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Staff Profile

Professor Stewart Robinson

Dean of Newcastle University Business School

Background

Stewart Robinson, Dean of Newcastle University Business School

Professor of Operational Research


My career started in the management services group of a major UK footwear retailer. I have been working in the field of computer simulation since 1986, initially working as a simulation consultant with AT&T Istel (now Lanner Group) developers of the Witness simulation software. There I supported the use of simulation in companies throughout Europe and the rest of the world, developing and using models, supporting others in their modelling efforts and providing training in simulation software and methodology.


In 1992 I joined the academic staff at Aston Business School in Birmingham teaching in the related fields of operational research, operations management and information management, and researching in computer simulation and modelling. In 1998 I moved to Warwick Business School where I taught in the area of operational research and performed research in simulation and modelling, becoming Professor of Operational Research and Associate Dean Specialist Masters Programmes in 2005. In July 2011 I took up the position of Professor of Management Science at Loughborough University, School of Business and Economics; Associate Dean Research (2012-2015) and Dean (2015-2021). I started my role as Dean of Newcastle University Business School and Professor of Operational Research on 1 July 2022.

I was President of the Operational Research Society 2014-2015 and I am now Chair of the Chartered Association of Business Schools.




Roles and Responsibilities

  • Dean of Newcastle University Business School (since July 2022)
  • Chair of the Chartered Association of Business Schools (since September 2024)
  • Board Member, Winter Simulation Conference (Operational Research Society Rep. - since December 2018)


Qualifications and Certificates

  • BSc Management Science (Operational Research), Lancaster University
  • PhD Management Science, Lancaster University
  • Fellow of the Operational Research Society


Previous Positions

  • Dean, School of Business and Economics, Loughborough University (2015-2021)
  • Professor of Management Science, School of Business and Economics, Loughborough University (2011-2022)
  • Professor of Operational Research, Warwick Business School, Warwick University (2005-2011)


Awards

  • Operational Research Society, President's Medal (2021)
  • Best Review Paper in the European Journal of Operational Research (2018)


Memberships

  • Operational Research Society
Research

Main Expertise


The focus of my research is on the practice of simulation, looking at how people go about developing and using simulation models and investigating how the practice of simulation can be improved. As a result, my interests lie in the methodology and methods employed in simulation studies. I primarily work with the discrete-event simulation approach for business applications, but I also work with system dynamics and agent-based modelling.


Key areas of interest are:

  • Simulation practice
  • Conceptual modelling
  • Output analysis
  • Facilitated modelling with simulation
  • Comparing simulation methods (discrete-event, system dynamics and agent-based)
  • Verification and validation of simulation models
  • The quality of operational research interventions
  • Modelling human decision-making in simulations
  • Agent-based simulation


Publications on Google Scholar 

Teaching

Main Expertise


I have extensive experience of teaching Operational Research and Computer Simulation to undergraduate and postgraduate students, and at the post-experience level (MBA and professionals). My approach is to emphasise the practice of Operational Research, focussing on the methodology (process) and application of techniques (content) to ensure a successful intervention in an organisational problem. This approach is rooted in my experience of applying computer simulation in practice.


Over my career I have led programmes including foundation level, undergraduate, postgraduate and an Executive MBA. My experience has involved me in curriculum development, programme revisions and improvements, and launching new programmes. 

Publications