The Logistics, Operational Research and Analytics (LORA) group is made up of a substantial team of scientists at all career levels, working within the faculties of Business and Law and Technology. They apply their quantitative methodologies to improve decision making across a range of diverse fields of application.

Recently-won EU grants include programming the path of a new prostate cancer treatment robot; assessing smart lighting solutions in public spaces; optimal decisions to preserve cultural heritage; wastewater treatment option assessment; and working with coastguards to ensure safety in the Arctic region. We also have substantial global links and regularly welcome visiting researchers.

Logistics, Operational Research and Analytics (LORA) members conduct and supervise research in the following fields:

  • Distance metric optimisation
  • Goal programming theory and algorithms
  • Goal programming applications
  • Multiple objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs)
  • Reverse logistics
  • Transport and vehicle routing

Explore our research 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.

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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.

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Healthcare analytics

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

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Multiple criteria decision aid

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Resources

  • Suite of modelling software and optimisation packages
  • Suite of heuristic techniques for "hard" optimisation problems
  • Simulation software
  • Problem analysis and solving skills
  • Programming and prototype development skills
  • Fresh ideas
  • Funding opportunities