The New Generation of OR Enthusiasts: the AIROYoung Experiment

This special issue is dedicated to young researchers in operations research (OR) and to the newest topics of research in this field. To better understand the new generations of OR enthusiasts, what they are working on, and how they are going to feel part of this research community, the issue is dedicated to the 4th AIROYoung Workshop (Bolzano, 5–7 February 2020) and to the Italian AIROYoung chapter experience. AIROYoung is an example of a successful initiative that was born “from young researchers for young researchers”: volunteering PhDs and young OR specialists put their time and energies to create a young community, offer resources, and foster the collaboration between universities and industries. The issue will contain both scientific papers on the newest research topics, and extra contents and interviews to picture the community behind AIROYoung, and why it is important for young OR researchers around the world to feel part of a community.