Few topics generate more debate than elections. But long before voters head to the polls, important decisions have already been made about how communities are grouped into districts and how representation is structured.

While redistricting is often discussed as a political issue, it's also a fascinating operations research problem – one involving competing objectives and complex constraints such as geography, population, representation, and legal requirements, as well as competing definitions of fairness.

My guest today, Ian Ludden, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, will share how computational methods and OR/MS are helping researchers evaluate district maps and better understand the choices that shape our democracy.

We'll explore questions of fairness, representation, and how data-driven approaches can help us better understand one of the most consequential – and often controversial – processes in American democracy.

Today, we're talking about a topic that sits at the heart of the INFORMS mission: public engagement. While many people think of analytics and operations research as tools used in businesses, universities, or research labs, these disciplines also play an important role in informing public policy, improving government decision-making, and helping communities tackle difficult problems.

Joining me today is someone who has spent his career not only advancing the field, but helping others understand its value and impact. Jim Cochran is a professor at the University of Alabama, an internationally recognized educator, researcher, and advocate for analytics and operations research. He is also the recipient of the 2025 INFORMS Advocacy and Governance Committee Award for Public Engagement.

Earlier this year, we kicked off 2026 with INFORMS President Mark Lewis, talking about his vision for the year ahead.

Now, just after the INFORMS Analytics+ Conference – his first major event as president – we're checking back in to reflect on what we've seen so far, what stood out, and what's still ahead for the INFORMS community.