![Jonathan Thompson](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/8467?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Jonathan Thompson
(he/him)
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Jonathan Thompson
Head of School
Overview
My research interests include graphic theoretic modelling, meta-heuristics (particularly ant systems, genetic algorithms and simulated annealing) and scheduling problems (examination scheduling, sports fixture scheduling and manpower planning).
Research group
Administrative duties
- Head of School
- Year Three Director of Studies
- Chair of School Board
Publication
2025
- Kolitsidou, P. , Thompson, J. E. and Hannam, M. 2025. Impact of antisymmetric contributions to signal multipoles in the measurement of black-hole spins. Physical Review D (particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology) 111 (2) 024050. (10.1103/physrevd.111.024050)
2024
- Thompson, J. 2024. Genetic algorithms and applications. In: Kulkarni, A. and Gandomi, A. eds. Handbook of Formal Optimization. Singapore: Springer. , pp.1-26. (10.1007/978-981-19-8851-6_30-1)
- Thompson, J. 2024. Heuristics: An overview. In: Kulkrani, A. J. and Gandomi, A. H. eds. Handbook of formal optimization. Singapore: Springer. , pp.1149-1177. (10.1007/978-981-97-3820-5_32)
2022
- Hawa, A. , Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. 2022. Exact and approximate methods for the score-constrained packing problem. European Journal of Operational Research 302 (3), pp.847-859. (10.1016/j.ejor.2022.01.028)
- Monique, S. , Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. 2022. A school bus routing heuristic algorithm allowing heterogeneous fleets and bus stop selection. SN Computer Science 4 74. (10.1007/s42979-022-01466-6)
2021
- Kheiri, A. et al., 2021. Constructing operating theatre schedules using partitioned graph colouring techniques. Health Systems 10 (4), pp.286-297. (10.1080/20476965.2020.1796530)
- Sciortino, M. , Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. 2021. A heuristic algorithm for school bus routing with bus stop selection. Presented at: EvoCOP 2021 Seville, Spain Apr 2021. Published in: Zarges, C. and Verel, S. eds. Evolutionary Computation in Combinatorial Optimization. Vol. 12692.Lecture Notes in Computer Science/Theoretical Computer Science and General Issues Springer Verlag. (10.1007/978-3-030-72904-2_13)
2020
- Padungwech, W. , Thompson, J. and Lewis, R. 2020. Effects of update frequencies in a dynamic capacitated arc routing problem. Networks 76 (4), pp.522-538. (10.1002/net.21990)
2018
- Hardy, B. , Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. 2018. Tackling the edge dynamic graph colouring problem with and without future adjacency information. Journal of Heuristics 24 , pp.321-343. (10.1007/s10732-017-9327-z)
- Hawa, A. L. , Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. M. 2018. Heuristics for the score-constrained strip-packing problem. Presented at: COCOA 2018: International Conference on Combinatorial Optimization and Applications Atlanta, GA, USA 15-17 December 2018. Published in: Kim, D. , Uma, R. N. and Zelikovsky, A. eds. Combinatorial Optimization and Applications: 12th International Conference, COCOA 2018, Atlanta, GA, USA, December 15-17, 2018, Proceedings. Vol. 11346.Lecture Notes in Computer Science Springer Verlag. , pp.449. (10.1007/978-3-030-04651-4_30)
2017
- Alrajhi, K. , Thompson, J. and Padungwech, W. 2017. A Heuristic approach for the Dynamic Frequency Assignment problem. In: Chao, F. , Schockaert, S. and Zhang, Q. eds. Advances in Computational Intelligence Systems. Vol. 650, Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing Springer. , pp.91-103. (10.1007/978-3-319-66939-7_8)
2016
- Hardy, B. , Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. M. 2016. Modifying colourings between time-steps to tackle changes in dynamic random graphs. Presented at: EvoCOP 2016: European Conference on Evolutionary Computation in Combinatorial Optimization Porto, Portugal 30 March - 1 April 2016. Published in: Chicano, F. , Hu, B. and Garcia-Sanchez, P. eds. Evolutionary Computation in Combinatorial Optimization: 16th European Conference, EvoCOP 2016, Porto, Portugal, March 30 – April 1, 2016, Proceedings. Vol. 9595.Springer. , pp.186-201. (10.1007/978-3-319-30698-8_13)
- Kheiri, A. et al. 2016. A Sequence-based selection hyper-heuristic: a case study in nurse rostering. Presented at: PATAT 2016: 11th International Conference on the Practice and Theory of Automated Timetabling Udine, Italy 23-26 August 2016. Published in: Burke, E. K. et al., PATAT 2016: Proceedings of the 11th International Conference of the Practice and Theory of Automated Timetabling. , pp.503-505.
- Padungwech, W. , Thompson, J. and Lewis, R. 2016. Investigating edge-reordering procedures in a tabu search algorithm for the capacitated arc routing problem. Presented at: HM 2016: International Workshop on Hybrid Metaheuristics Plymouth, UK 8-10 June 2016. Published in: Blesa, M. J. , Blum, C. and Cangelosi, A. eds. Hybrid Metaheuristics: 10th International Workshop, HM 2016, Plymouth, UK, June 8-10, 2016, Proceedings. Vol. 9668.Lecture Notes in Computer Science Cham: Springer. , pp.62-74. (10.1007/978-3-319-39636-1_5)
2015
- Kamour, A. et al., 2015. Increasing frequency of severe clinical toxicity after use of 2,4-dinitrophenol in the UK: a report from the National Poisons Information Service. Emergency Medicine Journal 32 (5), pp.383-386. (10.1136/emermed-2013-203335)
- Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. 2015. Analysing the effects of solution space connectivity with an effective metaheuristic for the course timetabling problem. European Journal of Operational Research 240 (3), pp.637-648. (10.1016/j.ejor.2014.07.041)
- Rowse, E. L. et al. 2015. Applying set partitioning methods in the construction of operating theatre schedules. Presented at: International Conference on Theory and Practice in Modern Computing 2015 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain 22-24 July 2015.
2012
- Dowsland, K. A. and Thompson, J. 2012. Simulated annealing. In: Rozenberg, G. , Back, T. and Kok, J. N. eds. Handbook of Natural Computing. Springer Reference Springer-Verlag. , pp.1623-1655. (10.1007/978-3-540-92910-9_49)
- Goodman, M. , Dowsland, K. A. and Thompson, J. M. 2012. Hybridising GRASP and network flows in the solution of a medical school scheduling problem. Journal of Scheduling 15 (6), pp.717-731. (10.1007/s10951-012-0289-6)
- Holborn, P. L. , Thompson, J. M. and Lewis, R. 2012. Combining heuristic and exact methods to solve the vehicle routing problem with pickups, deliveries and time windows. Presented at: EvoCOP 2012: 12th European Conference on Evolutionary Computation in Combinatorial Optimization Malaga, Spain 11-13 April 2012. Published in: Hao, J. K. and Middendorf, M. eds. Evolutionary Computation in Combinatorial Optimization: 12th European Conference, EvoCOP 2012, Málaga, Spain, April 11-13, 2012. Proceedings. Vol. 7245.Lecture Notes in Computer Science Springer Verlag. , pp.63-74. (10.1007/978-3-642-29124-1_6)
- Lewis, R. et al. 2012. A wide-ranging computational comparison of high-performance graph colouring algorithms. Computers & Operations Research 39 (9), pp.1933-1950. (10.1016/j.cor.2011.08.010)
- Song, X. et al. 2012. An incomplete m-exchange algorithm for solving the large-scale multi-scenario knapsack problem. Computers & Operations Research 39 (9), pp.1988-2000. (10.1016/j.cor.2011.09.012)
2011
- Lewis, R. et al. 2011. An investigation into two bin packing problems with ordering and orientation implications. European Journal of Operational Research 213 (1), pp.52-65. (10.1016/j.ejor.2011.03.016)
- Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. M. 2011. On the application of graph colouring techniques in round-robin sports scheduling. Computers & Operations Research 38 (1), pp.190-204. (10.1016/j.cor.2010.04.012)
2010
- Song, X. et al. 2010. A worst case analysis of a dynamic programming-based heuristic algorithm for 2D unconstrained guillotine cutting. European Journal of Operational Research 202 (2), pp.368-378. (10.1016/j.ejor.2009.05.047)
2009
- Goodman, M. D. , Dowsland, K. A. and Thompson, J. M. 2009. A GRASP-knapsack hybrid for a nurse-scheduling problem. Journal of Heuristics 15 (4), pp.351-379. (10.1007/s10732-007-9066-7)
2007
- Dowsland, K. A. and Thompson, J. M. 2007. An improved ant colony optimisation heuristic for graph colouring. Discrete applied mathematics 156 (3), pp.313-324. (10.1016/j.dam.2007.03.025)
- Parr, D. and Thompson, J. M. 2007. Solving the multi-objective nurse scheduling problem with a weighted cost function. Annals of Operations Research 155 (1), pp.279-288. (10.1007/s10479-007-0202-4)
- Staggemeier, A. et al., 2007. Improving our knowledge of metaheuristic approaches for cell suppression problems. Presented at: UNECE/Eurostat Work Session on Statistical Data Confidentiality Manchester, UK 17-19 December 2007. Proceedings of the Eurostat Conference on Statistical Data Confidentiality. Titchford: Eurostat(10.2901/Eurostat.C2007.004)
2005
- Dowsland, K. A. and Thompson, J. M. 2005. Ant colony optimization for the examination scheduling problem. Journal of the Operational Research Society 56 (4), pp.426-438. (10.1057/palgrave.jors.2601830)
2000
- Dowsland, K. A. and Thompson, J. M. 2000. Solving a Nurse Scheduling Problem with Knapsacks, Networks and Tabu Search. Journal of the Operational Research Society 51 (7), pp.825-833. (10.1057/palgrave.jors.2600970)
Articles
- Dowsland, K. A. and Thompson, J. M. 2007. An improved ant colony optimisation heuristic for graph colouring. Discrete applied mathematics 156 (3), pp.313-324. (10.1016/j.dam.2007.03.025)
- Dowsland, K. A. and Thompson, J. M. 2005. Ant colony optimization for the examination scheduling problem. Journal of the Operational Research Society 56 (4), pp.426-438. (10.1057/palgrave.jors.2601830)
- Dowsland, K. A. and Thompson, J. M. 2000. Solving a Nurse Scheduling Problem with Knapsacks, Networks and Tabu Search. Journal of the Operational Research Society 51 (7), pp.825-833. (10.1057/palgrave.jors.2600970)
- Goodman, M. , Dowsland, K. A. and Thompson, J. M. 2012. Hybridising GRASP and network flows in the solution of a medical school scheduling problem. Journal of Scheduling 15 (6), pp.717-731. (10.1007/s10951-012-0289-6)
- Goodman, M. D. , Dowsland, K. A. and Thompson, J. M. 2009. A GRASP-knapsack hybrid for a nurse-scheduling problem. Journal of Heuristics 15 (4), pp.351-379. (10.1007/s10732-007-9066-7)
- Hardy, B. , Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. 2018. Tackling the edge dynamic graph colouring problem with and without future adjacency information. Journal of Heuristics 24 , pp.321-343. (10.1007/s10732-017-9327-z)
- Hawa, A. , Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. 2022. Exact and approximate methods for the score-constrained packing problem. European Journal of Operational Research 302 (3), pp.847-859. (10.1016/j.ejor.2022.01.028)
- Kamour, A. et al., 2015. Increasing frequency of severe clinical toxicity after use of 2,4-dinitrophenol in the UK: a report from the National Poisons Information Service. Emergency Medicine Journal 32 (5), pp.383-386. (10.1136/emermed-2013-203335)
- Kheiri, A. et al., 2021. Constructing operating theatre schedules using partitioned graph colouring techniques. Health Systems 10 (4), pp.286-297. (10.1080/20476965.2020.1796530)
- Kolitsidou, P. , Thompson, J. E. and Hannam, M. 2025. Impact of antisymmetric contributions to signal multipoles in the measurement of black-hole spins. Physical Review D (particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology) 111 (2) 024050. (10.1103/physrevd.111.024050)
- Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. 2015. Analysing the effects of solution space connectivity with an effective metaheuristic for the course timetabling problem. European Journal of Operational Research 240 (3), pp.637-648. (10.1016/j.ejor.2014.07.041)
- Lewis, R. et al. 2011. An investigation into two bin packing problems with ordering and orientation implications. European Journal of Operational Research 213 (1), pp.52-65. (10.1016/j.ejor.2011.03.016)
- Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. M. 2011. On the application of graph colouring techniques in round-robin sports scheduling. Computers & Operations Research 38 (1), pp.190-204. (10.1016/j.cor.2010.04.012)
- Lewis, R. et al. 2012. A wide-ranging computational comparison of high-performance graph colouring algorithms. Computers & Operations Research 39 (9), pp.1933-1950. (10.1016/j.cor.2011.08.010)
- Monique, S. , Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. 2022. A school bus routing heuristic algorithm allowing heterogeneous fleets and bus stop selection. SN Computer Science 4 74. (10.1007/s42979-022-01466-6)
- Padungwech, W. , Thompson, J. and Lewis, R. 2020. Effects of update frequencies in a dynamic capacitated arc routing problem. Networks 76 (4), pp.522-538. (10.1002/net.21990)
- Parr, D. and Thompson, J. M. 2007. Solving the multi-objective nurse scheduling problem with a weighted cost function. Annals of Operations Research 155 (1), pp.279-288. (10.1007/s10479-007-0202-4)
- Song, X. et al. 2010. A worst case analysis of a dynamic programming-based heuristic algorithm for 2D unconstrained guillotine cutting. European Journal of Operational Research 202 (2), pp.368-378. (10.1016/j.ejor.2009.05.047)
- Song, X. et al. 2012. An incomplete m-exchange algorithm for solving the large-scale multi-scenario knapsack problem. Computers & Operations Research 39 (9), pp.1988-2000. (10.1016/j.cor.2011.09.012)
Book sections
- Alrajhi, K. , Thompson, J. and Padungwech, W. 2017. A Heuristic approach for the Dynamic Frequency Assignment problem. In: Chao, F. , Schockaert, S. and Zhang, Q. eds. Advances in Computational Intelligence Systems. Vol. 650, Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing Springer. , pp.91-103. (10.1007/978-3-319-66939-7_8)
- Dowsland, K. A. and Thompson, J. 2012. Simulated annealing. In: Rozenberg, G. , Back, T. and Kok, J. N. eds. Handbook of Natural Computing. Springer Reference Springer-Verlag. , pp.1623-1655. (10.1007/978-3-540-92910-9_49)
- Thompson, J. 2024. Genetic algorithms and applications. In: Kulkarni, A. and Gandomi, A. eds. Handbook of Formal Optimization. Singapore: Springer. , pp.1-26. (10.1007/978-981-19-8851-6_30-1)
- Thompson, J. 2024. Heuristics: An overview. In: Kulkrani, A. J. and Gandomi, A. H. eds. Handbook of formal optimization. Singapore: Springer. , pp.1149-1177. (10.1007/978-981-97-3820-5_32)
Conferences
- Hardy, B. , Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. M. 2016. Modifying colourings between time-steps to tackle changes in dynamic random graphs. Presented at: EvoCOP 2016: European Conference on Evolutionary Computation in Combinatorial Optimization Porto, Portugal 30 March - 1 April 2016. Published in: Chicano, F. , Hu, B. and Garcia-Sanchez, P. eds. Evolutionary Computation in Combinatorial Optimization: 16th European Conference, EvoCOP 2016, Porto, Portugal, March 30 – April 1, 2016, Proceedings. Vol. 9595.Springer. , pp.186-201. (10.1007/978-3-319-30698-8_13)
- Hawa, A. L. , Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. M. 2018. Heuristics for the score-constrained strip-packing problem. Presented at: COCOA 2018: International Conference on Combinatorial Optimization and Applications Atlanta, GA, USA 15-17 December 2018. Published in: Kim, D. , Uma, R. N. and Zelikovsky, A. eds. Combinatorial Optimization and Applications: 12th International Conference, COCOA 2018, Atlanta, GA, USA, December 15-17, 2018, Proceedings. Vol. 11346.Lecture Notes in Computer Science Springer Verlag. , pp.449. (10.1007/978-3-030-04651-4_30)
- Holborn, P. L. , Thompson, J. M. and Lewis, R. 2012. Combining heuristic and exact methods to solve the vehicle routing problem with pickups, deliveries and time windows. Presented at: EvoCOP 2012: 12th European Conference on Evolutionary Computation in Combinatorial Optimization Malaga, Spain 11-13 April 2012. Published in: Hao, J. K. and Middendorf, M. eds. Evolutionary Computation in Combinatorial Optimization: 12th European Conference, EvoCOP 2012, Málaga, Spain, April 11-13, 2012. Proceedings. Vol. 7245.Lecture Notes in Computer Science Springer Verlag. , pp.63-74. (10.1007/978-3-642-29124-1_6)
- Kheiri, A. et al. 2016. A Sequence-based selection hyper-heuristic: a case study in nurse rostering. Presented at: PATAT 2016: 11th International Conference on the Practice and Theory of Automated Timetabling Udine, Italy 23-26 August 2016. Published in: Burke, E. K. et al., PATAT 2016: Proceedings of the 11th International Conference of the Practice and Theory of Automated Timetabling. , pp.503-505.
- Padungwech, W. , Thompson, J. and Lewis, R. 2016. Investigating edge-reordering procedures in a tabu search algorithm for the capacitated arc routing problem. Presented at: HM 2016: International Workshop on Hybrid Metaheuristics Plymouth, UK 8-10 June 2016. Published in: Blesa, M. J. , Blum, C. and Cangelosi, A. eds. Hybrid Metaheuristics: 10th International Workshop, HM 2016, Plymouth, UK, June 8-10, 2016, Proceedings. Vol. 9668.Lecture Notes in Computer Science Cham: Springer. , pp.62-74. (10.1007/978-3-319-39636-1_5)
- Rowse, E. L. et al. 2015. Applying set partitioning methods in the construction of operating theatre schedules. Presented at: International Conference on Theory and Practice in Modern Computing 2015 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain 22-24 July 2015.
- Sciortino, M. , Lewis, R. and Thompson, J. 2021. A heuristic algorithm for school bus routing with bus stop selection. Presented at: EvoCOP 2021 Seville, Spain Apr 2021. Published in: Zarges, C. and Verel, S. eds. Evolutionary Computation in Combinatorial Optimization. Vol. 12692.Lecture Notes in Computer Science/Theoretical Computer Science and General Issues Springer Verlag. (10.1007/978-3-030-72904-2_13)
- Staggemeier, A. et al., 2007. Improving our knowledge of metaheuristic approaches for cell suppression problems. Presented at: UNECE/Eurostat Work Session on Statistical Data Confidentiality Manchester, UK 17-19 December 2007. Proceedings of the Eurostat Conference on Statistical Data Confidentiality. Titchford: Eurostat(10.2901/Eurostat.C2007.004)
Research
External funding since 2000
- Two projects with The Office of National Statistics to investigate the Cell Suppression Problem (2005 and 2006).
Major conference talks since 2004
- 2007 – The Operational Research Society Conference, Edinburgh, UK – The Dynamic Vehicle Routing Problem
- 2006 – The Operational Research Society Conference, Bath, UK – GRASP for the nurse scheduling problem
- 2004 - Combinatorial Optimisation, Lancaster, UK - Ants for graph colouring
Teaching
Undergraduate - Autumn semester
- Year Three - MA3603 Optimisation
Postgraduate - Autumn semester
- MSc - MAT021 Operational Research and Analytics
- MSc - MAT031 Further Operational Research
Postgraduate students
Graduated (since 2000)
- Nick Pugh - Ants for Examination Timetabling (2004)
- David Parr - A comparison of solution methods for the nurse scheduling problem (2004)
- Steven Casey - A comparison of methods for the examination timetabling problem (2005)
- Max Wallace - The Dynamic Vehicle Routing Problem (2007)
- Melissa Goodman - Construction-Based Metaheuristics for Personnel Scheduling problems (2008)
- Vicky Reynish - An Investigation into the University Timetabling Problem (2008)
- Penny Holborn - Optimisation Method for Dynamic Operational Research Problems (2013)
- Lisa Taylor
- Bradley Hardy
- Wasin Padungwech
- Sebastien Pierre
Current
- Maha Alanazi
- Monique Sciortino
Biography
Previous positions
- Lecturer in Statistics and Operational Research, Edinburgh University, 1996-7
- Research Assistant, Swansea University, 1994-6.
Other projects
Dr Jonathan Thompson has also completed projects with several companies including WH Smiths, John Menzies and the International Rugby Board. He is an active researcher in the areas of heuristics, and particularly in timetabling, manpower planning and scheduling. He also studies vehicle routing problems including real time routing. He has been a a member of the organising committee of several Operational Research conferences and has also organised several streams on scheduling and heuristics. He is on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Operational Research and on the Programme Committee for several conferences such as GECCO, PPSN and PATAT.
