Derek Dubois is a Ph.D. candidate in Operations and Supply Chain Management at the URI’s College of Business. Drawn to URI because of its strong research fit and collaborative culture, he entered the program with the goal of transitioning from a practitioner focused on solving organizational problems to a scholar dedicated to generating knowledge that helps others solve them. URI has supported the development of his independent research identity while preparing him for a career in academia.
Previously, Derek spent 18 years in leadership roles at CVS Health, most recently serving as Executive Director of Finance Operations. His academic interests are shaped by an unusual interdisciplinary background that combines supply chain management with media studies.
Before pursuing his Ph.D., Derek earned graduate training in Media Studies and taught film and media studies courses. He has published scholarship in media and cultural studies and is an award-winning filmmaker and writer whose work has been screened internationally. This background informs his current research examining how information moves through organizations, media systems, and society. Derek’s dissertation develops one of the first comprehensive frameworks for understanding the News Media Service Supply Chain (NMSSC). It examines how news is planned, sourced, produced, distributed, and consumed in contemporary digital environments. More broadly, his scholarship explores service supply chains, information flows, misinformation, digital transformation, and media ecosystems. His research has been published in leading journals, including the Journal of Business Logistics, European Journal of Operational Research, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Transportation Journal, and related outlets.
During his doctoral training, Derek has taught courses in Supply Chain Management, Transportation and Logistics, and Operations Management. Drawing on extensive industry experience, he emphasizes critical thinking, systems perspectives, and evidence-based decision making while helping students connect classroom concepts to real-world operational challenges. His research has been presented at major academic conferences, including the Academy of Management, Production and Operations Management Society, CSCMP, and DSI, and has received recognition from both the University of Rhode Island and professional supply chain organizations.