Overview
The Emerging Techniques Forum (ETF) is entering its tenth
year with fresh momentum and a bold new format. This year’s event features multiple tracks that spotlight
emerging techniques and the latest advancements in campaign analysis and simulation modeling. ETF is more
than a conference. It brings together top minds from government, industry, and academia in a setting
designed to spark collaboration, challenge assumptions, and accelerate breakthroughs in operations research.
ETF is a launchpad for transformative thinking in national security analytics.
Attendees can expect thought-provoking keynote speakers, engaging plenary sessions, and the prestigious
Eugene P. Visco Prize competition that honors outstanding early-career analysts. Whether you are a seasoned
expert or an emerging voice, ETF offers unmatched opportunities to connect, learn, and lead. Be part of the
conversation. Be part of the ETF community.
Agenda Coming Soon!
Abstracts
The ETF committee is now accepting abstracts for technical presentations. Abstracts should
fall under one of the main topics below or a topic of your choosing. Presentations can be classified up to
Secret//NoForn.
Presentation blocks are 45 minutes long. Presenters should aim to conclude after
30-35 minutes to allow time for questions.
All abstracts must be submitted as unclassified and 1,500 or less characters
without images or videos. To submit an abstract, visit the Presenter Center or select the button
above.
Deadline for Abstract Submissions: 21 November
2025
Topic Areas
- Campaign Analysis is a broad discipline that interfaces with diverse fields to deliver
advanced capabilities and enable informed military operations. Campaign analyses can cover different
combinations of the following dimensions: Long Timelines, Large Geographical Areas, Heterogeneous
Missions, Parallel and Sequential Missions, and Multiple Factions. This session welcomes abstracts that
reflect any combination of these dimensions, including emerging techniques, novel modeling approaches,
and interdisciplinary perspectives that help illuminate how campaigns are planned, executed, and
assessed.
- Modeling and Simulation (M&S) is a foundational discipline in military operations
research, offering powerful tools to represent, explore, and predict the behavior of complex systems.
This session welcomes all abstracts related to M&S which enhance analytic rigor and decision support
across defense applications. We also encourage abstracts that introduce or explore new or future
military models, including conceptual or experimental approaches, that expand how M&S can be applied to
emerging challenges, evolving technologies, and next-generation warfighting concepts.
- The Emerging Techniques session highlights novel approaches in
operations research that push the boundaries of traditional analysis. We welcome abstracts that
offer fresh perspectives on national defense challenges, including the applied use of artificial
intelligence and machine learning, advanced data analytics, and hybrid techniques that blend
disciplines or challenge conventional paradigms. This session is designed to showcase cutting-edge
thinking and foster meaningful dialogue around the future of defense analysis.
Hotel Information
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center
5000 Seminary Rd
Alexandria, VA 22311
Click Here to
make your hotel reservation
. If you have any questions regarding the hotel or your
reservation, please
contact Ms. Amanda Buckler at
amanda.buckler@mors.org.
Security
If you hold a U.S. Government security clearance which is held in DISS, please
submit your clearance via DISS to:
MORS SMO Code: 6A286
Meeting: MORS Emerging Techniques Forum
Dates: 2–4 December 2025
Location:
2001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311
Point of Contact: Derek Pelham
Phone: 703-933-9070
E-Mail: derek.pelham@mors.org
Venue
Map of JHU/APL
Address
JHU/APL South Campus, 11101 Johns Hopkins Rd, Building # 201, Laurel, MD 20723
Parking
There is ample parking located in the visitor lot. See map of campus.
Local Food Options
Please note: Lunch will not be provided on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Campus Options:
- JHU/APL Cafeteria - Building 1
- JHU/APL Cafeteria (Small) - Building 200
- Food Trucks - Building 201
- Only available Tuesday and Thursday
- Coffee Bar - Building 201
Off Campus Options:
- Chick Fil A - 10975 Johns Hopkins Rd.
- Starbucks - 10985 Johns Hopkins Rd.
- Facci's - 7530 Montpelier Rd.
- Kloby's - 7500 Montpelier Rd., #116
- Ananda's - 7421 Maple Lawn Blvd.
- La Palapa Too - 7500 Montpelier., #101
- Ginza of Tokyo - 7530 Montpelier Rd., #101
Classified Sessions
In order to attend the classified presentations, send your clearance using the below information: MORS DISS
SMO Code: 6A286 Level: SECRET Visit Dates: 5 – 7 December 2023 POC: Ms. Jennifer Ferat,
jennifer.ferat@mors.org, 240-620-3042 Purpose: Emerging
Techniques Forum
Registration
Register
Payment Options Refund
Policy
The "Invoice Me" option can only be used for the registration fee. This option won't appear if you have
social tickets, CEU courses or tutorials in your cart. If you need assistance registering please contact
Ms. Karla Lee-Riviere,
karla.lee-riviere@mors.org.
| Employer
|
Early (8/23-9/23)
|
Regular (9/24-11/18)
|
Late (11/19-Onsite)
|
| MORS Government Sponsor*
|
Member
|
$450
|
$500
|
$550
|
| MORS Government Sponsor*
|
Non-Member
|
$550
|
$600
|
$650
|
| US Federal Government
|
Member
|
$500
|
$550
|
$600
|
| US Federal Government
|
Non-Member
|
$600
|
$650
|
$700
|
| National Research Partner
|
Member
|
$523
|
$573
|
$623
|
| National Research Partner
|
Non-Member
|
$618
|
$668
|
$718
|
| All Others
|
Member
|
$550
|
$600
|
$650
|
| All Others
|
Non-Member
|
$650
|
$700
|
$750
|
*Government Sponsor organizations include: Center for Army Analysis, HQDA/DCS Program G-8; Marine Corps
Combat Development and Integration; Naval Operations, N81; Secretariat of the Air Force, Studies and
Analysis SAF/SA; and OSD, A&S.
Seeking Student Posters
National Security Networking Event
Are you looking to connect with national security professionals in the National Capital
Region? Do you have an innovative research approach in defense analysis?
Join us for the poster session competition on --, at the MORS ETF Social Hour.
Location: --
The Military Operations Research Society (MORS) Emerging Techniques Forum (ETF) is driven to improve analysis
and understanding throughout the defense community by seeking out novel and leading-edge approaches,
methods, and techniques wherever they are conceived. Students are invited to showcase their novel analysis
methodologies with potential applications for national security analysis. This is a fantastic opportunity to
present your work to experts in the field and contribute to advancements in national security. Current
students do not need to pay ETF conference fees to compete in the poster session. The poster session will be
held 5 PM, during the first 30 minutes of the networking social hour. Awards will be given for outstanding
submissions. Don’t miss your chance to be recognized and make professional connections in the world of
defense analysis!
Please reach out to Ms. Sarah Madonia at sarah.madonia@mors.org
if you are interested in participating.
Visco Prize
Eugene P. Visco 1927-2019
MORS Eugene P. Visco Prize for International Collaboration in Operations Research
Established in 2019, this prize recognizes excellence in research quality, contributions, and presentation.
Early career and Junior Analysts conducting impactful, technically rigorous, and multi-disciplinary research
are highly encouraged to apply!
Visit the Visco Prize
webpage for more information.
Interested in sponsoring the Visco prize winner? Contact kmiller@mors.org
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Kelly Faddis
Managing Director, Accenture Federal Services
Dr. Faddis manages technical teams delivering expertise in artificial intelligence, operationalized
machine learning, applied data science, software development, and advanced analytic solutions for
Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers.
Dr. Faddis began her career in government at the Central Intelligence Agency. She served in the
Directorate of Science & Technology, where she managed the Office of the Chief Scientist Identity
Intelligence Research & Development program; and in the Directorate of Operations, where she led
technology development and deployment for the Counter Terrorism Center Surveillance Group. She is a
recognized subject matter expert in identity and biometrics within the Intelligence Community.
Dr. Faddis obtained her Ph.D. in Systems Engineering at Southern Methodist University. Her work
supporting U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) involved designing an experiment to quantify
the performance degradation of biometric devices that occurs when transitioning from sterile to
tactical environments. Her work culminated in the Tactical Biometric Evaluation, which served as the
foundation for USSOCOM evaluation of tactical identity devices and remains a core element of device
evaluation today.
Mr. Tucker D. Hughes
Deputy Director for Studies and Analysis (DDSA), Joint Staff J-8
Mr. Tucker D. Hughes is the Deputy Director for Studies and Analysis (DDSA) in the Joint Staff’s Force
Structure, Resources and Assessment Directorate (J-8), the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. The DDSA team
conducts studies, analysis, and assessments of the capability, capacity and readiness of the Joint
Force, today and in the future, to support the J-8’s efforts to evaluate defense strategy, plans and
programs for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
He also oversees military net assessments for
the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, routine and ad hoc capability assessments
of the Joint Force and Joint requirements, Senior Leader political-military wargames, and tabletop
exercises. More broadly, as one of the Department’s senior analysts he leads multiple Department-wide
initiatives under the Analytic Working Group umbrella, efforts which focus on enabling better analytic
support to senior leader decisions across the entire Department.
Mr. Harrison Schramm
Co-Founder, Chief Technologist, Attritable Machines, LLC
Mr. Schramm is a retired Navy Commander and professional statistician. A long-standing member of
the MORS community, Harrison has worked in industry, government and academia. His current interest
is in the synthesis of Artificial Intelligence at the edge. Harrison is co-founder and Chief
Technologist of Attritable Machines, LLC.
Mr. Schramm has served as Vice President of MORS, President of the Analytics Society of INFORMS,
and is currently the Editor of the
Phalanx magazine. His awards include the MORS Barchi
Prize, the MORS Thomas Prize, and Aircrew of the Year from the Naval Helicopter
Association.