About
Who we are, what we are here to do, and how the collective is organized.
Overview
The Advanced Optimization Collective (AOC) is an academic collective devoted to mathematical optimization: the theory behind it, the methods that make it practical, and its use on real problems.
AOC brings together students interested in optimization, operations research, and the analysis of complex systems. Its work connects mathematical formulation and computational methods with applications across different domains.
Mission
To develop a rigorous understanding of mathematical optimization and apply it to problems where better decisions can be made through mathematical modeling and analysis.
AOC seeks to connect theory, computation, and practice, while making its assumptions, methods, and results clear enough to be examined and extended.
How We Work
Members join through cohorts and collaborate in project teams. Projects are selected around clearly defined questions and developed through problem formulation, model design, computational analysis, and evaluation.
Teams discuss their approaches and findings as the work progresses, then document their assumptions, methods, and results in the project archive.
Founder’s Note
My interest in mathematical optimization grew from a simple question: how can we make better decisions when resources are limited, systems are interconnected, and uncertainty is unavoidable? I also found that it was not always easy to find peers with whom to explore these questions through sustained, collaborative work. I founded AOC to help fill that gap: a space where students can study optimization, formulate meaningful problems, develop computational models, and critically evaluate their results.
Optimization is relevant to challenges well beyond any single field, from supply-chain design and energy networks to healthcare, transportation, and the allocation of public resources. These are complex systems on which businesses and communities depend, and better decisions can make them more efficient, resilient, and responsive to real needs. AOC aims to explore such problems with mathematical rigor, practical curiosity, and a willingness to share what we learn.
As a student-led collective founded in 2026, we are at the beginning of that work. Our ambition is to build a community that turns analytical ideas into thoughtful projects and, over time, contributes to better-informed decisions and better-functioning systems.
Founded in 2026 — Better decisions. More resilient systems.
Sangyoon Kim
- Founder
- President
Cohort 0
Governance & Policies
Constitution & Rules
The formal rules and organizational structure of the collective.
- EnglishPDF
- KoreanPDF
Operating Guidelines
Practical guidance for activities, projects, and internal operations.
- EnglishPDF
- KoreanPDF