The German Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Susanne Baumann, visited the Global Supply Chain Observatory Lab at the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), on 15 June 2026.

The visit formed part of the Ambassador’s programme at the University of Cambridge and reflected her interest in understanding how emerging research and digital infrastructure can help address global supply chain vulnerabilities. Ambassador Baumann was particularly keen to explore how current vulnerabilities in critical mineral supply chains can be better understood, monitored, and minimised.

During the visit, Dr Mukesh Kumar, Director of the Global Supply Chain Observatory, welcomed the Ambassador and introduced the research vision behind the Observatory. The discussion focused on the growing importance of supply chain visibility, traceability, and transparency in sectors of strategic importance, including critical minerals and food supply chains.

The Ambassador was given a live demonstration of the Global Supply Chain Observatory research platform. The demonstration showed how the platform enables supply chain mapping, digital situational awareness through satellite-enabled analysis, advanced analytics, sustainability assessment, live data relay, and integrated monitoring of global supply chain risks. The prototype platform also illustrated how large-scale heterogeneous datasets can be combined with analytical tools to support evidence-based decision-making for policymakers, industry, and international partners.

The visit highlighted the potential of the Global Supply Chain Observatory to support international collaboration on supply chain resilience, strategic resource security, and sustainable industrial development. It also opened opportunities for future engagement between Cambridge and German stakeholders interested in critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, data-driven policy, and resilient supply chain systems.

Professor Tim Minshall, Head of the IfM, also joined the visit and provided an overview of the Institute, and its role in connecting research, education, industry, and policy.

The visit was coordinated with the University of Cambridge Global Engagement Office. Ambassador Baumann was accompanied by representatives from the German Embassy and the University’s Global Engagement team.

About the Observatory

The Global Supply Chain Observatory, led by the Industrial Resilience Research Group, is a pioneering data and analytics platform designed to make complex global supply chains more visible, transparent and resilient.

Drawing on diverse data sources and advanced analytical methods, the Observatory builds a continuously evolving picture of global supply networks and their associated risks. Research spans critical minerals and food supply chains, supporting scenario-based stress testing and the identification of vulnerabilities.

Read more about the UK-India Critical Mineral Supply Chain Observatory: https://medium.com/ifm-insights/building-resilient-futures-inside-the-uk-india-critical-mineral-supply-chain-observatory-8a4623c919a7

Explore the Global Supply Chain Observatory's latest tools, data and insights: https://app.cambridge-gsco.co.uk/