Centre for Operational Research and Logistics

Helping organisations make better decisions

Find out how we work with partners in the public and private sector to overcome operational and logistical challenges

In the Centre for Operational Research and Logistics (CORL), we're using our expertise in analytics, data, algorithms, system design, simulation, modelling, programming, and forecasting to help organisations around the world make better decisions.

At a time when businesses are facing ever-more complex questions – around issues such as technology, efficiency and sustainability – we're working closely with partners in the public and private sector to solve their problems and challenges.

At CORL, experts in mathematics, technology, business and industrial research work on research that spans many potential applications. Recent projects have explored ways to make transport systems more efficient and how analytics can be used to improve healthcare and renewable energy.

Research

Our research covers these areas of expertise:

Decision and data analytics

Research in the design of decision support systems, and use of data analysis, to help people make better decisions through a better understanding of their data.

Data analyst looking at data on a monitor

Exact and metaheuristic solution methods

Heuristic and metaheuristic techniques are powerful and flexible research methodologies that offer a faster way of solving complex logistical challenges.

Healthcare analytics

From nurse scheduling to infection and disease modelling, our research provides decision-makers in the healthcare sector with optimal strategies for treatment.

nurse pointing at scan on computer screen

Multiple criteria decision aid

Approaching complex problems with conflicting criteria, or uncertain data, our research helps people make more informed decisions.

meeting between large group in room with pink wall

Optimisation modelling

As well as improving business efficiency, we're enabling people to make optimal decisions that can lead to practices with enhanced economic, environmental or social benefits.

Female warehouse working checking tablet

Renewable energy and sustainability analytics

Modelling to answer a host of questions, from how to produce renewable energy more cheaply, to how the associated logistics can be sustainable.

Risk and security analytics

We help organisations learn from failures, so they can improve the quality and resilience of their operations, and we develop new analytic approaches to detect security threats.

Man cleaning up oil spill on a beach in Thailand

Transportation and maritime systems

Our research focuses on developing innovative optimisation models and decision support systems, to help improve the mobility of people, goods and services.

Passenger boats and tall ships in Portsmouth harbour

SLIC (Smart Light Concepts)

A project that aims to develop and test various methods, tools, concepts and proven innovative techniques for energy savings, energy efficiency and renewable energy use in public lighting
ARCSAR (Arctic and North Atlantic Security and Emergency Preparedness Network)

This project aims to prepare the Arctic and North-Atlantic region for security and safety threats, including traffic through the Northern passages, cruise traffic, and offshore oil and gas activity
LEANWIND (Logistic Efficiencies And Naval architecture for Wind Installations with Novel Developments)

A project which aims to provide cost reductions across the offshore wind farm lifecycle and supply chain through the application of lean principles and the development of state of the art technologies and tools
NEREUS (new energy and resources from urban sanitation)

This project focuses on boosting the transformation of wastewater into a valuable source of water, nutrients (e.g. cellulose, nutrients), and energy
CoBra (Cooperative Brachytherapy Project)

A project which aims to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment of localized cancers by developing a new medical robot prototype for brachytherapy and biopsy under guidance of MRI