PhD student profile

About Amir’s research

This PhD project will design, implement, and evaluate a novel distributed publish-process-subscribe framework using blockchain technology, targeted for proactive supply chain management. Contemporary supply chain applications typically employ a centralised data-sharing technology, which is controlled and managed by a single stakeholder belonging to a single organisation, however, the supply chain naturally involves multiple organisations.

Multiple data-sharing modalities have been considered for supply chain applications including publish-subscribe message models. The pub-sub messaging model connects the data providers (denoted as the publishers) with the data consumers (denoted as the subscribers) through a topic-based interaction model.

It is anticipated that a decentralised computation engine following a publish-subscribe communication model would:

• automate the business processes;
• provide a high level of transparency and;
• trust with verifiability, and maintain the trust while preserving privacy; and
• help the supply chain stakeholders to leverage their legacy supply chain systems.

What questions will this research answer?

• How can we automate the processes required for extracting insights within the data-sharing middleware towards a publish-process-subscribe architecture?
• How can we decentralise PPS architecture and guarantee the correctness and trustworthiness of computations within the proposed PPS framework?
• How can we preserve the privacy of data and data producers while providing decentralised data processing facilities and verification?

Video presentation of Amir’s work

What drew Amir to this work?

Amir is a dynamic and inventive researcher in computer science with a strong foundation in software engineering, cloud computing, data analysis, IoT applications, and Blockchain technology.

His industry experience, marked by a deep involvement in data processing, inspired him to further his expertise in Data Science by obtaining an MPhil degree. His research focused on optimising resource scheduling for data processing in cloud environments, leading to the development of a cost-efficient, resource-hiring algorithm.

The iMOVE project, “Decentralised data sharing platform for supply chains” was a pivotal opportunity for him to deepen his understanding of data processing by exploring the potential of Blockchain technology. His current focus as a PhD candidate lies in the intersection of past experiences and new challenges, striving to preserve data and user privacy while upholding trust and integrity in his work.

A word from PhD supervisor, Professor Raja Jurdak

Why is this PhD important to investigate?

This research is important as it proposes a novel approach to supply chain management by integrating blockchain technology into a distributed publish-process-subscribe (PPS) framework. This has the potential to revolutionise how supply chain data is shared, processed, and used, making systems more efficient, transparent, and secure.

Current supply chain systems often suffer from centralisation, which can lead to single points of failure and potential data tampering. This research aims to mitigate these risks by developing a decentralised system, thereby enhancing the overall security and reliability of supply chain management.

By using blockchain technology, the project aims to create a more transparent and trustable environment where all stakeholders can verify transactions and data independently, which is crucial in complex supply chain networks involving multiple parties.

The project seeks to automate the processes within the supply chain, potentially leading to significant improvements in efficiency and cost-effectiveness of operations.

What are the major challenges to overcome in the field?

Integrating blockchain technology with a distributed PPS framework in a seamless and efficient manner is a significant technical challenge, especially given the complexity and diversity of existing supply chain systems. Balancing transparency with privacy and security is a delicate task.

Ensuring that sensitive data is protected while still providing a transparent and decentralised platform is a key challenge.

Where might this work lead in the (near and far) future?

In the short term, successful implementation of this project could lead to pilot projects or partnerships with supply chain companies, demonstrating the practical benefits of the system.

It could also inspire similar initiatives in other industries where data sharing and processing are critical. In the long run, this research could pave the way for a new standard in supply chain management, where decentralised, transparent, and secure data sharing and processing become the norm.

Additionally, It could contribute to the broader adoption of blockchain technology in various business processes, beyond supply chain management.

October 2024 Update: Final PhD project milestone achieved

With the final milestone of Amir’s PhD project completed, we’ve been in touch with Amir for a few more details about his work.

How can decentralised, privacy-preserving systems improve the resilience of Australian supply chains, particularly in handling disruptions or peak demand?

Our contributions provide a versatile middleware adaptable to supply chains as well as broader transport and freight networks. For supply chains, whether they require centralised automated processes, decentralised correctness-guaranteed operations, or privacy-preserving data processing, stakeholders can configure and integrate features that enhance data resilience

In the context of iMOVE’s work on national transport and mobility, these systems could be similarly applied to improve the robustness of transport data management by distributing data processing closer to its source. This decentralised approach allows transport operators and freight networks to maintain continuity during disruptions and respond flexibly to peak demands, ensuring that vital transport services remain operational and resilient.

What are the implications of enhanced data privacy for sensitive supply chain data shared between stakeholders?

The proposed solutions ensure that all sensitive data is protected cryptographic methods, meaning that stakeholders can collaborate without disclosing proprietary information. For iMOVE’s transport and mobility projects, this capability extends to secure data-sharing between government, industry, and research entities. By safeguarding the privacy of data in collaborative transport research and development, iMOVE and its partners can gain valuable insights without compromising data security, promoting wider data sharing across national projects aimed at improving transport systems.

In what ways can implementing a decentralised processing model reduce operational costs for supply chain participants?

With processing tasks located closer to data sources, our solutions reduce the need for extensive data transfer and reliance on centralised cloud infrastructure, which minimises latency and operational costs. In the realm of iMOVE’s R&D in transport and freight, this decentralised processing model can similarly reduce the costs associated with managing high-volume transport data. Transport systems benefit from this cost-effective processing model, which optimises resource allocation while lowering data transit expenses, helping achieve efficient operations across Australian transport networks.

How might Australian industries leverage this framework to gain a competitive advantage through secure data collaboration?

Our contributions enable industries to securely automate data processing across different sectors, including supply chains and transport systems. For iMOVE and its partners, this secure data-sharing framework facilitates collaboration among government, industry, and research institutions, generating insights that support innovation in transport and mobility. By allowing diverse stakeholders to share sensitive information confidently, iMOVE’s initiatives can gain a competitive edge in developing solutions for Australia’s transport challenges, helping accelerate advancements across the nation’s transport infrastructure.

What could be the potential impact on the Australian economy if decentralised, privacy-preserving frameworks become standard in supply chains and transport systems?

The adoption of decentralised, privacy-preserving frameworks could enhance Australia’s economic resilience by supporting more adaptable, secure, and collaborative operations in both supply chains and national transport systems. For iMOVE, these frameworks enable efficient, real-time data insights, supporting road and mobility R&D that tackles transport-related challenges. Implementing such frameworks within Australia’s transport networks could help lower costs, boost productivity, and improve service reliability. These impacts collectively contribute to a stronger, more stable economy that can adapt swiftly to changes, fostering national progress in both supply chain and transport sectors.

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Publications

Jabbari Sabegh, Amir, Ramachandran, Gowri, Mailik, Sidra, & Jurdak, Raja 2023) PPS: A Publish-Process-Subscribe Middleware For Predictive Supply Chains. In Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Mobile and Ubiquitous Systems: Computing, Networking and Services (MobiQuitous 2023), Melbourne, Australia, November, 2023. Springer. (In Press)

A. Jabbari, G. Ramachandran, S. Malik and R. Jurdak, “DPPS: A Decentralised Publish-Process-Subscribe Middleware with Verifiable Computations“, 2024 IEEE International Conference on Blockchain (Blockchain), Copenhagen, Denmark, 2024, pp. 72-80

Amir Jabbari, Gowri Ramachandran, Sidra Malik, Raja Jurdak, ZK-DPPS: A Zero-Knowledge Decentralised Data Sharing and Processing Middleware