Operations Research 2025
Abstract Submission

2446. The Future of Optimisation Research

Invited abstract in session FB-5: Semi-plenary talk López-Ibáñez, stream PC Stream.

Friday, 10:45-11:30
Room: H7

Authors (first author is the speaker)

1. Manuel López-Ibáñez
University of Manchester

Abstract

This talk examines some recent, and not so recent, trends in optimisation research in its broadest sense, that is, including both exact and heuristic methods. Despite impressive achievements in solving a diverse range of increasingly complex problems, there are a few practices that hinder progress in our field. Among them, poor empirical reproducibility, lack of novelty, and questionable research practices. At the same time, developments in surrogate models, reinforcement learning and Large Language Models (LLMs) are already disrupting classical optimisation approaches. These developments bring also many opportunities to push forward the state of the art in optimisation research. Similarly, the success of general-purpose commercial heuristic solvers presents new challenges to the research field, while also raising the bar for impactful research. Finally, the talk will highlight several relatively under-explored directions in optimisation research, including reflective optimisers and “human-in-the-optimisation-loop”.

Keywords

Status: accepted


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