Spotlight on Communities: Decision Analysis Society

An active association whose recognition is prized, the Decision Analysis Society (DAS) annually gives out four awards.

Frank P. Ramsey Medal
2012 Chair: Detlof von Winterfeldt
The Frank P. Ramsey Medal is the highest award of the DAS. It was created to recognize distinguished contributions to the field of decision analysis. The medal is named in honor of Frank Plumpton Ramsey, a Cambridge University mathematician who was one of the pioneers of decision theory in the 20th century. His 1926 essay "Truth and Probability" (published posthumously in 1931) anticipated many of the developments in mathematical decision theory later made by John von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern, Leonard J. Savage, and others. The Ramsey Medalists are recognized for having made substantial further contributions to that theory and its application to important classes of real decision problems. The Medal is accompanied by a $1,000 honorarium.

Decision Analysis Publication Award
2012 Chair: Jason Merrick
This award is given annually to the best decision analysis article or book published in the second preceding calendar year (i.e., publications appearing in 2010 are considered for the 2012 award). The award is accompanied by a plaque and a $750 honorarium. The intent of the award is to recognize the best publication in "decision analysis, broadly defined." This includes, but is not limited to, theoretical work on decision analysis methodology (including behavioral decision making and nonexpected utility theory), descriptions of applications, and experimental studies.

DAS Practice Award
2012 Chair: Greg Parnell
The DAS Practice Award is given annually to the best decision analysis application, as judged by a panel of Society members. It includes a cash prize of $750 and assistance in getting the work published in a suitable journal such as Decision Analysis or Interfaces if the winner so desires. The intent of this award is to recognize, promote, and publicize good decision analysis practice. Previous publication of the work does not preclude it from consideration for this award.

DAS Student Paper Award
2012 Chairs: Léa Deleris and Jun Zhuang
DAS gives the Student Paper Award annually to the best decision analysis paper by a student author, as judged by a panel of members of the Society. The award is accompanied by a plaque and a $500 honorarium.