UK plans national academy for mathematics

Academics are being invited to help shape a new UK national mathematics academy announced by the Westminster government.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology wants the UK to become a “maths superpower” and take the lead in transformative technology, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

Experts from across academia, as well as education, industry and the public sector, are invited to submit evidence on the future of the National Academy of Mathematical Sciences, which aims to upskill the country’s workforce and grow the economy.

Andrew Griffith, the science minister, said maths was “at the root of so much of our lives and our understanding of the universe”.

“Establishing a national academy is an exciting opportunity for the brightest minds in the UK to come together and shape the future of their sector, and in turn helping to skill up our country in a vital subject and growing our economy,” he said.

Academics can express their views on the academy’s remit through an online form, as well as through a series of round tables organised by DSIT, by 25 February.

Work will then begin on identifying delivery partners to build the academy, which could receive up to £6 million of government funding over the next three years, alongside charitable donations and potential private sector funding.

The academy is seeking to ape respected institutions in other fields such as the Royal Society, or the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Initial objectives of the academy include helping the sector speak with one voice on enhancing mathematical sciences, promoting maths’ role in growing the economy, coordinating views and evidence from across the maths community, and developing strategies to boost maths skills and qualifications.

Feedback from the call for evidence will be used to develop a final set of objectives and functions that a new national academy would be expected to deliver.

It builds on recent recommendations into the UK’s research landscape by Sir Paul Nurse, director of the Francis Crick Institute, as well as those by Philip Bond, professor of creativity and innovation at University of Manchester.

Professor Bond welcomed the announcement, and said the existing national academies provide essential support for the academic communities that they serve and form key bridges to industry and government.

“Their provision of expert advice and evidence-based policy recommendations provides enormous positive impact contributing to the well-being of the nation,” he said.

“I expect the new academy to make a further significant contribution by enabling our mathematical scientists to foster communities more effectively, ensuring that the mathematical sciences flourish in the UK and by supporting academia, industry and government in working together to create a vibrant future for all.”

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com