Operational Research Society News

Emeritus Professor Peter Checkland, Honorary Fellow

Emeritus Professor Peter Checkland, Honorary Fellow

The Operational Research Society is saddened to report the death of Emeritus Professor Peter Checkland, a pioneering figure in systems thinking and Soft Systems Methodology whose work profoundly shaped Operational Research and management practice.

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GP Access as a Systems Problem

GP Access as a Systems Problem

Digital triage could help GP practices move beyond the 8am appointment rush, but only when supported by demand analysis, capacity planning and better system design.

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Using 3D mapping to improve emergency response planning

Using 3D mapping to improve emergency response planning

A high-resolution 3D model of Blackpool Pleasure Beach shows how geospatial data can support emergency planning, situational awareness and operational decision-making in complex public spaces.

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How OR can help data science move from insight to impact

How OR can help data science move from insight to impact

How operational research is helping data science move beyond prediction, supporting better optimisation, pricing, promotions and commercial decision-making.

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How Digital Twins Could Improve Pharma Production

How Digital Twins Could Improve Pharma Production

A new pharmaceutical manufacturing study shows how digital twins, live plant data, and real-time process control could improve decision-making in continuous production.

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Using Simulation to Strengthen Military Supply Chains

Using Simulation to Strengthen Military Supply Chains

How simulation, optimisation and systems thinking are helping the Ministry of Defence stress-test UK military supply chains for resilience under pressure.

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Introducing the Pro Bono OR Steering Group

Introducing the Pro Bono OR Steering Group

Meet our Pro Bono OR Steering Group, a team of OR professionals and charity leaders supporting charities with data-driven solutions and impactful pro bono projects.

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Optimising Sustainable Warehousing

Optimising Sustainable Warehousing

As UK logistics faces rising sustainability pressures, data-driven warehouse systems are emerging as a key tool for reducing emissions, improving efficiency, and supporting better operational decisions.

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Cyber Security as a Systems Problem

Cyber Security as a Systems Problem

New UK cyber security proposals for the energy sector highlight growing challenges in system resilience, supply chain risk, and decision-making under uncertainty—core areas for Operational Research.

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AI and the OR Society

AI and the OR Society

The OR Society is strengthening its role in artificial intelligence, highlighting how Operational Research can support more trustworthy, effective and responsible AI through training, events and a new AI taskforce.

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Why Virtual Power Plants Matter for OR

Why Virtual Power Plants Matter for OR

As virtual power plants scale, energy systems are becoming coordination problems as much as infrastructure ones. This creates a growing role for Operational Research in shaping how distributed resources are optimised and deployed.

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New TOSCA Research Centre Launching at University of Leeds

New TOSCA Research Centre Launching at University of Leeds

A new research centre focused on Technology, Operations and Supply Chain Analysis (TOSCA) will officially launch at the University of Leeds on 24 April 2026.

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