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Harbert lecturer Barry Russell incorporated anti-trafficking instruction into his
transportation and fulfillment class recently, educating 56 supply chain management
students on the topic.
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An Auburn University lecturer has incorporated the battle against human trafficking
into his supply chain management classes, inspired by a heart-tugging personal ministry
in South America.
Barry Russell is a lecturer at Auburn’s Harbert College of Business, primarily teaching transportation-related
courses such as transportation strategy and analytics in the Department of Supply Chain Management.
“Human trafficking affects an estimated 50 million people globally,” Russell said.
“Luckily there are great organizations like Truckers Against Trafficking that are
committed to educate, equip, empower and mobilize people in transportation and other
key industries to identify and combat human trafficking.
“[Recently] 56 students in my transportation and fulfillment class passed the TAT
training course... mobilizing an army of everyday heroes.”
It’s happening everywhere
Truckers Against Trafficking, established in 2009, started with a simple yet powerful belief: that every truck
driver can be a crucial ally in the fight against human trafficking.
Since then, the non-profit has grown to encompass a greater portion of the transportation
industry, forming deep alliances to raise awareness about human trafficking, who it
targets and signs of trouble.
Russell, originally from Birmingham, graduated from Auburn in 1991, majoring in aviation
management. He worked in logistics and supply chain before becoming a Harbert College
lecturer in 2021.
He has more than 28 years of experience as a practitioner developing supply chain
strategies and managing operations for technology manufacturers and telecom service
providers.
Russell’s interest in the fight against human trafficking stems from a personal connection.
“I am involved with a ministry in Ecuador, called Dunamis, that helps restore young girls that have been rescued out of human trafficking situations,
so this is an issue that is absolutely on my heart,” he said. “It is a crime that
takes advantage of young children that aren’t able to defend themselves and it is
happening in our own communities.”
Running with a good idea
When Russell learned about Truckers Against Trafficking, he immediately saw the value
of including the certification course in his supply chain management classes at Harbert.
“I think I first noticed TAT on LinkedIn and then saw that one of my colleagues at
Mississippi State taught the TAT training in his undergraduate transportation course,
so I immediately got inspired to fit it into my course,” he said. “Basically, I use
the certification training that TAT offers on their website and we spend about 45
minutes completing it in class.”
He praised the program for its far-reaching influence on American highways.
“TAT is a non-profit that focuses on combating human trafficking by offering truck
drivers free awareness training,” Russell said. “They are leveraging the fact that
truck drivers are in a unique position to identify signs of potential trafficking.
TAT mostly works with trucking carriers but have expanded their training for other
related industries.”
An example of how the program has helped recently was reported after a truck driver
working for a Madison, Alabama, company, was praised as a hero for having intervened and called for help in what he suspected was a victim fleeing
from an abduction.
The trucker had taken the Truckers Against Trafficking course at his company, MCK
Trucking Inc.
The program is a natural fit for supply chain students, Russell said.
“Many students will be supervising and managing drivers soon, so I know that has immediate,
very far-reaching potential. And it’s also likely they will work for more than one
trucking company in their career, so that could also expand the reach of the training
over time,” he said. “And for the others, awareness is a great thing.”
Barry Russell, lecturer Harbert College of Business
“All of my students will now be more keenly aware of the signs of trafficking, what
details to take note of and who to call. I suggested they all add the Trafficking
Hotline to their contacts on their phone,” he added.
A student’s praise
Erika Ross, a junior pursuing a major in supply chain management with a minor in finance,
shared high praise for the opportunity to experience the program in class.
“One thing I really appreciate about the Auburn supply chain management program is
how strongly our professors stay connected to real industry practices, because most
if not all of them have industry experience,” she said. “Throughout the curriculum,
we are constantly exposed to best practices and the realities of what supply chain
professionals face.
“Before taking Professor Russell’s class, I had very little insight into the intricacies
of the trucking or transportation industry because it had never been laid out for
me in such a practical way,” Ross said. “Professor Russell dedicated an entire class
session to the Truckers Against Trafficking program, and I am so grateful he did.
It was really eye-opening to learn how supply chain professionals, especially those
in trucking, can play a critical role in identifying and preventing human trafficking.”
The course also emphasizes the ethical impact the industry can have, she said.
“This program has equipped me with knowledge I know I will carry throughout my career
and my personal life,” Ross said. “This training enabled me to be more attentive,
informed, and willing to act when something does not seem right.
“At the end of the day, we are not just professionals, we are also citizens. We are
part of a network that can directly contribute to safety, vigilance and human dignity.”
Erika Ross, supply chain management major
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Learn more about Truckers Against Trafficking and the battle against human trafficking
Learn more about a degree in supply chain management in the Harbert College of Business
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