Title: Pooling Problems: Advances in Theory and ApplicationsSpeaker: Fabian RigterinkAffiliation: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences - The University of Newcastle AustraliaLocation: Room 554 Huxley BuildingTime: 3:00pmAbstract. The pooling problem is a nonconvex nonlinear programming problem with important applications. The nonlinearities of the problem arise from bilinear constraints that capture the blending of raw materials.... Read more »

Title: Optimisation with occasionally accurate data Speaker: Coralia Cartis Affiliation: Mathematical Institute - Oxford and Balliol College Location: Huxley building Time: 2:00pm (1 hour) Abstract. We present global rates of convergence for a general class of methods for nonconvex smooth optimization that include linesearch, trust-region and regularisation strategies, but that allow inaccurate problem information. Namely, we... Read more »

Title: On the Passage From Local to Global in Optimization - New Challenges in Theory and Practice Speaker: Prof. Panos M. Pardalos Affiliation: Departments of Industrial and Systems and Biomedical Engineering - University of Florida Location: Room 145 Huxley Building Time: 4:30pm (1 hour) Abstract. Large scale problems in the design of networks, energy systems, medicine and drug design,... Read more »

Title: On Robust Selection Problems Speaker: Marc Goerigk Affiliation: Department of Management Science - Lancaster University Location: Room LT1 Business School Time: 2:30pm (1 hour) Abstract. Robust optimisation considers problems that are affected by uncertain data: How can we find a solution that performs well, even if things don't go quite as planned? Typically, adding... Read more »

Title: Solution of an old problem in vector optimisation - Support function of the generalised Jacobian Speaker: Prof. Abbas Edalat Affiliation: Department of Computing - Imperial College Location: Room 217 Huxley Building Time: 3:00pm (1 hour) Abstract. Many optimisation problems are non-smooth in the sense that the objective function is not differentiable. This is invariably the case in many... Read more »

Title: On Bit Representations of Mixed-Integer Quadratic Programs. Speaker: Prof. Adam Letchford Affiliation: Management School - Lancaster University Location: Room 217 Huxley Building Time: 3:00pm (1 hour) Abstract. A standard trick in integer programming is to replace each bounded general-integer variable with a small number of binary variables, using the bit representation of the given variable.... Read more »

Title: Smart Grids and Optimization - A Winning Combination Speaker: Prof. Miguel Anjos Affiliation: Polytechnique Montreal Location: Room 217 Huxley Building Time: 1:30pm (1 hour) Abstract. A smart grid is the combination of a traditional electrical power system with information and energy both flowing back and forth between suppliers and consumers. This new paradigm introduces major... Read more »

Title: Stochastic reformulations of linear systems and efficient randomized algorithms Speaker: Dr. Peter Richtarik Affiliation: School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh Location: Room 217 Huxley Building Time: 3:00pm Abstract. We propose a new paradigm for solving linear systems. In our paradigm, the system is reformulated into a stochastic problem, and then solved with a randomized algorithm. Our reformulation... Read more »

Title: Prediction of Stock market crashes,entry exits from bubbles, hedge fund disasters and their prevention Speaker: Prof. William T. Ziemba Affiliation: Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia Location: LG19b Seminar Room, Business School Time: 2:00pm Abstract. Bubbles occur in financial markets from time to time. By a bubble we mean that the prices are... Read more »

Title: Robust Model Predictive Control Speaker: Dr. Saša V. Raković Location: Room 218 Huxley Building Time: 4:00pm Abstract.  Model predictive control (MPC) is an advanced control technique that employs an open–loop online optimization in order to take account of system dynamics, constraints and control objectives and to obtain the best current control action. Robust MPC (RMPC)... Read more »