EURO 2025 Conference welcomes over 2,000 global delegates to the University of Leeds
The 34th European Conference on Operational Research (EURO 2025) was held on the 22-25 June across the University of Leeds campus.
Welcoming more than 2,000 delegates from 68 different countries to our vibrant campus, this landmark event not only showcased Leeds University Business School’s role as a hub of academic excellence and hospitality but also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Association of European Operational Research Societies (EURO), marking five decades of innovation, collaboration, and impact in the field of Operational Research.
Alongside researchers, the conference was attended by practitioners from over 200 companies and organisations, including around 70 from the civil service and government. The exhibition space also featured 20 exhibitors, further enriching the exchange between academia, industry, and policy.
The conference was officially opened with a warm welcome from Professor Nick Plant, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, alongside the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen. Their opening remarks set the tone for a week filled with academic inspiration, meaningful dialogue, and rich cultural experiences.
Co-chairs of the Organising Committee, Professor Julia Bennell and Dr Sajid Siraj expressed their pride in hosting such a momentous edition of EURO:
It is with immense pleasure and pride that we welcome you to Leeds for the 34th European Conference on Operational Research. We are thrilled to see our campus come alive with the energy, intellect, and diversity of the global OR community. EURO 2025 promises to be more than just a conference it is a celebration of ideas, a platform for discovery, and a hub for connection.
The academic programme featured hundreds of parallel sessions, three plenary talks and twelve keynote speakers from around the world. Plenary talks were delivered by world-renowned experts: Professor Ulrike Leopold-Wildburger (University of Graz, Austria) on Optimisation and Behaviour, Professor David Simchi-Levi (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) on Reinventing Operations Management’s Research and Practice with Data Science, and Professor Kalyan Talluri (Imperial College London) on OR Problems in Automated Pricing.
Session topics ranged from systems thinking and artificial intelligence to humanitarian operations, sustainability, and decision analytics, showcasing the wide-reaching influence of Operational Research. The ‘Making an Impact’ stream focused on showcasing how Operational Research drives real-world change across industries, government, and communities. The stream connected academics and practitioners to explore how OR delivers tangible benefits, from improving public services to supporting data-driven business strategies.
EURO 2025 was as much about connection and culture as it was about research. Delegates were treated to a series of social events reflecting the inclusive ethos of the conference. From the opening reception, featuring a brass band, roaming entertainers and lots of Yorkshire charm, to the relaxed Meet & Mingle network event and the Gala Dinner at the Royal Armouries, the atmosphere was one of celebration and community. The farewell reception showcased live music and introduced delegates to the art of Morris dancing, also offering time to reflect on a successful and inspiring few days.
