Our center

GERAD is a research center bringing together specialists in data and decision sciences, computer scientists, applied mathematicians and mathematical engineers, working to answer complex scientific questions related to digital intelligence.

Fundamental research

Digital intelligence is based on three pillars: descriptive analytics, predictive analytics, and prescriptive analytics (operations research) in which GERAD's strength lies. More specifically, GERAD's scientific programming revolves around four research axes:

1. valuing data for decision-making.
2. decision support in complex systems.
3. decision support made under uncertainty.
4. real-time decision support.

Applications

In addition to theoretical and methodological developments in our four axes, one of the specificities of GERAD is the deployment of such methods in large fields of application which are seven in number:

1. economy and finance.
2. energy, environment, and natural resources.
3. smart infrastructure.
4. engineering.
5. intelligent logistics.
6. marketing.
7. health.

Software tools

In terms of innovation, GERAD also works on the development of software (commercial, open source or free) which are all tools that contribute to different areas, such as optimization based on a principle of column generation (GENCOL software), black box optimization (NOMAD software); or computer-assisted graph theory (AutoGraphiX software).

A collaborative environment

Our four areas of basic research are integrated with each other, as the same mathematical methods our researchers are working on (e.g., convex, and non-convex mathematical programming approaches) are used in several axes. Likewise, our lines of research and fields of application are also integrated in more than one way. On the one hand, an application domain can call for several types of decisions. On the other hand, the resolution of practical problems in one field often induces new research questions which stimulate mathematical developments, which will make it possible to solve other problems (in the same field or in another). GERAD's scientific programming is thus defined so that many researchers contribute to more than one axis and often to several fields of application. This intersection in belonging to the axes naturally ensures a strong integration and coordination of work between the researchers of the group. This results in many joint projects, which often result in co-supervision of students as well as joint publications. These collaborations are encouraged by the scientific animation of the center, such as our series of seminars as well as our communities of practice.

Research chairs

The excellence of GERAD is manifested by many indicators, including the presence of many research chairs:

• Canada Excellence Research Chair in Data Science for Real-Time Decision-Making
• Chair in Supply Chain Operations Planning
• Canada Research Chair in Advanced Digital Primary Health Care
• Canada Research Chair in Supply Chain Analytics
• Canada Research Chair in Integrated Logistics
• Canada Research Chair in Decision Making Under Uncertainty
• Canada Research Chair in Measuring the Impact of Human Activities on Climate Change
• Canada Research Chair in Resilient and Stable Zero-Emission Electric Power Grids
• Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Mineral Resource Development and Optimization Under Uncertainty
• Scale AI Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence for Urban Mobility and Logistics
• Scale AI Chair in Data Science for Retail
• Chair in artificial intelligence for digital, resilient, agile and sustainable supply chains
• Chair in Game Theory and Management
• Chair in Logistics and Transportation
• Desautels Chair in Supply Chain Management and Business Analytics