*Workshop on Real-world Applications of Continuous and Mixed-integer
Optimization*

to be held as part of the
2018 Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference (GECCO 2018)
Kyoto, JAPAN
July 15-19, 2018
http://gecco-2018.sigevo.org/
Workshop URL: http://www.ifs.tohoku.ac.jp/edge/gecco2018-ws/

*About*

Continuous and mixed-integer optimization are two fields where
evolutionary computation (EC) and related techniques have been
successfully applied in disciplines such as engineering design,
robotics, and bioinformatics.  Real-world continuous and mixed-integer
problems provide unique challenges that cannot be fully replicated by
algebraic and artificial problems, in which characteristics of these
problems could be different across a variety of scientific
fields. Some of these characteristics are expensive function
evaluations, vast design space, multi/many-objective optimization, and
correlated variables, to name a few. Besides optimization, EC/related
techniques also frequently work hand-in-hand with machine learning and
data mining tools to explore trade-offs and infer important knowledge
that would be useful for real-world optimization
processes. Fundamental differences between combinatorial and
continuous/mixed integer optimization lead to different approaches in
the research, algorithmic development, and application of EC/related
techniques. It is important that a special focus is given to
real-world applications in order to synergize the research in
EC/related techniques with real-world applications in both industry
and academia, which, in turn, would also benefit the research in
algorithmic development.

The aim of this workshop is to act as a medium for debate, for
exchanging knowledge and experience, and to encourage collaboration
between researchers and practitioners from a range of disciplines to
discuss the recent challenges and applications of EC/related
techniques for solving real-world continuous and mixed-integer
optimization problems.  The workshop will feature: (1) an invited talk
from a researcher/practitioner with a successful track record on
applications of EC for solving continuous/mixed integer problems, (2)
presentation of submission-based papers, and (3) discussion with the
speakers and audience on present and future challenges. The workshop
encourages submissions from various disciplines to stimulate
multidisciplinary research discussion.

*Scope and topics of interest*

We invite the submission of original, full papers up to 8 pages to be
orally presented at the workshop. Position papers up to 2 pages that
present exploratory topics with preliminary results are also
welcome. Contributions regarding the algorithmic development of
EC/related techniques for continuous/mixed integer optimization with
real-world applications in mind are highly welcomed; for example, how
the need for solving real-world applications affect and contributes to
the process of algorithmic development and design. Implementation
aspects and applications on a specific discipline are also highly
welcome. It is expected that submissions with a focus on application
should also include aspects and knowledge that could be transferred to
general audiences. We welcome submissions from diverse fields of study
and background (e.g. engineering, computer science, science) in order
to encourage multidisciplinary discussion during the workshop.

Within the context of continuous and mixed-integer optimization, the
topics for the paper submission include (but are not limited to):

- Real-world applications in a specific field either in academia or
  industry.

- Algorithmic development for solving real-world applications.

- Design exploration, data mining, machine learning and their synergy
  with EC/related techniques.

- Applications of multi- and many-objective EC/related techniques in
  real-world problems.

- Use of surrogate models and Bayesian optimization for solving
  real-world problems.

- Real-world optimization/design under the presence of uncertainties.

- Known issues and challenges in real-world implementations and how to
  tackle them.

*Important dates*

Submission deadline: March 27th, 2018
Notification of acceptance: April 10th, 2018
Camera-ready submission: April 24th, 2018
Workshop at GECCO 2018: July 15th or 16th, 2018

*Submission guidelines*

The acceptance of the submitted papers will be based on double-blind
peer review. Papers should be submitted in PDF and follow the GECCO
paper format according to the ACM guidelines. All accepted submissions
(including full and position papers) will be presented at the workshop
(20 minutes) and published in GECCO 2018 companion
proceeding. Submissions should be submitted via GECCO 2018 submission
site.


*Workshop organizers*

Akira Oyama (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, University of Tokyo)
Koji Shimoyama (Tohoku University)
Hemant Kumar Singh (University of New South Wales)
Kazuhisa Chiba (University of Electro-Communications)
Pramudita Satria Palar (Tohoku University)

GECCO is sponsored by the Association for Computing Machinery Special
Interest Group on Genetic and Evolutionary Computation (SIGEVO)