Title: OR Saves Lives!

Abstract: Healthcare systems are stochastic in nature; that is they typically operate in an environment of uncertainty and variability, both at scale and within highly complex and connected networks.  Furthermore, many healthcare services are under significant pressure to deliver more with less.  OR and analytical methods can help healthcare providers move towards optimally configured services.  Literally it can help save lives, for example in a major London hospital our research completely redesigned the care for stroke patients, which resulted in a reduction in mortality rates by 60%.  In this talk I will provide an overview of some current and recent OR healthcare modelling projects by the team at Cardiff University, highlighting different OR methodologies (especially those relating to behavioural models) and demonstrating impact.  

Bio: Professor Paul Harper is Professor of Operational Research in the School of Mathematics at Cardiff University, Deputy Head of School, and Director of the University’s Data Innovation Research Institute. His research interests are in stochastic OR, including queueing theory, simulation methods, optimisation and game theory, and applications to healthcare. Author of more than 90 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, Paul has been a named investigator on £11million of funded research grants, recipient of a Times Higher Education award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology, founding editor-in-chief of the international journal Health Systems (Taylor & Francis) and Director of Health Modelling Centre Cymru. He is also an elected Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW) and recipient of the 2018 'Companion of OR' Award (The UK OR Society).  profpaulharper.com