Celebrating 75 Years of Operational Research Excellence: A Look Back and Forward

In the dynamic realm of Operational Research, 2024 marks a remarkable milestone as the Journal of the Operational Research Society (JORS) celebrates its 75th anniversary. To commemorate this significant achievement, JORS has published a special encyclopaedic article titled ’’Operational Research: Methods and Applications.’’

Last year, in anticipation of the 75th anniversary, JORS organised two notable events: a session at OR65 and INFORMS. These gatherings not only served as platforms for insightful discussion but also set the stage for celebrations of JORS’s rich history and contribution in the field.

Working in collaboration with past editors, JORS meticulously curated a review of its history, capturing the essence of the journal’s evolution over the past seven and a half decades. The journey is showcased in the first two issues of 2024, featuring papers that delve into the reflections of past and present Editors. The thoughtful retrospection provides a glimpse into what shaped JORS into the influential publication it is today.

In the third issue (currently available online) JORS continues its celebration of its 75th anniversary with an encyclopaedic article, authored by Professor Fotios Petropoulos and eighty- one co-authors, each an expert in their respective fields. This comprehensive piece is divided into two sections, meticulously covering the Methods and Applications of Operational Research.The Methods section explores 24 Operational Research-based methods, delving into subdomains such as optimisation-related topics, soft OR, and system thinking. It serves as a testament to the diverse and evolving methodologies that have played a crucial role in advancing the field over the years.

On the other hand, the Applications section of the article weaves together real-world scenarios with the development of OR methodologies. Encompassing areas like transportation, cutting and packing, inventory management, sports and education, this section illustrated the broad spectrum of Operational Research’s impact on the practical world.

Since the article was published online it has already gained significant attention with over 8,000 downloads in the first month. This tremendous response highlights the thirst for knowledge within the Operational Research Community and beyond. You can read and access the article here: https://doi.org/10.1080/01605682.2023.2253852