In the last 40 or so years, a huge amount of research has explored the solving of continuous optimisation problems numerically via algorithms and computers. In this talk, I will take a step back and consider the general aims, research questions, and methods in this area and how current research aligns with these general directions. This leads naturally into a discussion of several aspects of algorithmic benchmarking, which has become a significant focus in some of the recent literature. I will offer some suggestions for significant research opportunities and hopefully open some points of discussion regarding optimisation research, both good and bad.

Marcus Gallagher is an Associate Professor in the School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at the University of Queensland. His research interests include evolutionary computation and metaheuristic optimisation, machine learning, exploratory landscape analysis and benchmarking algorithms.