Operational Research Society. The Operational Research Society (OR Society), also known as The OR Society, is an international learned society in the field of operational research.The OR Society is a leading professional body for operational research (OR) practitioners and academics. Based in the United Kingdom, the society promotes the understanding and use of operational research in addressing real-world problems across various sectors, including industry, government, and academia. 

Its mission is to advance the science and practice of operational research by encouraging innovation, promoting knowledge sharing, and offering support for OR professionals. The Society has 4,000+ members (2024) and continues to grow year on year, the headquarters are in Birmingham, England.

History

The OR Society was established in 1948 as the world’s first operational research society, reflecting the growing interest in the use of scientific methods to solve complex management and operational problems. The roots of OR date back to World War II, where techniques such as simulation, optimisation, and statistics were used to enhance military operations. After the war, these methods began to be applied to a wide range of industries and organisations, leading to the formation of a dedicated society to support professionals in this emerging field.

The OR Society was founded by pioneers in the field, including notable figures such as Sir Charles Goodeve and Patrick Blackett. The society's first meeting was held in the London School of Economics, and its founding goal was to develop and disseminate OR techniques while providing a platform for networking and collaboration. Since then, the society has grown to include thousands of members globally and continues to be a significant force in the evolution of operational research, with members in 53 countries. A full history of The OR Society can be found at https://www.theorsociety.com/ORSHistory

Founding members of the OR society included: Charles F. Goodeve, Patrick Blackett, and Charles Tizard.

Governance

The OR Society is registered charity number 313713 and also a company limited by guarantee (Company number 00663819). 

Its charitable objectives are:
the advancement of knowledge and interest in OR.
the advancement of education in OR.

The governance of  The OR Society is structured around a Council, which serves as the governing body responsible for the strategic direction and overall management of the society. The Council comprises elected members, including the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and other key officers.

The President of the society typically serves a term of two years, while other council members may serve in various capacities for terms ranging from one to three years. These roles are filled through elections, ensuring that governance remains democratic and representative of the society’s diverse membership. The Council meets regularly to discuss matters related to policy, finance, membership, and the future development of the society.

Several committees support the Council in carrying out its duties. Each committee focuses on specific areas such as financial oversight, scholarly output, and professional development. The management of the society is overseen by a General Council, consisting of up to 36 members. Its affairs are managed by a board, consisting of five officers elected by the membership, including the President, the immediate Past President or the President Elect, two vice presidents, an Honorary Treasurer, and up to six members of the General Council.
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The current president is Sanja Petrovic. Previous presidents have included Sir Owen Wansbrough-Jones, Maurice Kendall, John Giffard, 3rd Earl of Halsbury, George Alfred Barnard, and K. D. Tocher.

Publications

The OR Society is known for its extensive range of high-quality academic and professional publications. These include journals, magazines, and newsletters that disseminate cutting-edge research, case studies, and articles on the application of operational research techniques. The society's flagship journals are internationally recognised and attract contributions from leading academics and practitioners. https://www.theorsociety.com/publications

Key publications include:

Journal of the Operational Research Society (JORS): This is the society's flagship academic journal, publishing original research papers that make significant contributions to the theory and practice of operational research. Journal of the Operational Research Society,

European Journal of Operational Research (EJIS): EJIS is one of the most widely read journals in the field and publishes papers that bridge the gap between theory and practical applications in OR. European Journal of Information Systems

Knowledge Management Research & Practice (KMRP): This journal focuses on the role of intelligent systems in supporting decision-making processes and publishes papers related to artificial intelligence and machine learning in operational research contexts. Knowledge Management Research and Practice

Journal of Simulation (JOS): This journal publishes research on the theory and application of simulation modelling, including discrete-event simulation, agent-based modelling and system dynamics.  Journal of Simulation 

Health Systems Journal: This journal focuses on providing a systems perspective on the use of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Research (OR) in healthcare.

Journal of Business Analytics (JBA): This journal publishes innovative business analytics methods and methodologies featuring real-world data. Topics range from machine learning to statistics and beyond.

Applied Operations and Analytics (AOA) Journal: This is the Society’s first Open Access journal, and targets better decision making, comprehension of complex systems, and solutions to challenging problems.

Impact magazine: This magazine is the aimed at those who are interested in the impact that can be achieved by the use of an analytical approach to decisions.

Inside OR: The society's magazine, Inside OR, provides updates on industry trends, professional development opportunities, and society news. It also includes case studies, event announcements, and articles on the practical application of OR methods. 

https://www.theorsociety.com/insideOR

The society also published O.R. Insight. The society's publisher is Taylor & Francis.

Training courses

The OR Society is committed to the continuous professional development of its members and the broader OR community. To that end, the society offers a wide range of training courses designed to enhance both technical and professional skills. These courses are aimed at OR professionals at various stages of their careers, from beginners looking to build foundational knowledge to advanced practitioners seeking to deepen their expertise. https://www.theorsociety.com/training

Courses offered by the OR Society cover a broad spectrum of topics, including:

Introduction to Operational Research: Designed for newcomers to the field, this course provides an overview of key OR techniques such as linear programming, simulation, and decision analysis.

Advanced Data Analytics and Modelling: This course focuses on advanced analytical techniques, such as optimisation, predictive modelling, and machine learning, all of which are critical tools for operational researchers working in data-rich environments.

Soft Skills for OR Practitioners: Operational research professionals often work in interdisciplinary teams, requiring strong communication, leadership, and collaboration skills. This course emphasises the development of these skills to complement technical expertise.

Conferences

The OR Society hosts a variety of events and conferences designed to promote networking, learning, and the exchange of ideas within the operational research community. These events attract both national and international attendees from academia, industry, and public sector organisations. https://www.theorsociety.com/events

One of the flagship events is the Annual OR Society Conference (OR Conference), which brings together hundreds of OR professionals and researchers. The conference provides a platform for presenting the latest research, sharing innovative solutions to real-world problems, and discussing future trends in operational research. In addition to technical sessions, the event features keynote speakers, workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.

Other significant conferences organised by the society include:

New to OR Operational Research Conference (New2OR): Aimed at early-career professionals and PhD students, this conference encourages a supportive environment for presenting research, exchanging ideas, and building professional networks.

Simulation Workshop (SW): Focused on the latest advancements in simulation techniques and their applications in OR, this workshop brings together experts from academia and industry.

Analytics Summit: Aimed at professionals working with data analytics, this event highlights how OR techniques intersect with data science and machine learning in practice.

Regional Networks and Special Interest Groups

Additionally, the society organises regular webinars, seminars, and special interest group (SIG) meetings throughout the year, allowing members to stay informed on emerging trends and techniques.

Regional networks  - several across the UK to provide members with localised support, networking opportunities, and knowledge-sharing platforms. These regional groups are an integral part of the society’s structure, allowing members to connect with other operational research professionals in their area through events.  These events provide a forum for discussing both theoretical and applied OR and often feature speakers from industry, government, and academia.

The regional groups also collaborate with other local professional organisations and universities to deliver joint events and encourage interdisciplinary cooperation. In addition to geographical network. https://www.theorsociety.com/networks

Special Interest Groups(SIGS)

The OR Society has established special interest groups (SIGs) that focus on specific aspects of operational research, such as healthcare, defence, and transport. https://www.theorsociety.com/SIGs

Education in OR (ORiE)

The education of operational research professionals is a core mission of the OR Society. The society supports both academic institutions and individuals by promoting the teaching and study of operational research at all levels, from undergraduate to doctoral programs.

The society works closely with universities to develop OR curricula that align with the needs of industry and modern business environments.

In addition to supporting formal education, the OR Society provides educational resources to students and educators, such as case studies, teaching materials, and access to journals. It also offers scholarships and prizes to recognise and support outstanding students in OR programs.

Furthermore, the OR Society supports continuing education and professional development through workshops, training courses, and certification programs. These initiatives help OR professionals stay current with advancements in the field and maintain their professional competence throughout their careers. https://www.theorsociety.com/ORiE

Pro Bono OR

A key initiative of The OR Society is its Pro Bono OR program, which was launched to help charities and third-sector organisations benefit from operational research expertise. This initiative connects volunteer OR professionals with non-profit organisations that may not have the resources to employ OR consultants. https://www.theorsociety.com/ProBonoOR

Through the Pro Bono OR scheme, volunteer practitioners provide free operational research consultancy services to help non-profits improve efficiency, resource allocation, and decision-making processes. The types of support provided include:

Process optimisation: Helping organizations streamline their operations to reduce waste and improve productivity.

Data analysis and forecasting: Assisting with analysing large datasets to predict future trends, demand, or outcomes.

Strategy development: Supporting the design of long-term strategies based on quantitative analysis and modelling techniques.

Capacity planning: Helping charities assess their staffing and resource needs based on future demand.

This initiative allows OR professionals to apply their skills to social good while gaining valuable experience in diverse settings. It also demonstrates the impact of operational research beyond traditional business and industry applications.

Accreditation 

Accreditation is a formal process of evaluating and recognising an organisation, institution, or program as meeting specific standards of quality and competence. 
OR Society accreditation recognises OR professionals as they progress through grades Candidate Associate, Associate, Associate Fellow and Fellow of the OR Society over the course of their career.

Appropriately experienced ORS members can access Chartered Scientist and Registered Scientist accreditation with the Science Council, and/or Certified / Advanced Data Science Professional via the Alliance for Data Science Professionals

These accreditation routes are not mutually exclusive, meaning many ORS members achieve accreditation in more than one of the pathways.

The OR Society offers its members three pathways for professional certification

OR Society accreditation
Chartered Scientist and Registered Scientist
Certified / Advanced Data Science Professional

These are offered only to members because membership of a relevant professional society is universally recognised as a key component of certified professional competence..

https://www.theorsociety.com/accreditation

Apprenticeships 

The OR Society is an Ofqual recognised apprenticeship End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). ORS currently offers assessment in one apprenticeship standard and intends to grow its qualification portfolio within its footprint of OR/Data Science/AI.

'Level 7 Operational Research Apprenticeship

The Level 7 Operational Research Specialist (OR) Apprenticeship, is designed for professionals seeking advanced skills in operational research, analytics, and data science. This apprenticeship is equivalent to a master’s degree and provides a structured learning pathway that blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience in applying OR techniques to real-world business challenges. 

Participants develop expertise in areas such as mathematical modelling, decision analysis, simulation, and optimisation, equipping them with the skills to drive data-informed decision-making within organisations. Through this program, apprentices are prepared to take on leadership roles in analytics and operations management, supporting the growing demand for data-driven problem solvers in various sectors. https://theorsociety.com/Apprenticeship

Awards 

To promote and disseminate O.R. knowledge and working practices the OR Society gives awards (medals, prizes and grants). These awards include (but are not limited to):
The Beale Medal - for sustained contribution to O.R.
The President’s Medal – for the best account of O.R. practice given at the Society’s annual conference
The Doctoral Award - most distinguished body of research leading to the award of a doctorate in the field of O.R.
Scholarships to enable distinguished contributors to present their work at the IFORS Triennial Conference
Donald Hicks Scholarships for young researchers and practitioners
The May Hicks awards for student projects
The Simpson Award for young researchers and practitioners
The Lyn Thomas Impact Medal - awarded to the academic or research which best demonstrates novelty and real-world impact, backed up by evidence
https://www.theorsociety.com/awards

Interaction with other bodies

The OR Society works with a number of other bodies, to achieve common aims, including (amongst others):
 International Federation of Operational Research Societies, an umbrella organisation for 45 plus O.R. societies from different countries across the world.
 Association of European Operational Research Societies, (a regional grouping within the International Federation of Operational Research Societies (IFORS)).
 The Council for Mathematical Sciences. This council provides advice to government, education funding committees (such as ESPRC) on mathematical matters including education and policy, and brings together mathematicians with stakeholders in mathematics to explore issues and solutions. The council includes The O.R. Society, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, The Royal Statistical Society, The London Mathematical Society and the Edinburgh Mathematical Society.

See also 
 List of mathematical societies
 Council for the Mathematical Sciences

References

External links 
 
Catalogue of the ORS archives, held at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick

1948 establishments in the United Kingdom
Mathematical societies
Organisations based in Birmingham, West Midlands
Organizations established in 1948