Get to know the members of ORSSA: Christa Searle

In this edition of Get to Know the Members of ORSSA, we introduce Christa, who is now based at the Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh! As an active member of the Operations Research community, Christa brings her own unique experiences and perspective to the field.

Christa, what is your academic and professional background?

"I studied Industrial Engineering at Stellenbosch University, where my PhD was on using agent-based simulation modelling to model conflict-induced forced migration. After finishing my studies, I stayed in academia and, about five years ago, I joined the Business School at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh."

What type of OR-related work are you currently involved in?

"I teach business analytics and my research focuses on sustainability and logistics, using OR and simulation modelling approaches to tackle real-world problems."

How (and when) did you first get involved with ORSSA?

"I first got involved with ORSSA in 2016 when I attended the ORSSA conference as an MEng student. The conference was held at Lanzerac in Stellenbosch, and I really enjoyed the combination of interesting talks, engaging social activities and the opportunity to meet people from across the OR community. Not long afterwards, I became the Western Cape chapter secretary."

Have you had positions on the Exec of ORSSA (and if so, when and what position)?

"Yes. I served as Treasurer around 2018/2019, and later as additional member and SAIIE liaison around 2021."

What do you enjoy most about being part of ORSSA or the OR community?

"The ORSSA conferences are always a highlight! They’re a wonderful opportunity to catch up with colleagues and friends, hear about interesting projects, and reconnect with the wider OR community. The society provides a fantastic network of OR expertise."

What excites you about the field of OR?

"The opportunity to use the “science of better” to make a positive impact. I enjoy applying OR to address real-world challenges, particularly those with the potential to contribute to social good."

What OR method, tool, or concept do you find yourself using most often and why?

"Agent-based simulation modelling – it’s a great tool for capturing the complexities of the real world, including human behaviour and interactions, and exploring the emergent behaviour of complex systems."

What skills do you think are most important for students or early-career OR practitioners to develop today?

"One of the most important skills is the ability to engage in an interdisciplinary way. While a siloed approach may produce elegant solutions on paper, those solutions don’t always work in practice. It’s important to learn how to collaborate across disciplines and consider the broader context, including the people and the natural environment affected by their decisions."

What’s the most unexpectedly interesting real-world application of OR you’ve come across?

"One that caught my attention recently is a study using drones equipped with sound and optical sensors to locate the nests of the Asian hornet, an invasive species that poses a threat to biodiversity in the UK. The researchers used optimisation techniques to determine the most efficient flight paths for the drones, making it possible to search larger forest areas more effectively. It's a great example of how OR can contribute to environmental conservation."