INFORMS launched its Advocacy Initiative in 2018 "to raise awareness and interest in the application of Operations Research and Analytics, and how that serves public interest policymaking, governmental operations, or returns on research investment in these fields." An OR/MS article and a Resoundingly Human podcast by past president Ramayya Krishnan provide information and reflections on the trajectory of this initiative.
We are now forming an Advocacy Governance Committee (AGC) that I will be chairing through the end of 2021. We are looking for at least four INFORMS members to serve on the Committee, and to work with me, Jeff Cohen (Director of Public Affairs and Marketing), and our consultants at the Signal Group. The AGC will help build on the strong foundation that has been built over the last two years as we look to new opportunities to engage INFORMS members in this important effort.
Specifically, the purpose of the INFORMS Advocacy Governance Committee as stated in the Policy and Procedures (Number 9.5) adopted by the Board is to "...provide strategic guidance, oversight, and counsel for the INFORMS advocacy efforts."
With that background, I'm writing to invite nominations and self-nominations of INFORMS members to the AGC through this form by June 5. We anticipate beginning our work as a Committee in July.
I'm excited for our next steps and hope you'll give strong consideration to joining us in this important initiative. Please feel free to let me or Jeff know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Beril Toktay
Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Outreach
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L. Beril Toktay
Professor of Operations Management and Brady Family Chair
Scheller College of Business
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA
beril.toktay@scheller.gatech.edu------------------------------