Dr Christa Searle

Biography

Christa Searle is an assistant professor in operations management and logistics, while being a member of the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight and the Centre for Logistics and Sustainability. Her research interests are within the fields of logistics, sustainability and behaviour modelling with the application of operations research, computer simulation (agent-based) modelling and data analytic techniques. Christa is also involved in the teaching of Business Analytics and Big Data Analytics courses.

Qualifications

• 2019: PhD in Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
• 2019: Professional Education Development of Academics, Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
• 2015: Bachelor’s in Engineering (Industrial Engineering), Stellenbosch University (South Africa)

Background

Prior to joining Heriot-Watt University, Christa received her doctorate in Industrial Engineering at Stellenbosch University in 2019 where she also served as lecturer and researcher. Her teaching experience range from simulation and information systems to data analytics and optimisation. Christa’s research experience includes a wide range of projects within operations research and agent-based simulation modelling, varying from forced migration and epidemiology to sustainability and last-mile logistics.

Awards

2020 – Recognition award: Upcoming Member of the Operations Research Society of South Africa for excellence in operations research practice

2019 – 1st Place: Data for Refugees Challenge Safety and Security category (Collaborative), Characterising the mobile phone use patterns of Refugee hosting provinces in Turkey

2018 – Theodor Stewart Medal: Best Operations Research Masters Thesis in South Africa, Research entitled 'Simulating the movement of forcibly displaced Syrians using agent-based modelling’