IOER Forum

Modelling & Simulation (M&S) techniques such as discrete-event and agent-based simulation are frequently used in Operations Research (OR) to aid decision-making. With the growing complexity of systems, studies now apply multiple M&S techniques or Hybrid Simulation (HS) to represent the underlying system of interest. In contrast, Hybrid Modelling (HM) extends M&S discipline by combining theories, frameworks, techniques and established research approaches that have existed as extant knowledge within disciplines, and applying multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary solutions to practice. Within M&S, there is limited evidence of using conjoined methods for building HMs. Where a stream of such research does exist, the integration of approaches is mostly at a technical level. The talk will motivate the need for a transdisciplinarity-enabling framework for M&S that supports the collaboration of research efforts from multiple disciplines, allowing them to grow into transdisciplinary research.

Our Speaker:
Navonil Mustafee is Professor of Analytics and Operations Management at the University of Exeter Business School, UK. He is the Founder and Chair of the Health and Care IMPACT Network, which is a collaboration between the Business School and NHS Trusts in the South West of England. His research focuses on Modelling and Simulation methodologies and their application in areas such as healthcare, supply chain management and the circular economy. A particular area of interest is Hybrid Modelling. He is a Co-Investigator for EU projects investigating systemic solutions for resilience to climate change (ARSINOE) and circular economy of water (ULTIMATE), and a UKRI-funded project on healthcare redesign (SPHERE). He received the OR Society’s Lyn Thomas Impact Medal for 2022 for developing a platform informing attendance choices for urgent care.