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The Darden Ph.D. Program

Ph.D. - Data Analytics and Decision Sciences

Data Analytics and Decision Sciences

Research in Data Analytics and Decision Sciences is focused on mathematical methodology with business applications and includes:

  • Dynamic programming
  • Game theory
  • Mechanism design
  • Machine learning
  • Optimization
  • Search theory
  • Wisdom of crowds
  • Forecasting
  • Decision analysis
  • Pricing and revenue management
  • Behavioral models of human decision making

Students will be required to take a few core courses but also have the freedom to choose from the many Ph.D. courses that the UVA campus offers, and are encouraged to follow their interests and expand their knowledge. Whatever portfolio they choose, students are expected to be strong in several areas of fundamental theory (e.g., real analysis, probability theory, micro-economics, game theory, decision theory, optimization) as well as methods (e.g., statistics, econometrics, experimental design, coding), so that they can begin exploring novel research questions by the middle of their second year. There is no requirement for prior experience in business applications. Students with a strong quantitative background can be taught all the necessary skills for success in academic research.

 

Data Analytics and Decision Sciences

Michael Albert

Michael Albert

Assistant Professor of Business Administration; Areas of Expertise: Mechanism Design, Machine Learning

saed

Saed Alizamir

Associate Professor of Business Administration

JA

Joe Andrasko

Professor of Practice

Manel Baucells

Manel Baucells

David M. LaCross Associate Professor of Business Administration; Areas of Expertise: Prescriptive and Descriptive Decision Theory, Behavioral Models of Human Decision Making

Max Biggs

Max Biggs

Assistant Professor of Business Administration; Areas of Expertise: Data-driven Optimization, Machine Learning, Pricing

RC

Robert L. Carraway

Yiorgos Allayannis Distinguished Associate Professor of Business Administration

AC

Alex Cowan

Academic General Faculty

Rupert Freeman

Rupert Freeman

Assistant Professor of Business Administration; Areas of Expertise: Computational Social Choice, Fair Division, Resource Allocation, Prediction Mechanisms

yael

Yael Grushka-Cockayne

Professor of Business Administration; Areas of Expertise: Forecasting, Forecast Aggregation, Project Management, Data Science for Business

Dana Popescu

Dana Popescu

Associate Professor of Business Administration; Areas of Expertise: Pricing Optimization, Revenue Management and Demand Forecasting

Saša Zorc

Saša Zorc

Assistant Professor of Business Administration; Areas of Expertise: Dynamic Models of Decision-Making Over Time, Search Theory, Game Theory, Incentive Design, Healthcare Applications