While traditional Operations Research often assumes rational decision-makers, the reality is far more complex. The OR Society’s Behavioral OR Workshop in Birmingham explores the intersection of psychology and mathematical modeling. This event is dedicated to understanding how human biases, emotions, and social dynamics influence the way decisions are made and how models are used in practice.
The workshop is divided into two core tracks. The first, "Modeling Human Behavior," looks at how to incorporate "irrational" human elements into formal models, such as agent-based models of consumer behavior or evacuation dynamics. The second track, "OR for Decision Support," focuses on the "soft" side of OR—facilitation skills, problem structuring methods (PSMs), and how to help groups reach a consensus when their values and objectives conflict.
A highlight of the 2026 workshop is the "Bias Lab." In this interactive session, participants will participate in live behavioral experiments to see firsthand how cognitive shortcuts can lead to suboptimal outcomes in business and policy. This is followed by a masterclass on "Nudge Theory in OR," exploring how subtle changes in information presentation can lead to better system-wide results without restricting individual choice.
The venue, located in Birmingham’s vibrant Jewellery Quarter, provides an intimate setting that encourages deep discussion and reflection. This workshop is particularly valuable for those working in change management, policy design, or any role where the success of a technical solution depends on human buy-in. It challenges the "black box" approach to modeling and encourages a more holistic, human-centric view of what it means to solve problems effectively.
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