»International Symposium on Locational Decisions« at Fraunhofer ITWM

International and Interdisciplinary: ISOLDE 2023

Press Release / June 28, 2023

Together with the Working Group (WG) »Optimization« of the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM organizes the conference ISOLDE 2023, bringing together the operations research community from different parts of the world. Our institute director Prof. Dr. Anita Schöbel is in leading position of the WG »Optimization« and main organizer of the conference. We asked her in an interview about the characteristics of this interdisciplinary conference.

Because of Covid-19, the 2020 and 2021 attempts failed, this year it is finally possible again to hold the »International Symposium on Locational Decisions« (ISOLDE) in presence. What is special about this conference?

Many things are special! First of all, the fact that we can finally meet on site again! And then, of course, there is the internationality: We have 78 speakers from 18 countries with us. Most of them come from Europe, but there are also participants from North and South America and Asia. During the five days, they will not only experience scientific exchange, but also get to know Kaiserslautern and Baden-Baden, the second conference location.

Are the two conference venues a peculiarity of ISOLDE?

Yes, since the third edition – which was already in 1984 – the conference always takes place at two locations. On Wednesday (28.06.2023) we change to Baden-Baden, combined with sightseeing and lots of chances for networking. The interdisciplinarity is also special: mathematics, operations research, economics, engineering and geography are represented.

Many renowned scientists have come to Kaiserslautern. Are there any people you are particularly pleased about?

Oh yes, because we have the two current winners of the »LALA Award« as guests! LALA stands for »Life Time Achievement in Location Science«. The award is presented every three years by the Section on Locational Analysis, a part of the international organization for Operations Research and Analytics INFORMS. The award winners are Prof. Dr. Elena Fernandez from the Department »Statistcs and Operations Research« of the University of Barcelona and (my PhD supervisor) Prof. Horst W. Hamacher from the Department »Mathematics« of the RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau.

© Fraunhofer ITWM
Perfect Site Planning on Site: The Participants of Isolde 2023 in the Atrium of Fraunhofer ITWM. Perfect Site Planning on Site: The Participants of Isolde 2023 in the Atrium of Fraunhofer ITWM

Press Release

»International Symposium on Locational Decisions« at Fraunhofer ITWM

International and Interdisciplinary: ISOLDE 2023

Because of Covid-19, the 2020 and 2021 attempts failed, this year it is finally possible again to hold the »International Symposium on Locational Decisions« (ISOLDE) in presence. What is special about this conference?

Are the two conference venues a peculiarity of ISOLDE?

More Information

Many renowned scientists have come to Kaiserslautern. Are there any people you are particularly pleased about?

Contact Press / Media

Ilka Blauth

Contact Press / Media

Prof. Dr. Anita Schöbel