Stewart
Robinson
Professor
of Operational Research
Operational Research and
Management Sciences Group |
 |
A
Brief Career History
Education: BSc and PhD in Management Science (Operational Research) from Lancaster University.
My career started in the management services group of a major UK footwear retailer. I have been working in the field of computer simulation since 1986, initially working as a simulation consultant with AT&T Istel (now Lanner Group) developers of the Witness simulation software. There I supported the use of simulation in companies throughout Europe and the rest of the world, developing and using models, supporting others in their modelling efforts and providing training in simulation software and methodology.
In 1992 I joined the academic staff at Aston Business School in Birmingham teaching in the related fields of operational research, operations management and information management, and researching in computer simulation and modelling. In 1998 I moved to Warwick Business School where I continue to teach in the area of operational research and perform research in simulation and modelling.
Research
Activities
The focus of my research is on the practice of simulation, looking at how people go about developing and using simulation models and investigating how the practice of simulation can be improved. As a result my interests lie in the methodology and methods employed in simulation studies. The focus of my research is in the use of the discrete-event simulation approach largely for business applications, but I also have an interest in wider simulation methods, particularly system dynamics and agent-based modelling.
Seven key areas of interest are:
· Verification and validation of simulation models: practices and procedures for determining the confidence that can be placed in a simulation model. Related publications.
· Simulation practice: approaches to modelling, particularly in the business field. Three modes of practice have been identified: software engineering, process of social change and facilitation. Related publications.
· Comparison of discrete-event simulation and system dynamics: comparing model building and model use in discrete-event simulation and system dynamics. Related publications.
· Simulation Conceptual Modelling: conceptual modelling is the abstraction of a simulation model from a real world problem. Research is being carried out to develop this important field in simulation. Related publications.
· Simulation output analysis: analysis of the output from real simulation models. Methods developed/implemented for determining the warm-up period (using statistical process control), the run-length of a simulation and for detecting shifts in the mean of a steady-state simulation. Related publications. An EPSRC funded grant is being carried out in collaboration with SIMUL8 Corporation. This is investigating the potential for automating the analysis of simulation output. See details of the AutoSimOA project.
· The quality of operational research interventions: viewing quality as more than just the validity of the model, but the confidence that is placed in the overall intervention. Related publications.
· Modelling human decision-making and interaction in simulations: using artificial intelligence methods (rule based systems and neural networks) to represent human-decision makers in a simulation. Included in this is the use of a simulation as a gaming environment in which example decisions are built up for training the artificial intelligence systems. Collaborative research with Ford Motor Company and Lanner Group, funded by the EPSRC. Grant 1 completed September 2002 (details). Grant 2 commenced October 2002 (details). Related publications.
· Agent-based simulation: for modelling social networks and supply chains. Related publications.
The book Simulation: The Practice of Model Development and Use (Wiley) (Robinson, 2004) provides a guide to performing simulation projects.
Click here for a full list of publications.
Research
Supervision
Applications from students interested in pursuing a higher degree by research in simulation are welcome. This might be in the area of discrete-event simulation, system dynamics, agent-based modelling or a mixture of these approaches. Ideal candidates will have a background in business, mathematics/statistics, engineering or computing and have a keen interest in the successful application of simulation to real world problems. An emphasis on methodological issues is of particular interest.
For further information on
Current PhD Students
Stavrianna Dimitriou: Agent-based simulation of incentive alignment in supply chains.
Yang Meng: Modelling hospital based infections (e.g. MRSA) using agent-based simulation.
Tom Monks: Understanding how model reuse affects the learning gained from developing and using models.
Antuela Tako: Comparing the development and use of discrete-event simulation and system dynamics models.
Christopher Watts: Dynamic modelling of social networks. Modelling energising relations in networks using agent-based approaches.
Previous PhD Students
Rizwan Ahmed: Development of a rapid simulation modelling process for software process simulation.
Thanos Alifantis: Developing the Knowledge
Based Improvement methodology that uses simulation to learn about and model the
effects of human decision making in manufacturing systems. An EPSRC collaborative project with Ford
Motor Company and Lanner Group (details).
Ernie Lee: Investigating the use of visual interactive simulation as a knowledge elicitation tool. An EPSRC collaborative project with Ford Motor Company and Lanner Group (details).
Teaching
Activities
Most of my
teaching is at post-graduate level on MBA and Warwick Business School's
specialist masters course in Management Science and Operational Research.
Specific modules taught are:
·
Simulation (Masters
and Undergraduate)
·
System dynamics
(Masters)
·
OR Methodology
(Masters)
·
Modelling and
Analysis for Management (MBA core module)
·
Business
modelling (MBA elective)
I also
supervise a number of masters projects each year, many of which involve the
application of modelling in an organisation.
Consulting
Activities
Simulation Modelling: the development and use of simulation models for manufacturing and service applications. Experienced in the use of the Witness and Simul8 simulation packages.
Simulation Modelling Support: support to those developing their own simulation models. Advice on all aspects of a simulation modelling exercise - defining the model, data collection and analysis, model development, model validation and experimentation.
Simulation Software Selection: helping organisations to select the right simulation software for their needs.
Developing a Simulation Strategy: advice on selecting the right approach to simulation modelling in order to best meet an organisation's simulation needs.
Simulation Training: one to three day seminars and training courses in performing simulation projects, covering all aspects of simulation methodology from defining the problem, through model development, data collection and analysis, model testing, experimentation and implementation.
Model Reviews: independent verification and validation of simulation models.
Other
Professional Activities
Associate Dean for Specialist Masters at
Co-chair of the Operational
Research Society Simulation Workshop: a biennial conference.
Joint Editor of the Journal of Simulation.
Member of the EPSRC Peer Review College
Member of the INFORMS Simulation Society Council
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Bit More about Me
As a Christian I am involved with my local church Bidford-on-Avon Baptist Church.
I enjoy sport of most kinds, but particularly long distance running. Some records:
10km (6.2 miles): 40 mins 03 secs (I did do it a bit quicker 20 years ago!)
Half
Marathon (26.2 miles): 3 hours 15 mins
Having 3 children doesn’t leave me much time for anything else!