Women in Logistics & Transport (WiLAT) in Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport |
| Sep 2024 - Sep 2024 |
International Education Standards Committee (IESC) member
|
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International |
| Dates | Role & Department/Organisation |
|---|---|
| Sep 2021 - Dec 2024 |
Global Vice Chairperson (Australasia)
Women in Logistics & Transport (WiLAT) |
| Jul 2023 - Sep 2025 |
Global Head, Women in Logistics and Transport Capacity Building Centre (WCBC)
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International |
| Oct 2020 - Oct 2023 |
Australia Chairperson
Women in Logistics & Transport (WiLAT) in Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport |
| Sep 2024 - Sep 2024 |
International Education Standards Committee (IESC) member
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International |
Awards
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2018 |
Young Professional of the Year - Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Australia |
| 2019 |
International Young Achiever Award Finalist - Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (International) |
| 2021 |
VUBS Award for Excellence in Research (Individual - Early Career) - Victoria University Business School |
| 2022 |
Finalist of 'Professional Women in Transport' - Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Australia |
Professional memberships
- Chartered Fellow, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Australia
Media appearances
01st September 2018
"Meet Catherine Xiaocui Lou, the State of Victoria’s international postgraduate student of the year 2013." After Catherine graduated and she joined VU as academic, and was awarded the Young Professional of the Year award by Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Australia (CILTA). The award recognises outstanding individual, for their achievements in the industry in 2018. Her experience was captured as success stories under VU community.
