Introduction



The theory of optimal stopping is a classic field of probability whose foundations were laid more than fifty years ago. Advances in probability theory together with modern applications have brought about a renaissance in the theory and practice of optimal stopping. Remarkable progress has been made in recent years, leading to new perspectives both in theoretical approaches and applications. 

Due to the complexity, breadth and number of applications of the theory of optimal stopping and since there has never been a large-scale world meeting devoted to the state of the art in this field, the purpose of this initiative is to put together an ambitious, two week, high-profile international programme consisting of: 

  • a School of introductory lectures given by leading experts lasting one week and aimed at introducing postgraduate students, young researchers, and other interested scholars to the field of Optimal Stopping; 

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  • a Symposium held in the second week aimed at bringing all participants to the frontiers of research in Optimal Stopping and stimulating further research in both theory and applications, by a mixture of talks and small-scale interaction. 
As one of the many highlights of the meeting, two of the founding fathers of this field, J. Laurie Snell and Eugene B. Dynkin, will give honorary distinguished lectures in the School and Symposium on their historical contribution to this field.