January 2010

THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 388 January 2010

Society COUNCIL MEETING Many members who are involved in teaching and ex- Meetings 20 November 2009 amining undergraduate math- and Events The future assessment of mathematics will, at some time, ematics research, the teaching have faced issues with degree 2010 of undergraduate mathemat- classification, students with Friday 26 February ics, and how the LMS works failed modules, and the remov- Mary Cartwright with its members were the al of blackboards from lecture Lecture, Durham focus of November’s Council theatres. To support colleagues [page 3] meeting. in HE departments, Council Through the CMS (Council approved a position state- Wednesday 14 April for Mathematical Sciences), the ment drafted by the Education Northern Regional LMS is responding to a consul- Committee, addressing these Meeting, Newcastle tation by HEFCE (the Higher matters, with reference to the Monday 21 June Education Funding Council for relevant subject benchmarks. SW & South Wales England) on the forthcoming It is hoped that this document Regional Meeting Research Excellence Frame- will provide useful ammuni- Cardiff work (REF). The most conten- tion for members in discussions tious part of HEFCE’s proposals within their own institutions, Friday 2 July is the inclusion of ‘impact’ in and for explaining to non- Hardy Lecture the assessment. Council agreed mathematical colleagues some London that CMS should respond by of the distinctive features of Monday 13 September arguing that the definition of the teaching and assessment Midlands Regional ‘impact’ should be broadened, of mathematics degrees. This Meeting, Nottingham in line with Research Council document will be circulated to Friday 19 November definitions, to include academ- Heads of Department soon. Annual General ic and scientific impact, par- One positive outcome of the Meeting and Naylor ticularly since advances in the discussions about the future of Lecture, London mathematical sciences are of- the LMS over the past year has ten exploited by other academ- been the greater interest and ic fields. Council was concerned involvement of members in the about the intrinsic difficulty of affairs of the Society. To build measuring ‘impact’ (not just on this, Council set up a work- in the mathematical sciences), ing group on membership, and CMS will be recommend- which will include non-Council ing a reduction in weighting of members, and act as a cham- ‘impact’ in the final REF results. pion for membership issues. HEFCE’s proposal to move to a Key issues for this group in- single assessment panel for the clude a membership drive and mathematical sciences was wel- improving communications. comed as a positive step. The Society’s website needs

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NEWSLETTER

urgent improvement, and the group will be 1. To enable an incoming President to be are appointed as the Representative of an investigating the sort of information and put forward for election by the member- Institutional Member. functionality which members want from ship to the post of President-Elect in the Further details of the proposed changes the new website. The working group will November elections a year ahead of the will be found on a separate leaflet sent be asking you for your opinions! retirement of his or her predecessor; the with this Newsletter. Council closed by thanking those retir- President-Elect would then serve as a full The proposals will be considered at a ing Officers and members-at-large for their member of Council for the year prior to Special General Meeting to be held at 3:30 service to the Society. Particular thanks election to the office of President. pm on Friday 26 February 2010 at the Mary were expressed to Sir John Ball for his care- 2. To require that the nominations put Cartwright Lecture in the Arthur Holmes ful leadership of the Society through dif- forward by Nominating Committee should Lecture Theatre, University of Durham. ficult times; to Peter Cooper for his tireless be publicised to the membership a month Ivor Goddard and invaluable work as Executive Secretary in advance of the deadline so that members Executive Secretary for the past seven years; and to Martin may put forward any further nominations Smith, who has provided great support to in the knowledge of Nominating Commit- both CMS and Council. tee’s proposals. Elizabeth Winstanley 3. To remove the restriction that Honor- ary Members may not vote on matters of the Society’s business, noting that several CHANGES TO BY-LAWS Honorary Members had previously been Ordinary Members and it was invidious to Council has proposed changes to the By- remove the right of voting from them on laws of the Society. These address four the award of Honorary Membership. matters: 4. To clarify the position of members who

LMS Newsletter General Editor: Dr D.R.J. Chillingworth ([email protected]) Reports Editor: Dr S.A. Huggett ([email protected]) Reviews Editor: Dr C.M. Roney-Dougal ([email protected]) Administrative Editor: S.M. Oakes ([email protected]) Editorial office address: London Mathematical Society, De Morgan House, 57–58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS (t: 020 7637 3686; f: 020 7323 3655; e: [email protected], w: www.lms.ac.uk) Typeset by the London Mathematical Society at De Morgan House; printed by Holbrooks Printers Ltd. Publication dates and deadlines: published monthly, except August. Items and advertisements by the first day of the month prior to publication, or the closest preceding working day. News items and notices in the Newsletter are free to be used elsewhere unless otherwise stated, although attribution is requested when reproducing whole articles. Contributions to the Newsletter are made under a non-exclusive licence; please contact the author for the rights to reproduce. The LMS cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of information in the Newsletter. Views expressed do not necessarily represent the views or policy of the London Mathematical Society. Charity registration number: 252660.

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1. To enable an incoming President to be are appointed as the Representative of an PRIZES DEADLINES put forward for election by the member- Institutional Member. ship to the post of President-Elect in the Further details of the proposed changes Readers are reminded that the deadline for November elections a year ahead of the will be found on a separate leaflet sent receipt of nominations for the 2010 Soci- retirement of his or her predecessor; the with this Newsletter. ety Prizes is Friday 22 January 2010. Prizes President-Elect would then serve as a full The proposals will be considered at a available in 2010 include the De Morgan member of Council for the year prior to Special General Meeting to be held at 3:30 Medal, Senior Berwick Prize, Fröhlich Prize election to the office of President. pm on Friday 26 February 2010 at the Mary and up to four Whitehead Prizes. A nomina- 2. To require that the nominations put Cartwright Lecture in the Arthur Holmes tion form can be downloaded from www. forward by Nominating Committee should Lecture Theatre, University of Durham. lms.ac.uk. For full details of all these prizes be publicised to the membership a month Ivor Goddard please see the Society’s November Newslet- in advance of the deadline so that members Executive Secretary ter (No. 386) or email [email protected]. may put forward any further nominations in the knowledge of Nominating Commit- tee’s proposals. 3. To remove the restriction that Honor- ary Members may not vote on matters of LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY the Society’s business, noting that several Honorary Members had previously been MARY CARTWRIGHT MEETING Ordinary Members and it was invidious to remove the right of voting from them on the award of Honorary Membership. Friday 26 February 2010 4. To clarify the position of members who Arthur Holmes Lecture Theatre, University of Durham

3.30 Opening of the Meeting LMS Newsletter Special General Meeting General Editor: Dr D.R.J. Chillingworth ([email protected]) Ana Achúcarro (Leiden) Reports Editor: Dr S.A. Huggett ([email protected]) Title TBC Reviews Editor: Dr C.M. Roney-Dougal ([email protected]) Administrative Editor: S.M. Oakes ([email protected]) 4.30 Tea Editorial office address: London Mathematical Society, De Morgan House, 57–58 Russell Square, 5.00 Mary Cartwright Lecture London WC1B 4HS (t: 020 7637 3686; f: 020 7323 3655; e: [email protected], w: www.lms.ac.uk) Typeset by the London Mathematical Society at De Morgan House; printed by Holbrooks Printers Ltd. Ruth Gregory (Durham) Fun with extra dimensions Publication dates and deadlines: published monthly, except August. Items and advertisements by the first day of the month prior to publication, or the closest preceding working day. A dinner will be held after the meeting. Contact Isabelle Robinson News items and notices in the Newsletter are free to be used elsewhere unless otherwise stated, ([email protected]) for further information. although attribution is requested when reproducing whole articles. Contributions to the Newsletter are made under a non-exclusive licence; please contact the author for the rights to reproduce. The There are limited funds available to contribute in part to the expenses of LMS cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of information in the Newsletter. Views expressed do not necessarily represent the views or policy of the London Mathematical Society. members of the Society or research students to attend the meeting. Charity registration number: 252660. Contact Duncan Turton ([email protected]) for further information.

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NEWSLETTER

PETER COOPER An appreciation EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Peter Cooper joined the London Mathematical Society as Executive Secretary in 2002, being the first full-time incumbent of the post. For some The London Mathematical Society (LMS) is searching for a new Executive 25 years, Susan Oakes had been the Adminis- Secretary to start in May 2010, or soon thereafter, following the resignation trator of the LMS but, as its responsibilities and of Peter Cooper. interests grew, especially after the purchase of and move to De Morgan House, it became The LMS is the foremost British learned society for mathematics, and is a necessary to have an Executive Secretary with a ‘Civil Servant’ type of responsibility for all, or registered charity. It has over 2,600 members worldwide. It is also a major most of, LMS activities. Peter Cooper was the mathematical publisher. first professional scientific administrator in that position. He built upon the fine work done both The Executive Secretary runs the LMS under the direction of Council and by his predecessor, Ben Garling, who was part- its honorary officers. The Society operates from De Morgan House, 57–58 time only, and by Susan Oakes, the Administra- Russell Square, which it owns. At present there are 19 members of staff tor, with whom he continued to work happily including the Publisher. in tandem for some years until Susan retired. Peter came to the LMS from previous posi- Candidates should have an empathy with the ideals of mathematical tions at the Royal Society and at the Institute research, and develop an understanding of the concerns of the member- of Physics, and thus had a wide experience of the scientific world, of interactions with the ship. They should have excellent presentation skills, and be able to Government, with the Research Councils, with promote the aims of the Society knowledgeably and enthusiastically. Industry, with Europe, and with international Candidates should have experience of successfully managing staff and organisations. He is well-known and respected finances and the ability and experience to take responsibility for the by senior staff in other scientific organizations. Society’s compliance with charity, employment, tax and H&S law. This experience, and the respect of others in similar positions, stood him in very good stead The employment will initially be for a term of three years and subject to and has been of great benefit to the LMS and probation. The salary will be commensurate to the role and is expected to the Mathematics community generally. to be no lower than the professorial range, plus London Allowance. Some of us might ask: ‘What does the Ex- USS membership is available to the successful candidate. ecutive Secretary do?’ Here is an answer. From the time of his appointment Peter Cooper was charged by the Council with managing on its The deadline for applications, which should include a CV and full contact behalf all of the activities in which the LMS details of two referees, is Monday 18 January 2010. Further particulars are was involved; these included [i] the role of the available at www.lms.ac.uk or www.odgers.com/29987. Please apply online, LMS as a leading learned society for mathemat- by email to [email protected] or by post to NFP Response Manager, ics, and its relationships with other UK math- Odgers Berndtson, 11 Hanover Square, London W1S 1JJ quoting reference ematical societies and with the Council for the SCO/29987. Mathematical Sciences; [ii] supervision of De Morgan House, its relations with tenants and Candidates are encouraged to make informal enquiries to our consultants the development of conference activities, [iii] Odgers Berndtson: Samantha Colt (Principal Consultant) on 020 7529 6357. investment of financial reserves, in association with the Honorary Treasurer, and the management of regular ‘routine’ financial affairs,

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PETER COOPER An appreciation Peter Cooper joined the London Mathematical Society as Executive Secretary in 2002, being the first full-time incumbent of the post. For some 25 years, Susan Oakes had been the Adminis- trator of the LMS but, as its responsibilities and interests grew, especially after the purchase of and move to De Morgan House, it became necessary to have an Executive Secretary with a ‘Civil Servant’ type of responsibility for all, or most of, LMS activities. Peter Cooper was the first professional scientific administrator in that position. He built upon the fine work done both by his predecessor, Ben Garling, who was part- time only, and by Susan Oakes, the Administra- tor, with whom he continued to work happily in tandem for some years until Susan retired. Peter came to the LMS from previous posi- including the cycle of planning, budgeting, tions at the Royal Society and at the Institute implementation and monitoring, a large part of Physics, and thus had a wide experience of of the income coming from Publishing, [iv] an the scientific world, of interactions with the oversight of Publishing, but in association with Government, with the Research Councils, with the Publisher, Susan Hezlet, [v] the manage- Industry, with Europe, and with international ment of staff, their conditions of service and organisations. He is well-known and respected pension schemes, [vi] relations with the Inland by senior staff in other scientific organizations. Revenue, the Charity Commission and with the This experience, and the respect of others in Privy Council, [vii] interactions with the Govern- similar positions, stood him in very good stead ment on mathematical teaching [with HEFCE, and has been of great benefit to the LMS and for example, and ACME] and through EPSRC to the Mathematics community generally. (particularly) on research, [viii] international re- Some of us might ask: ‘What does the Ex- lations with, for example, the IMU and overseas ecutive Secretary do?’ Here is an answer. From mathematical societies, and the International the time of his appointment Peter Cooper was Review of Mathematics, [ix] the award of Prizes charged by the Council with managing on its by the LMS and the nomination of candidates behalf all of the activities in which the LMS for international prizes, [x] Mathematics policy was involved; these included [i] the role of the and its promotion, in which he played a very LMS as a leading learned society for mathemat- supportive role. In all of these multifarious ics, and its relationships with other UK math- responsibilities he was a good ‘Civil Servant’, ematical societies and with the Council for the acting with absolute integrity on the instruc- Mathematical Sciences; [ii] supervision of De tions of the President, Officers and Council of Morgan House, its relations with tenants and the Society, but supplying an innovative input the development of conference activities, [iii] when appropriate. Indeed he brought a very investment of financial reserves, in association good professional administrator’s insights into with the Honorary Treasurer, and the man- all this work and he brought new and broader agement of regular ‘routine’ financial affairs, visions to the LMS.

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NEWSLETTER

Two particular changes stand out, how- ditional perspective from our experience of ever: [a] the development of a Conference working with him here in De Morgan House. Suite in De Morgan House; [b] the develop- Peter has been a source of inspiration and ment of a group structure for the staff within guidance to the Society’s staff throughout LMS, with the associated benefit of definite the last seven years. His detailed knowledge career patterns for them. These changes have of the Society’s operations is often astonish- been very beneficial, indeed revolutionary, as ing, and is only outdone by his ability to grasp many recognise. quickly the crux of an issue and find a work- In response to my request for advice, sever- able solution – a true mathematical trait that al Members of Council, Members of the LMS, many of us envy. Even in the most difficult of and Members of Staff have written to me, for circumstances Peter has kept the Society and which I am very grateful, although I empha- its staff functioning – from leaking pipes to size that the writing in this appreciation is my legal issues, Peter has kept us on course. responsibility. Universally there is recognition Peter’s dedication to his job is well known, of the great devotion which Peter has shown responding to emails on an almost 24-hour to the LMS and to its role in the Mathemati- basis. As a manager, Peter’s boundless energy cal world; he has worked hard and effectively and quest for perfection have ensured that from early in the morning until late at night, staff work to their full potential, and he al- always being willing to discuss matters of ways makes time to listen to staff concerns. pressing importance at any time. It was al- He is quick to acknowledge good work and to most as if the LMS and Mathematics had be- develop individuals’ skills by offering new op- come an integral part of his life. Peter’s wife, portunities to those who showed an interest. Moira, has been a tremendous support to him His experience in working in the administra- during his time at the LMS, enabling him to tion of learned societies has helped us all to pursue his work at all hours; she thoroughly navigate the challenges that supporting the deserves our heartfelt thanks. work of the Society entail. It is clear, as many have said to me, that Peter’s notable contributions are many, but Peter Cooper will be sorely missed by Staff an article such as this cannot fail to mention of the Society on a daily basis, by Members his hand in pursuing the bid to HEFCE for the of Council quite regularly and by Members £3.3M More Maths Grads project – a bid that of the Society. His resignation is a tremen- brought the mathematical sciences societies dous blow for the Society and for the Staff together for the benefit of the subject and se- coming, as it did, hard upon resignations cured the position of mathematics alongside of Officers from the Council. Peter Cooper’s physics and chemistry in the eyes of the Fund- departure leaves a gap which we feel with ing Councils. His unique blend of experience great regret. We wish him, and Moira, well and vision have enabled other Society activi- for the future. ties, such as the Council for the Mathemati- Trevor Stuart cal Sciences and the Mathematics Promotion Imperial College London Unit, to become established and flourishing LMS President 2000–02 features on the mathematics policy landscape. Through our contacts outside the Society, it is A Note of Thanks from the Staff clear that the Society’s influence and the pro- file of mathematics have both increased dur- Trevor Stuart’s article gives a welcome oppor- ing Peter’s time at the LMS. tunity for members of LMS staff with whom Peter will be greatly missed at De Morgan Peter Cooper has worked to provide an ad- House and we wish him well for the future.

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ditional perspective from our experience of working with him here in De Morgan House. Peter has been a source of inspiration and guidance to the Society’s staff throughout the last seven years. His detailed knowledge of the Society’s operations is often astonish- ing, and is only outdone by his ability to grasp quickly the crux of an issue and find a work- able solution – a true mathematical trait that many of us envy. Even in the most difficult of circumstances Peter has kept the Society and its staff functioning – from leaking pipes to legal issues, Peter has kept us on course. Peter’s dedication to his job is well known, responding to emails on an almost 24-hour basis. As a manager, Peter’s boundless energy and quest for perfection have ensured that staff work to their full potential, and he always makes time to listen to staff concerns. He is quick to acknowledge good work and to develop individuals’ skills by offering new op- portunities to those who showed an interest. His experience in working in the administra- tion of learned societies has helped us all to navigate the challenges that supporting the work of the Society entail. Peter’s notable contributions are many, but an article such as this cannot fail to mention his hand in pursuing the bid to HEFCE for the £3.3M More Maths Grads project – a bid that brought the mathematical sciences societies together for the benefit of the subject and se- cured the position of mathematics alongside physics and chemistry in the eyes of the Fund- ing Councils. His unique blend of experience and vision have enabled other Society activities, such as the Council for the Mathemati- cal Sciences and the Mathematics Promotion Unit, to become established and flourishing features on the mathematics policy landscape. Through our contacts outside the Society, it is clear that the Society’s influence and the pro- file of mathematics have both increased during Peter’s time at the LMS. Peter will be greatly missed at De Morgan House and we wish him well for the future.

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NEWSLETTER

2009–10 COUNCIL ANNUAL LMS SUBSCRIPTION 2009/10

As a result of the annual elections, membership of the Council is the following: May we remind those who have not yet paid their subscription for 2009/10 that pay- President Professor A.J. Macintyre, FRS, FRSE (Queen Mary, University of London) ments were due on 1 November 2009. The Vice-Presidents Professor K.A. Brown, FRSE (Glasgow) Society reserves the right to discontinue Professor J.P.C. Greenlees (Sheffield) the supply of periodicals and the Newslet- Treasurer Dr W.B. Stewart (Oxford) ter to members whose subscription remains General Secretary Professor J.M.E. Hyland (Cambridge) unpaid by 31 January 2010. Those mem- Programme Secretary Dr S.A. Huggett (Plymouth) bers who already have a Direct Debit set Publications Secretary Professor J.D.S. Jones (Warwick) Education Secretary Professor C.J. Budd (Bath) up will have payment taken on 15 January Members-at-Large Dr J.E. Barrow-Green (Open University) (Librarian) 2010. * Professor A.V. Borovik (Manchester) * Dr D.E. Buck (Imperial College London) Professor S.N. Chandler-Wilde (Reading) (1-year term) Individual members 2009/10 rates: * Professor H.G. Dales (Leeds) Professor S.K. Donaldson, FRS (Imperial College, London) LMS membership subscription: £ US$ Professor A. Laptev (Imperial College London) Ordinary membership 49.00 98.00 Professor G.B. Segal, FRS (Oxford) * Professor U.L. Tillmann, FRS (Oxford) Concessionary rates on Ordinary membership: Professor B.J. Totaro, FRS (Cambridge) – Reciprocity agreement with another mathematical Society + 24.50 49.00 Professor R.A. Wilson (Queen Mary, University of London) * Professor A.J. Wilkie, FRS (Oxford) – Career break or part-time working* 12.50 25.00 * Members continuing the second year of their two-year election in 2008 Associate membership 12.50 25.00 LMS journals and ISAAC NEWTON INSTITUTE FOR MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES publications: Print only Online only* Print & online* £ US$ £ US$ £ US$ The Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical and Planets and Non-Abelian Fundamental Bulletin 51.00 102.00 41.00 82.00 61.00 122.00 Sciences is a national research institute in Cam- Groups in Arithmetic Geometry. The Institute bridge. It aims to bring together mathematical also holds short follow-up events some years Journal 97.00 194.00 78.00 156.00 116.00 232.00 scientists from UK universities and leading ex- after a programme. Proceedings 97.00 194.00 78.00 156.00 116.00 232.00 perts from overseas for concentrated research The Institute invites proposals for research Nonlinearity (except North America) (North America) on specialised topics in all branches of the programmes in any branch of mathematics or mathematical sciences, from pure mathemat- the mathematical sciences. The Scientific Steer- £69.00 £89.00 US$178.00 ics, applied mathematics and statistics, to theo- ing Committee usually meets twice each year to JCM (electronic) Free retical aspects of any discipline. consider proposals for programmes (of 4-week, At any time there are two visitor pro- 4-month or 6-month duration) to run two or European Mathematical Society subscription £22.00 US$44.00 grammes in progress, each with about twenty three years later. Proposals to be considered at scientists in residence. Included within these these meetings should be submitted by 31 Janu- Journal of the European Mathematical Society £68.00 US$136.00 programmes are periods of particularly intense ary or 31 July respectively. Further information (only available if taking an EMS subscription) activity including instructional courses and is also available at www.newton.cam.ac.uk/call- workshops. Eighty-two programmes have now prop.html. Proposals should be sent to Sir David + Reciprocity rates are available to members of certain overseas countries who are not resident in the UK. been completed, the most recent being The Wallace, CBE, FRS, FREng, The Director, Isaac * Concessions are available to members who have returned to full-time education, are on a career break Cardiac Physiome Project. The programmes Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, 20 or in part-time working, or are unemployed or otherwise in hardship and wish to suspend their membership. currently taking place are Dynamics of Discs Clarkson Road, Cambridge CB3 0EH. Contact [email protected] to enquire further.

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2009–10 COUNCIL ANNUAL LMS SUBSCRIPTION 2009/10

As a result of the annual elections, membership of the Council is the following: May we remind those who have not yet Members can pay their subscription by paid their subscription for 2009/10 that pay- UK£ cheque, US$ cheque, direct debit or President Professor A.J. Macintyre, FRS, FRSE (Queen Mary, University of London) ments were due on 1 November 2009. The credit card. It is our preference that mem- Vice-Presidents Professor K.A. Brown, FRSE (Glasgow) Society reserves the right to discontinue bers who have a UK bank account should Professor J.P.C. Greenlees (Sheffield) the supply of periodicals and the Newslet- pay by direct debit. If you have misplaced Treasurer Dr W.B. Stewart (Oxford) ter to members whose subscription remains your subscription form, you can download General Secretary Professor J.M.E. Hyland (Cambridge) unpaid by 31 January 2010. Those mem- a copy from the LMS website (www.lms. Programme Secretary Dr S.A. Huggett (Plymouth) bers who already have a Direct Debit set ac.uk/contact/subscriptions.html) or con- Publications Secretary Professor J.D.S. Jones (Warwick) Education Secretary Professor C.J. Budd (Bath) up will have payment taken on 15 January tact the LMS office (email: membership@ Members-at-Large Dr J.E. Barrow-Green (Open University) (Librarian) 2010. lms.ac.uk; tel: 020 7291 9972/9977). * Professor A.V. Borovik (Manchester) * Dr D.E. Buck (Imperial College London) Professor S.N. Chandler-Wilde (Reading) (1-year term) Individual members 2009/10 rates: * Professor H.G. Dales (Leeds) Professor S.K. Donaldson, FRS (Imperial College, London) LMS membership subscription: £ US$ Professor A. Laptev (Imperial College London) Ordinary membership 49.00 98.00 Professor G.B. Segal, FRS (Oxford) * Professor U.L. Tillmann, FRS (Oxford) Concessionary rates on Ordinary membership: Professor B.J. Totaro, FRS (Cambridge) – Reciprocity agreement with another mathematical Society + 24.50 49.00 Professor R.A. Wilson (Queen Mary, University of London) * Professor A.J. Wilkie, FRS (Oxford) – Career break or part-time working* 12.50 25.00 * Members continuing the second year of their two-year election in 2008 Associate membership 12.50 25.00 LMS journals and ISAAC NEWTON INSTITUTE FOR MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES publications: Print only Online only* Print & online* £ US$ £ US$ £ US$ and Planets and Non-Abelian Fundamental Bulletin 51.00 102.00 41.00 82.00 61.00 122.00 Groups in Arithmetic Geometry. The Institute also holds short follow-up events some years Journal 97.00 194.00 78.00 156.00 116.00 232.00 after a programme. Proceedings 97.00 194.00 78.00 156.00 116.00 232.00 The Institute invites proposals for research Nonlinearity (except North America) (North America) programmes in any branch of mathematics or the mathematical sciences. The Scientific Steer- £69.00 £89.00 US$178.00 ing Committee usually meets twice each year to JCM (electronic) Free consider proposals for programmes (of 4-week, 4-month or 6-month duration) to run two or European Mathematical Society subscription £22.00 US$44.00 three years later. Proposals to be considered at these meetings should be submitted by 31 Janu- Journal of the European Mathematical Society £68.00 US$136.00 ary or 31 July respectively. Further information (only available if taking an EMS subscription) is also available at www.newton.cam.ac.uk/call- prop.html. Proposals should be sent to Sir David + Reciprocity rates are available to members of certain overseas countries who are not resident in the UK. Wallace, CBE, FRS, FREng, The Director, Isaac * Concessions are available to members who have returned to full-time education, are on a career break Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, 20 or in part-time working, or are unemployed or otherwise in hardship and wish to suspend their membership. Clarkson Road, Cambridge CB3 0EH. Contact [email protected] to enquire further.

January10-NL.indd 9 14/12/2009 16:31:15 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER

LMS GRANT SCHEMES

Readers are reminded of the Society’s Schemes to provide grants for the following activities: • Conferences and postgraduate research conferences held in the UK (Schemes 1 and 8) • Visitors to the UK (Scheme 2) • Support of joint research groups (Scheme 3) • Collaborative small grants (Scheme 4) • International short visits with the main focus on Africa (Scheme 5) The next deadline for receipt of applications for the above grant schemes is 31 January 2010 and these will be considered at a meeting in February. Applications should be submitted well in advance of the date of the event for which funding is requested. Nor- 10 mally grants are not made for events which have already happened or where insufficient time has been allowed for processing of the application. For full details of these Schemes please see the Society’s website (www.lms.ac.uk/grants). Queries regarding applications can be ad- dressed to the Programme Secretary, Stephen Huggett (tel: 01752 586869, email: s.huggett@ plymouth.ac.uk) or the Grants Administrator, Sylvia Daly (tel: 020 7291 9971, email: sylvia. [email protected], Wednesday–Friday) who will be pleased to discuss proposals informally with potential applicants and give advice on the submission of an application. Examples of the types of conferences which have been supported in the past year are Algebraic and Arithmetic Geometry of Higher-Dimensional Varieties (Bristol), Vari- ational and Topological Methods and Water Waves (Bath) and Aperiodic Order Workshop (Leicester). The newly introduced grant scheme for postgraduate conferences (Scheme 8) was set up to encourage students to be involved in the Society. In its first year it helped to fund the following conferences: The Postgraduate Group Theory Conference 2009 (Manchester),

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LMS GRANT SCHEMES The 20th Postgraduate Combinatorial Con- ference 2009 (Royal Holloway) and The 3rd Readers are reminded of the Society’s Schemes European Postgraduate Fluid Dynamics Con- to provide grants for the following activities: ference (Nottingham). • Conferences and postgraduate research Under the visitor schemes we have support- conferences held in the UK (Schemes 1 ed visits from countries as far a field as Japan, and 8) Jamaica, Israel and New Zealand (Scheme 2), • Visitors to the UK (Scheme 2) visits to and from Ghana (Scheme 5), and col- • Support of joint research groups (Scheme 3) laborative research between mathematicians • Collaborative small grants (Scheme 4) in Aberdeen and Singapore, and Bath and Ja- • International short visits with the main pan (Scheme 4). focus on Africa (Scheme 5) Information on other grant schemes op- The next deadline for receipt of applications erated by the Society, for education, the for the above grant schemes is 31 January mathematics-computer science interface, and 2010 and these will be considered at a meet- childcare, is also available at www.lms.ac.uk/ ing in February. Applications should be sub- grants. mitted well in advance of the date of the event for which funding is requested. Nor- INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS mally grants are not made for events which 11 have already happened or where insufficient OF MATHEMATICIANS 2010 time has been allowed for processing of the LMS travel grants application. For full details of these Schemes please see The London Mathematical Society has set the Society’s website (www.lms.ac.uk/grants). aside funds to be used for making grants to Queries regarding applications can be ad- support the attendance of UK-based math- dressed to the Programme Secretary, Stephen ematicians at the ICM in Hyderabad from 19 Huggett (tel: 01752 586869, email: s.huggett@ to 27 August 2010 (www.icm2010.org.in). plymouth.ac.uk) or the Grants Administrator, The Society would particularly like to sup- Sylvia Daly (tel: 020 7291 9971, email: sylvia. port those mathematicians at an early stage [email protected], Wednesday–Friday) who will in their career, including postdocs. You do not be pleased to discuss proposals informally need to be an LMS member to apply. with potential applicants and give advice on Those who are eligible to apply to the the submission of an application. Royal Society for an International Travel Examples of the types of conferences Grant (www.royalsociety.org/funding) are which have been supported in the past year first expected to do so. Those who are not are Algebraic and Arithmetic Geometry of eligible for a Royal Society grant, or were un- Higher-Dimensional Varieties (Bristol), Vari- successful in obtaining one, can apply to the ational and Topological Methods and Water London Mathematical Society for a grant to Waves (Bath) and Aperiodic Order Workshop contribute to the costs of attending the ICM. (Leicester). Please contact Isabelle Robinson for an appli- The newly introduced grant scheme for cation form ([email protected], tel. postgraduate conferences (Scheme 8) was set 020 7291 9977) or download one from the up to encourage students to be involved in LMS website (www.lms.ac.uk). Applications the Society. In its first year it helped to fund should be submitted by 19 March 2010 and the following conferences: The Postgraduate applicants will be informed of the outcome Group Theory Conference 2009 (Manchester), by mid-April.

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NEWSLETTER

of Assessment for mathematical sciences – consolidating Pure Mathematics, Applied Cecil King Mathematics and Statistics and Operational Travel Scholarship Research – was felt to be the most meaning- ful combination of subjects given the need The London Mathematical Society annually awards a £5000 Cecil King to decrease the number of Units overall, but the size of the panel itself should be much Travel Scholarship in Mathematics to a young mathematician of outstanding larger than proposed to account for the promise. The Scholarship is awarded to support a period of study or research breadth of these subjects and the need to abroad, typically for a period of three months. read all outputs. To view the response visit www.cms.ac.uk/submissions.html. The award is competitive and based on a written proposal describing the intended programme of study or research abroad and the benefits to Council for the Mathematical Sciences be gained from such a visit. A shortlist of applicants will be selected for review After a three-year period the Council for interview. the Mathematical Sciences undertook a review of its work and structure at a meeting Applicants should normally be nationals of the UK or Republic of Ireland, held on 21 October. The Founder Members either registered for or having recently completed a doctoral degree at a 12 (the LMS, IMA and RSS) and the two recent UK University. members (the Edinburgh Mathematical So- ciety and the Operational Research Society) Applications should be made using the form available on the Society’s were all very pleased with the contribution website (www.lms.ac.uk/activities/cecil_king/index.html) or by contacting that the CMS had delivered, noting that the [email protected]. The closing date for applications is Friday 19 February status of the Council was based on the par- ticipation of the member societies and that 2010. It is expected that interviews will take place in London in late April full engagement from each organisation or early May. was crucial to forming well-rounded policy responses. It was observed that the Coun- The Cecil King Travel Scholarship was established in 2001 by the Cecil cil’s strength lay in policy submissions relat- King Memorial Fund. The award is made by the Council of the London ing to Higher Education issues and it agreed to concentrate its activities here, operating Mathematical Society on the recommendation of the Cecil King Prize as a policy body rather than running activi- Committee, nominated by the Society’s Education Committee. ties itself. Relationship-building with EPSRC had been an important part of CMS work over the last few years, alongside regular MATHEMATICS POLICY ROUND-UP meetings with HEFCE and others, and the list of policy submissions to Research Coun- Research Excellence Framework dividual panels should be allowed to decide cils, Government, Select Committees and In December, the Council for the Math- independently whether or how to use bib- others was considerable. See the website at ematical Sciences (CMS) responded to the liometrics. The response noted that mathe- www.cms.ac.uk. second consultation from the Higher Edu- matical sciences were high-impact subjects, cation Funding Council for England (HEFCE) but argued that the methodology proposed Teacher recruitment exceeds targets – even on the proposed Research Excellence for assessing impact was not robust enough in maths Framework. It welcomed HEFCE’s change in and that the weighting for this portion of The Training and Development Agency for approach to the use of bibliometrics for re- the assessment should be substantially low- Schools has announced that, for the first search assessment and the proposal that in- er than the proposed 25%. A combined Unit time, it has exceeded government targets

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of Assessment for mathematical sciences for teacher training recruitment – even in – consolidating Pure Mathematics, Applied mathematics. Its ‘bumper’ year saw an in- Mathematics and Statistics and Operational crease of 8% over the target set for 2009/10, Research – was felt to be the most meaning- with 2,897 new trainee mathematics teach- ful combination of subjects given the need ers. Overall, recruitment to priority subjects to decrease the number of Units overall, but was up 17%. Graham Holley, Chief Execu- the size of the panel itself should be much tive of the TDA said “In meeting all of our larger than proposed to account for the Initial Teacher Training targets in every sub- breadth of these subjects and the need to ject area and phase for the first time ever, read all outputs. To view the response visit we have reached a significant milestone www.cms.ac.uk/submissions.html. in teacher recruitment. Considering that we have not met the challenging Maths Council for the Mathematical Sciences target alone before, this is a monumental review achievement.” He added that the recession After a three-year period the Council for had played a part in these results. The TDA the Mathematical Sciences undertook a re- has also announced changes to the level of view of its work and structure at a meeting bursaries it will offer trainee teachers from held on 21 October. The Founder Members 2010/11. Trainee mathematics teachers will (the LMS, IMA and RSS) and the two recent continue to receive £9,000 bursaries as will 13 members (the Edinburgh Mathematical So- others training in subjects including chemis- ciety and the Operational Research Society) try and physics. But trainees in subjects such were all very pleased with the contribution as biology, modern languages and music that the CMS had delivered, noting that the will receive only £6,000 and others in sub- status of the Council was based on the par- jects including physical education, history ticipation of the member societies and that and ‘smaller-sized secondary subjects’ will full engagement from each organisation be offered just £4,000. Visit the website at was crucial to forming well-rounded policy www.tda.gov.uk. responses. It was observed that the Coun- cil’s strength lay in policy submissions relat- Applications to study mathematics up ing to Higher Education issues and it agreed The number of students accepted onto to concentrate its activities here, operating university courses to study mathemati- as a policy body rather than running activi- cal sciences (G1 courses) at UK universities ties itself. Relationship-building with EPSRC rose by 7.6% this year, according to pro- had been an important part of CMS work visional figures released by UCAS. A total over the last few years, alongside regular of 6,908 students have accepted places MATHEMATICS POLICY ROUND-UP meetings with HEFCE and others, and the making mathematical sciences the 20th list of policy submissions to Research Coun- most popular choice of subject. Other dividual panels should be allowed to decide cils, Government, Select Committees and subjects which saw significant gains in- independently whether or how to use bib- others was considerable. See the website at cluded nursing (up 20%) and journalism liometrics. The response noted that mathe- www.cms.ac.uk. (up 15.7%), whilst management studies, matical sciences were high-impact subjects, biology and combined languages saw de- but argued that the methodology proposed Teacher recruitment exceeds targets – even creases in acceptance rates. See www.ucas. for assessing impact was not robust enough in maths com/about_us/media_enquiries/media_ and that the weighting for this portion of The Training and Development Agency for releases/2009/2009-10-21. the assessment should be substantially low- Schools has announced that, for the first Caroline Davis er than the proposed 25%. A combined Unit time, it has exceeded government targets Mathematics Policy and Promotion Officer

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January10-NL.indd 15 14/12/2009 16:31:26 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER

LONG-STANDING MEMBERS JOHN HALL

The following is a list of mathematicians who have completed fifty years or more of member- Dr John A.P. Hall, who was elected a mem- ship of the London Mathematical Society, with their date of election. ber of the London Mathematical Society on 17 Mar 1943 Dyson, F.J. 15 Dec 1955 Armitage, J.V. 19 December 1957, died on 24 August 2008, 15 Jun 1944 Williams, A.E. 15 Dec 1955 Butler, M.C.R. aged 90. 25 Jan 1945 Ollerenshaw, K. 19 Jan 1956 Bowers, J.F. John Hall played a leading role in the de- 23 May 1946 Huppert, E.L. 15 Mar 1956 Edmunds, D.E. velopment of computer science education 15 Mar 1956 Horrocks, G. 23 May 1946 Rees, D. in the UK. He helped to provide one of the 16 Jan 1947 Macbeath, A.M. 19 Apr 1956 Penrose, R. 20 Mar 1947 Hayman, W.K. 14 Jun 1956 Perry, R.L. first undergraduate courses in computer 22 May 1947 Ghaffari, A. 14 Jun 1956 Noble, M.E. science in 1965, leading to the installation 19 Jun 1947 Cassels, J.W.S. 14 Jun 1956 Collins, W.D. of the first multi-access computer system in 27 Nov 1947 Hilton, P.J. 15 Nov 1956 Edwards, D.A. education and eventually to the creation of 18 Mar 1948 Isaacs, G.L. 14 Mar 1957 Dunnage, J.E.A. the best equipped computer centre in public 14 Mar 1957 Brown, R. 18 Mar 1948 Reade, M.O. sector education. He became assistant direc- 17 Jun 1948 Bateman, P.T. 13 Jun 1957 Brown, A.L. 18 Nov 1948 Mullender, P. 18 Jun 1957 Russell, D.C. tor (academic) at Hatfield Polytechnic (later 13 Dec 1948 Fishel, B. 21 Nov 1957 Wallington, J.E. the University of Hertfordshire) in 1969, and 20 Jan 1949 Borwein, D. 19 Dec 1957 Adamson, I.T.A.C. sat on Hertfordshire County Council Educa- 17 Mar 1949 Kilmister, C.W. 19 Dec 1957 Divinsky, N.J. 16 tion Committee for many years, facilitating 19 Jan 1950 Shepherdson, J.C. 19 Dec 1957 Everitt, W.N. the development of teacher education, the 16 Feb 1950 Lehner, J. 19 Dec 1957 Longdon, L.W. study of astronomy and the introduction of 23 Mar 1950 Ponting, F.W. 19 Dec 1957 Mohamed, I.J. 14 Dec 1950 Patterson, E.M. 19 Dec 1957 Monk, D. computer education in local schools. John 19 Apr 1951 Chen, D.L.C. 19 Dec 1957 Moran, S., Hall was a significant and early contribu- 17 May 1951 Roth, K.F. 19 Dec 1957 Newman, M.F. tor to the work of the Council for National 14 Jun 1951 Jackson, M. 19 Dec 1957 Schneider, H. Academic Awards (CNAA), in 1979 becom- 16 Jan 1958 Flanders, H. 20 Dec 1951 Herszberg, J. ing its assistant chief officer, responsible 20 Dec 1951 Dowker, Y.N. 20 Feb 1958 Clunie, J.G. 17 Jan 1952 Wilson, D.H. 20 Feb 1958 Kovari, T. for science and mathematics degrees and 15 Feb 1952 Shephard, G.C. 20 Mar 1958 Keedwell, A.D. courses across the institutions within the 20 Mar 1952 Bonsall, F.F. 20 Mar 1958 Wallace, D.A.R. CNAA remit. After retirement in 1992, he 20 Mar 1952 Swinnerton-Dyer, H.P.F. 17 Apr 1958 Macdonald, I.G. was awarded an honorary doctorate. 20 Nov 1952 Knight, A.J. 15 May 1958 Foster, D.M.E. © The Times, London 08/10/2008 18 Dec 1952 Reeve, J.E. 19 Jun 1958 Green, J.A. 18 Jun 1953 Rayner, M.E. 20 Nov 1958 Rigby, J.F. 18 Jun 1953 Marstrand, J.M. 17 Dec 1958 De Barra, G. 17 Dec 1953 Ringrose, J.R. 18 Dec 1958 Birch, B.J. SHAUN WYLIE 17 Dec 1953 Samet, P.A. 18 Dec 1958 Hallett, J.T. 21 Jan 1954 Zeeman, E.C. 18 Dec 1958 Higgins, P.J. Shaun Wylie, born on 17 January 1913 in 18 Feb 1954 Cohen, D.E. 18 Dec 1958 McLeod, J.B. Oxford, became an outstandingly effec- 18 Feb 1954 James, I.M. 18 Dec 1958 Miller, J.B. tive Cambridge don, and subsequent code 17 Jun 1954 Taylor, S.J. 15 Jan 1959 Blackburn, N. 25 Nov 1954 Amson, J.C. 19 Mar 1959 Wort, R. breaker at Bletchley Park. He was recruited 25 Nov 1954 Halberstam, H. 16 Apr 1959 Burgess, D.A. to Bletchley Park by Alan Turing in Feb- 16 Dec 1954 Preston, G.B. 16 Apr 1959 Manogue, J.F. ruary 1941 and worked there in Turing’s 27 Jan 1955 Atiyah, M.F. 21 May 1959 Ingram, G. section, Hut 8. He was one of the great suc- 24 Feb 1955 Rayner, F.J. 18 Jun 1959 Carter, R.W. cesses in working on the Germany navy’s 24 Mar 1955 Farahat, H.K. 17 Dec 1959 Eames, W.P. 12 May 1955 Murdoch, B.H. 17 Dec 1959 Hoskins, R.F. Enigma encryption devices, and became 12 May 1955 Wall, G.E. 17 Dec 1959 Porteous, I.R. head of the crib section. Wylie later stated 12 May 1955 Harrop, R. 17 Dec 1959 West, A. that “The breaking of the Enigma machine

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LONG-STANDING MEMBERS JOHN HALL ciphers is invariably cited as the outstanding achievement of the BP code breakers. The following is a list of mathematicians who have completed fifty years or more of member- Dr John A.P. Hall, who was elected a mem- But the breaking of the German enciphered ship of the London Mathematical Society, with their date of election. ber of the London Mathematical Society on teleprinter traffic was far greater.” 15 Dec 1955 Armitage, J.V. 19 December 1957, died on 24 August 2008, After the war, Wylie went to Trinity Hall, 15 Dec 1955 Butler, M.C.R. aged 90. Cambridge, where he was a Fellow. He 19 Jan 1956 Bowers, J.F. John Hall played a leading role in the de- worked with Peter Hilton – with whom he 15 Mar 1956 Edmunds, D.E. velopment of computer science education had worked closely at Bletchley Park – to pro- 15 Mar 1956 Horrocks, G. 19 Apr 1956 Penrose, R. in the UK. He helped to provide one of the duce a massive volume Homology Theory: An 14 Jun 1956 Perry, R.L. first undergraduate courses in computer Introduction to Algebraic Topology (1960) 14 Jun 1956 Noble, M.E. science in 1965, leading to the installation published by Cambridge University Press. 14 Jun 1956 Collins, W.D. of the first multi-access computer system in Later he became chief mathematician at 15 Nov 1956 Edwards, D.A. education and eventually to the creation of GCHQ, the UK signals intelligence organi- 14 Mar 1957 Dunnage, J.E.A. the best equipped computer centre in public sation, another secret enterprise. 14 Mar 1957 Brown, R. 13 Jun 1957 Brown, A.L. sector education. He became assistant direc- After retiring in 1973 he taught at the 18 Jun 1957 Russell, D.C. tor (academic) at Hatfield Polytechnic (later Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge 21 Nov 1957 Wallington, J.E. the University of Hertfordshire) in 1969, and and died on 2 October 2009. His wife 19 Dec 1957 Adamson, I.T.A.C. sat on Hertfordshire County Council Educa- Odette, who also had been a distinguished 19 Dec 1957 Divinsky, N.J. tion Committee for many years, facilitating worker at Bletchley Park, predeceased 17 19 Dec 1957 Everitt, W.N. the development of teacher education, the him. 19 Dec 1957 Longdon, L.W. 19 Dec 1957 Mohamed, I.J. study of astronomy and the introduction of Peter Hilton 19 Dec 1957 Monk, D. computer education in local schools. John Professor Emeritus 19 Dec 1957 Moran, S., Hall was a significant and early contribu- SUNY Binghamton, Binghamton, NY 19 Dec 1957 Newman, M.F. tor to the work of the Council for National 19 Dec 1957 Schneider, H. Academic Awards (CNAA), in 1979 becom- 16 Jan 1958 Flanders, H. ing its assistant chief officer, responsible 20 Feb 1958 Clunie, J.G. LONDON TAUGHT COURSE 20 Feb 1958 Kovari, T. for science and mathematics degrees and CENTRE 20 Mar 1958 Keedwell, A.D. courses across the institutions within the 20 Mar 1958 Wallace, D.A.R. CNAA remit. After retirement in 1992, he The London Taught Course Centre (LTCC) 17 Apr 1958 Macdonald, I.G. was awarded an honorary doctorate. offers a programme of taught courses 15 May 1958 Foster, D.M.E. © The Times, London 08/10/2008 to foster the training of doctoral re- 19 Jun 1958 Green, J.A. search students in the Mathematical 20 Nov 1958 Rigby, J.F. 17 Dec 1958 De Barra, G. Sciences which run every Monday dur- 18 Dec 1958 Birch, B.J. SHAUN WYLIE ing term-time, as well as short intensive 18 Dec 1958 Hallett, J.T. courses during the summer. The courses 18 Dec 1958 Higgins, P.J. Shaun Wylie, born on 17 January 1913 in are open to PhD students in the UK and 18 Dec 1958 McLeod, J.B. Oxford, became an outstandingly effec- beyond and cover the areas of Statistics, 18 Dec 1958 Miller, J.B. 15 Jan 1959 Blackburn, N. tive Cambridge don, and subsequent code Applied and Pure Mathematics and are 19 Mar 1959 Wort, R. breaker at Bletchley Park. He was recruited taught by leading practitioners from the 16 Apr 1959 Burgess, D.A. to Bletchley Park by Alan Turing in Feb- institutions in the LTCC consortium: UCL, 16 Apr 1959 Manogue, J.F. ruary 1941 and worked there in Turing’s Queen Mary, Imperial College, King’s Col- 21 May 1959 Ingram, G. section, Hut 8. He was one of the great suc- lege, LSE, City, Kent and Brunel. 18 Jun 1959 Carter, R.W. cesses in working on the Germany navy’s The courses are free but registration is 17 Dec 1959 Eames, W.P. 17 Dec 1959 Hoskins, R.F. Enigma encryption devices, and became essential. For registration details contact 17 Dec 1959 Porteous, I.R. head of the crib section. Wylie later stated Nisha Jones at [email protected] or visit the 17 Dec 1959 West, A. that “The breaking of the Enigma machine LTCC website at www.ltcc.ac.uk.

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NEWSLETTER

NEWS FROM THE MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES PROGRAMME it was agreed that it was at the same time broad and adventurous enough to provide AT EPSRC an exciting theme for a sandpit. International Review of Mathematical Sciences Centres for Doctoral Training The sandpit was held at the end of July 2010 EPSRC is to fund three Centres for Doctoral 2009 and four multi-disciplinary and multi- EPSRC is organising an International Review Training in the Mathematical Sciences (CDT); institutional projects were funded. of Mathematical Sciences which will take the £13 million investment will support • Knots and evolution – Topological driven place in December 2010. The review will: centres at the Universities of Cambridge, integrase mutagenesis D. Buck (Imperial • assess and compare the quality of the UK Lancaster and Warwick. This funding is in College) and S. Rosser (Glasgow) research base in the Mathematical Sciences addition to the £250 million initiative to • Transgenerational effects and evolution with the rest of the world create 44 training centres across the UK R.A. Johnstone (Cambridge), R. Hoyle (Surrey), • assess the impact of the research base that was announced in December 2008. S. Townley (Exeter) and J Wells (UCL) activities in the Mathematical Sciences The Mathematical Sciences underpin a • Evolution as an info-dynamical system internationally and on other disciplines wide range of other disciplines, applica- R. Belavkin (Middlesex), C. Knight nationally, on wealth creation and quality tions and industry. The CDTs will have close (Manchester), A. Channon (Keele) and of life links to these, leading to a generation of J. Aston (Warwick) • comment on progress since the 2004 Inter- highly employable researchers who will • Multiscale dynamics and gene communities national Review contribute to the long term scientific, tech- A. McKane (Manchester), J. Gough (Bristol), 18 The international panel will be chaired nological and economic health of the UK. R. Goldstein (NIMR) and S. Brown (Oxford) by Professor Margaret H. Wright, New York Each centre will train 40 students over University. The online form for nominations a period of seven years. In addition to un- Contacts for the other international panel members dertaking a challenging and original re- The Mathematical Sciences Programme team will be open from 14 December 2009 until search project at PhD level the students is always happy to hear from you about any 5 February 2010. Heads of Department and will receive a formal programme of taught questions you might have. To make things other stakeholders will be sent a link to the coursework to broaden their skills set and easier, please contact the most suitable person form in due course. The international panel enhance their technical and interdiscipli- to deal with your query. If you are not sure will be chosen from the list of nominees by nary knowledge. whom to contact, we are happy to pass on a UK Steering Committee chaired by Profes- messages or may even be able to answer ques- sor Tim Pedley and including representatives Maths of Life Sandpit tions on behalf of others in some instances. from the LMS (Sir John Ball, FRS), the EMS The Maths of Life project is an initiative (Professor Ken Brown), the ORS (Professor of the Cross-Disciplinary Interfaces and Current Programme responsibilities are: Lyn Thomas), the RSS (Professor Peter Green), Mathematical Sciences programmes, which Head of Programme the IMA (Professor David Abrahams) and the begun in early 2009 as a development of • Mr David Harman. Responsibilities include: IMKTN (Dr Robert Leese). several activities undertaken in previous Programme budget and strategy. The review will take place from 6 to 10 De- years under the heading of ‘New Maths Email: [email protected] cember 2010. It is planned that the panel will for Biology’. The aim of the project was Tel: 01793 444 304 divide and visit a number of host universities to encourage the development of new in- • PA: Catherine Bailey. where other universities and key industry teractions between Mathematics and the Email: [email protected] counterparts will be represented – i.e. a very Life and Social Sciences. The first event of Tel: 01793 444 324 similar format to the 2004 International Re- the project was a Scoping workshop held view. Unfortunately due to logistical reasons in April 2009. During this one-day work- Portfolio Managers not all institutions can be met by the panel. shop, participants were invited to sug- • Dr Mark Bambury. Responsibilities include: There will be a briefing meeting for institu- gest topics for the sandpit that was to be Applied Mathematics, Leadership Fellow- tions to be met by the panel on the 19 May held at a later stage. Together with Oliver ships, Career Acceleration Fellowships. 2010; invitations to this event will be sent out Jensen (Director of the Sandpit), the topic Email: [email protected] in due course. Evolutionary Processes was chosen, since Tel: 01793 444 183

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NEWS FROM THE MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES PROGRAMME it was agreed that it was at the same time • Dr Vivienne Blackstone. Responsibilities in- broad and adventurous enough to provide clude: Statistics, Operational Research and AT EPSRC an exciting theme for a sandpit. Mathematical Physics, TCCs, CDTs and DTAs. Centres for Doctoral Training The sandpit was held at the end of July Email: [email protected] EPSRC is to fund three Centres for Doctoral 2009 and four multi-disciplinary and multi- Tel: 01793 444 066 Training in the Mathematical Sciences (CDT); institutional projects were funded. • Dr Caterina Mora. Responsibilities include: the £13 million investment will support • Knots and evolution – Topological driven Pure Mathematics, Small Grants, Post- centres at the Universities of Cambridge, integrase mutagenesis D. Buck (Imperial Doctoral Fellowships. Email: Caterina.Mora@ Lancaster and Warwick. This funding is in College) and S. Rosser (Glasgow) epsrc.ac.uk. Tel: 01793 444 162 addition to the £250 million initiative to • Transgenerational effects and evolution create 44 training centres across the UK R.A. Johnstone (Cambridge), R. Hoyle (Surrey), Details of all the activities within the Math- that was announced in December 2008. S. Townley (Exeter) and J Wells (UCL) ematical Science Programme can be found on The Mathematical Sciences underpin a • Evolution as an info-dynamical system our programme pages starting here: www. wide range of other disciplines, applica- R. Belavkin (Middlesex), C. Knight epsrc.ac.uk/ResearchFunding/Programmes/ tions and industry. The CDTs will have close (Manchester), A. Channon (Keele) and MathematicalSciences/default.htm. links to these, leading to a generation of J. Aston (Warwick) highly employable researchers who will • Multiscale dynamics and gene communities INTEGRABLE SYSTEMS contribute to the long term scientific, tech- A. McKane (Manchester), J. Gough (Bristol), AND SYMMETRIES nological and economic health of the UK. R. Goldstein (NIMR) and S. Brown (Oxford) 19 Each centre will train 40 students over UK–Japan Winter School 2010 a period of seven years. In addition to un- Contacts dertaking a challenging and original re- The Mathematical Sciences Programme team The UK–Japan Winter Schools have been held search project at PhD level the students is always happy to hear from you about any on different topics almost every year since will receive a formal programme of taught questions you might have. To make things 1999. The aim of the School is to bring togeth- coursework to broaden their skills set and easier, please contact the most suitable person er Japanese and UK scientists, in particular enhance their technical and interdiscipli- to deal with your query. If you are not sure young researchers and postgraduate students, nary knowledge. whom to contact, we are happy to pass on in a relaxing and stimulating atmosphere. The messages or may even be able to answer ques- topic of the next Winter School will be Integra- Maths of Life Sandpit tions on behalf of others in some instances. ble Systems and Symmetries held from 7 to 10 The Maths of Life project is an initiative January 2010 at the University of Manchester. of the Cross-Disciplinary Interfaces and Current Programme responsibilities are: There will be three short courses: Mathematical Sciences programmes, which Head of Programme • Darryl Holm (Imperial College London) begun in early 2009 as a development of • Mr David Harman. Responsibilities include: The shape of water, metamorphosis and several activities undertaken in previous Programme budget and strategy. infinite-dimensional geometric mechanics years under the heading of ‘New Maths Email: [email protected] • Alexander Mikhailov (University of Leeds) for Biology’. The aim of the project was Tel: 01793 444 304 Symmetries and classification of integrable to encourage the development of new in- • PA: Catherine Bailey. nonlinear PDEs teractions between Mathematics and the Email: [email protected] • Alexander Veselov (Loughborough Uni- Life and Social Sciences. The first event of Tel: 01793 444 324 versity) Yang–Baxter maps and discrete the project was a Scoping workshop held integrability in April 2009. During this one-day work- Portfolio Managers There will also be a number of guest lectures shop, participants were invited to sug- • Dr Mark Bambury. Responsibilities include: by others working in the area. More details gest topics for the sandpit that was to be Applied Mathematics, Leadership Fellow- can be found at www.mth.kcl.ac.uk/~berndt/ held at a later stage. Together with Oliver ships, Career Acceleration Fellowships. conferences/UK-Japan10/ws2010home.html. Jensen (Director of the Sandpit), the topic Email: [email protected] The Winter School will be followed by a post- Evolutionary Processes was chosen, since Tel: 01793 444 183 graduate conference on 11 January 2010.

January10-NL.indd 19 14/12/2009 16:31:26 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER

VISIT OF PROFESSOR • Jochen Einbeck (Durham University) Data compression and regression based on local N. BALAKRISHNAN principal curves and manifolds Professor N. Balakrishnan (McMaster Universi- • Tahani Maturi (Durham University) ty, Canada) will be visiting Durham University Nonparametric predictive inference for from 9 to 16 April 2010. Professor Balakrishnan comparison of lifetime data has been actively involved in research in many Further details about the Lecture Day are areas of Statistics, and has made significant available at www.maths.dur.ac.uk/~dma0je/ contributions to, among other topics, Models bala. Everybody is welcome to attend this and Analysis of Medical and Lifetime Data, Life- Lecture Day – if you wish to do so read the Testing and Reliability, Order Statistics, Robust details on the webpage and contact the Inference, (Multivariate) Distribution Theory, organisers with the information requested. Characterization Theory, Inferential Methods, For further details contact Frank Coolen Industrial Statistics, Nonparametric Inference, ([email protected]). This visit is Outliers, Multivariate Analysis, Bayesian and supported by an LMS Scheme 2 grant. Empirical Bayesian Inference, Combinato- rial Applications to Probability and Statistics, GEOMETRY AND Record Values and Processes, Theory of Runs TOPOLOGY 20 and Scans, Waiting Time Problems, Ranked Set Sampling, and Statistics in Finance. DURHAM CONFERENCE Professor Balakrishnan will give the following two research seminars: A conference on Geometry and Topology • Monday 12 April, Edinburgh University: to mark the retirement of John Bolton and Over- and under-dispersed Poisson distribu- Cherry Kearton will take place at Durham tions and processes; for details contact University from 20 to 22 June 2010. The con- Natalia Bochkina ([email protected]) ference speakers are: • Thursday 15 April, Newcastle University: • Jürgen Berndt (London) On some stochastic orderings and related • Martin Guest (Tokyo) characterizations for some discrete and • Elizabeth Hanbury (Durham) continuous distributions; for details contact • Jonathan Hillman (Sydney) Jordan Stoyanov (jordan.stoyanov@newcas- • John Hunton (Leicester) tle.ac.uk) • Robert MacKay (Warwick) On Wednesday 14 April, Professor • Franz Pedit (Tübingen and Amherst) Balakrishnan will give a two-hour lecture, as • Andrew Ranicki (Edinburgh) part of a Lecture Day at Durham University as • Christine Scharlach (Berlin) follows: • Nikolai Vorobjov (Bath) • Narayanaswamy Balakrishnan (McMaster • Luc Vrancken (Valenciennes) University) Permanents, order statistics, • Steve M.J. Wilson (Bristol) outliers and robustness • John C. Wood (Leeds) • Chris Jones (Open University) The Cauchy– The organisers are Michael Farber, Vitaliy Schlömilch transformation, its extensions, Kurlin, John Parker and Dirk Schütz (Durham). and a useful analogue The conference is supported by an LMS Con- • Jordan Stoyanov (Newcastle University) ference grant. Limited support for research Non-linear transformations of random students is available. For more information data: moment determinacy of their see the conference webpage at www.maths. distributions dur.ac.uk/~dma0ds/DGTConference.html.

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• Jochen Einbeck (Durham University) Data compression and regression based on local principal curves and manifolds • Tahani Maturi (Durham University) Nonparametric predictive inference for comparison of lifetime data Further details about the Lecture Day are available at www.maths.dur.ac.uk/~dma0je/ bala. Everybody is welcome to attend this Lecture Day – if you wish to do so read the details on the webpage and contact the organisers with the information requested. For further details contact Frank Coolen ([email protected]). This visit is supported by an LMS Scheme 2 grant. GEOMETRY AND TOPOLOGY DURHAM CONFERENCE 21

A conference on Geometry and Topology to mark the retirement of John Bolton and Cherry Kearton will take place at Durham University from 20 to 22 June 2010. The conference speakers are: • Jürgen Berndt (London) • Martin Guest (Tokyo) • Elizabeth Hanbury (Durham) • Jonathan Hillman (Sydney) • John Hunton (Leicester) • Robert MacKay (Warwick) • Franz Pedit (Tübingen and Amherst) • Andrew Ranicki (Edinburgh) • Christine Scharlach (Berlin) • Nikolai Vorobjov (Bath) • Luc Vrancken (Valenciennes) • Steve M.J. Wilson (Bristol) • John C. Wood (Leeds) The organisers are Michael Farber, Vitaliy Kurlin, John Parker and Dirk Schütz (Durham). The conference is supported by an LMS Con- ference grant. Limited support for research students is available. For more information see the conference webpage at www.maths. dur.ac.uk/~dma0ds/DGTConference.html.

January10-NL.indd 21 14/12/2009 16:31:28 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER

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MATHEMATICS AND THE ARTS The first Conference of the European Society for the Mathematics and the Arts will take place from 19 to 20 July 2010 at the Institut Henri Poincaré, Paris. The four sections of the conference will be: • Static works (paintings, sculpture, architecture) • Cinematic works (videos, films, installations) • Tools in math art (soft- ware, 3D printers) 23 • Education, history and philosophy in and through math art Members of the Scien- tific and Artistic Commit- tee are: François Apéry (Mulhouse), Luc Bénard (Montréal), Claude Bruter (Paris), Jean Constant © Sidney Harris (Santa Fe), Michele Emmer (Rome), Michael Field (Houston), Jos Leys (Anvers), Dmitri place from 7 to 11 June 2010 in Valencia. Kozlov (Moscou) and Konrad Polthier The Invited Lectures will be given by: (Berlin). • Alexandru Aleman (Lund University) The registration deadline is 15 May • Michael Cwikel (Technion Israel Insti- 2010. For further information and registra- tute of Technology) tion visit the website at http://hermay.org/ • Garth Dales (University of Leeds) ESMART or contact C.P. Bruter (bruter@ • Richard Haydon (University of univ-paris12.fr) or Hervé Lehning (lehning@ Cambridge) noos.fr). • Witold Marciszewski (University of Warsaw) FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS • Luigi Rodino (University of Torino) For further information and to register MEETING on line visit the website at www.adeit. An international Functional Analysis uv.es/fav2010. The meeting is a joint ven- Meeting on the occasion of the 80th Birth- ture of the University of Valencia and day of Professor Manuel Valdivia will take Universidad Politécnica of Valencia.

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NEWSLETTER

NEWS FROM THE FENS attended by innovative teachers and math- REVIEWS ematics educators from all over the world: The Part III Mathematics Examination in 44 countries were represented at the last con- The Mathematics of Sex by Stephen Ceci and Cambridge will now result in a degree ti- ference. There will be an additional full social Wendy Williams, Oxford University Press, tle (replacing the Certificate of Advanced programme for accompanying persons. The 2009, 286 pp, £19.99, 978-0-19-538939-5. Study). Cambridge students, who take Part chairman of the Local Organising Committee The debate surrounding the III in their fourth year, will not receive a is Professor Marc Schafer of Rhodes Univer- under-representation of women BA at the end of their third year but will sity. For all conference details email Alan in science and mathematics is a receive a combined BA with MMath on Rogerson ([email protected]), Chairman heated one, and one in which few successful conclusion of Part III. Students of the International Programme Committee. take a neutral standpoint. In 2005 from outside Cambridge, who do Part III as the economist Lawrence Summers a nine-month course, will receive a ‘Mas- LMS SPITALFIELDS DAY provoked widespread outrage by ter of Advanced Studies’. More detailed arguing that the lack of women at Report information is given in the Cambridge the top end of scientific achieve- Reporter for 2008/9 (www.admin.cam. An LMS Spitalfields Day was held at the Isaac ment may be due to “issues of in- ac.uk/reporter/2008-09) Newton Institute, Cambridge, on Friday 30 trinsic aptitude”. The furore over October 2009, as part of the Programme Summers’ remarks, which led to his TURNING DREAMS INTO Non-abelian fundamental groups and arith- resignation as president of Harvard 24 metic geometry. It was organized by the University, illustrates that this sub- REALITY Programme organisers (Minhyong Kim, Flo- ject continues to be a highly contro- The 11th International Conference of the rian Pop, Mohamed Saidi, Peter Schneider versial and sensitive one. In their new book, The Mathematics Education into the 21st Century and John Coates) with the help of Tim and Mathematics of Sex, Stephen Ceci and Wendy Project will take place from 10 to 16 Septem- Vladimir Dokchitser. Williams explore the complex area of women’s ber 2011 at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, The theme of the day was Potential Modu- under-representation in maths-intensive profes- South Africa. The title of the conference is larity, and an audience of about 60 were given sions (including mathematics, physics, computer Turning Dreams into Reality: Transforma- a rare insight into the important progress on science and engineering). tions and Paradigm Shifts in Mathematics these questions over the last 15 years, starting The explanation presented by Summers – that Education. The conference will open with with Wiles’ fundamental work proving the biology (i.e. differences in innate ability) is the an evening welcome reception on Sunday 10 modularity of semi-stable elliptic curves over main cause of the asymmetry between the September and close with lunch on Friday 16 the rational field Q. Excellent lectures were sexes – is not one that can easily be ignored. September. given by Tobias Berger (Cambridge) Modular- There is strong evidence that from infancy The Mathematics Education into the 21st ity of Galois representations, Fred Diamond males are significantly better than females at Century Project has just completed its tenth (King’s College, London) Modularity lifting certain aspects of spatial ability, which some successful international conference in Dres- theorems, Kevin Buzzard (Imperial College, argue is linked to mathematical ability. Boys den, Germany, following conferences in London) Potential modularity of residual also tend to do better than girls at mathemat- Egypt, Jordan, Poland, Australia, Sicily, Czech representations and Jayanta Manoharmayum ics aptitude tests (although girls consistently Republic, Malaysia and the USA. The project (Sheffield) L-functions and applications. outperform boys in the classroom, where fac- was founded in 1986 and is dedicated to the All lectures avoided too heavy techni- tors other than raw aptitude play a role). While planning, writing and disseminating of in- calities, but successfully gave the underlying the average scores of boys and girls in such tests novative ideas and materials in Mathematics, ideas of the deep and difficult proofs in this are similar, the greater variation in boys’ scores Statistics, Science and Computer Education. area. The organizers are extremely grateful means that they are over-represented in the ex- Paper proposals are now invited on all in- to the speakers for their efforts, and to the treme right tail of the distribution, with around novative aspects of mathematics, statistics, LMS for supporting the event, both spiritually twice as many boys as girls among the top 1% science and computer education. The confer- and financially. of scorers. But this male advantage has been ences are renowned for their friendly and John Coates shrinking over recent decades and, moreover, productive working atmosphere. They are University of Cambridge there are large differences in the size of the

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attended by innovative teachers and math- REVIEWS gender gap across different cultures. Ceci and ematics educators from all over the world: Williams point out that if the gender gap were 44 countries were represented at the last con- The Mathematics of Sex by Stephen Ceci and mainly caused by biological factors, we would ference. There will be an additional full social Wendy Williams, Oxford University Press, not expect to see such inconsistencies over time programme for accompanying persons. The 2009, 286 pp, £19.99, 978-0-19-538939-5. and across cultures. chairman of the Local Organising Committee The debate surrounding the Environmental factors, such as is Professor Marc Schafer of Rhodes Univer- under-representation of women cultural influences and discrimina- sity. For all conference details email Alan in science and mathematics is a tion, represent an alternative class Rogerson ([email protected]), Chairman heated one, and one in which few of explanation. One theory is the of the International Programme Committee. take a neutral standpoint. In 2005 so-called ‘high-powered job hy- the economist Lawrence Summers pothesis’, which states that fewer LMS SPITALFIELDS DAY provoked widespread outrage by women than men rise to the top arguing that the lack of women at of their professions because wom- Report the top end of scientific achieve- en are less likely to be willing to An LMS Spitalfields Day was held at the Isaac ment may be due to “issues of in- prioritise their career over family Newton Institute, Cambridge, on Friday 30 trinsic aptitude”. The furore over commitments. The data seem to October 2009, as part of the Programme Summers’ remarks, which led to his support this – in one survey it was Non-abelian fundamental groups and arith- resignation as president of Harvard found that 60% of women would metic geometry. It was organized by the University, illustrates that this sub- prefer an adapted work lifestyle 25 Programme organisers (Minhyong Kim, Flo- ject continues to be a highly contro- allowing them to fit their career rian Pop, Mohamed Saidi, Peter Schneider versial and sensitive one. In their new book, The around childcare or other personal goals, where- and John Coates) with the help of Tim and Mathematics of Sex, Stephen Ceci and Wendy as men are more work-centred. And although Vladimir Dokchitser. Williams explore the complex area of women’s women with children are reported to work more The theme of the day was Potential Modu- under-representation in maths-intensive profes- hours per week than men across both their ca- larity, and an audience of about 60 were given sions (including mathematics, physics, computer reer and domestic duties, they spend less time a rare insight into the important progress on science and engineering). on their career compared to men with children. these questions over the last 15 years, starting The explanation presented by Summers – that This difference in working hours can only serve with Wiles’ fundamental work proving the biology (i.e. differences in innate ability) is the to increase the gender gap in the workplace. modularity of semi-stable elliptic curves over main cause of the asymmetry between the Although they emphasise that the issue the rational field Q. Excellent lectures were sexes – is not one that can easily be ignored. is still very much open to debate, Ceci and given by Tobias Berger (Cambridge) Modular- There is strong evidence that from infancy Williams tentatively conclude that while many ity of Galois representations, Fred Diamond males are significantly better than females at factors contribute to the under-representation (King’s College, London) Modularity lifting certain aspects of spatial ability, which some of women in mathematical professions, the theorems, Kevin Buzzard (Imperial College, argue is linked to mathematical ability. Boys most potent explanation is the ‘personal family- London) Potential modularity of residual also tend to do better than girls at mathemat- oriented choices’ made by women. They also representations and Jayanta Manoharmayum ics aptitude tests (although girls consistently suggest that the gender gap is particularly evi- (Sheffield) L-functions and applications. outperform boys in the classroom, where fac- dent in mathematically-intensive professions be- All lectures avoided too heavy techni- tors other than raw aptitude play a role). While cause of differences between men and women’s calities, but successfully gave the underlying the average scores of boys and girls in such tests interests (with women preferring more ‘people- ideas of the deep and difficult proofs in this are similar, the greater variation in boys’ scores oriented’ careers), as well as the influence that area. The organizers are extremely grateful means that they are over-represented in the ex- girls’ lower scores in mathematics aptitude tests to the speakers for their efforts, and to the treme right tail of the distribution, with around have on university admissions. LMS for supporting the event, both spiritually twice as many boys as girls among the top 1% The Mathematics of Sex provides a thorough and financially. of scorers. But this male advantage has been overview of the substantial body of existing re- John Coates shrinking over recent decades and, moreover, search on this complicated and controversial is- University of Cambridge there are large differences in the size of the sue, although regrettably it focuses only on the

January10-NL.indd 25 14/12/2009 16:31:33 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER

issues surrounding women working in academia crocheted models are used to explain the con- CALENDAR OF EVENTS and not on those in private sector mathemat- cepts of perpendicular and parallel straight lines, ics careers. Nevertheless, the authors succeed which is then used to visualize that the sum of This calendar lists Society meetings and in presenting a wide range of arguments and the angles of a triangle in hyperbolic geometry other events publicised in the Newsletter. balancing up the experimental evidence for actually depends on the lengths of its sides. The Further information can be obtained from the and against each one in a clear and unbiased educational benefit from the tactile experience appropriate LMS Newsletter whose number manner. is very powerful and should be a standard part is given in brackets. A fuller list of meetings Sarah Shepherd of geometry lectures! I thoroughly enjoyed this and events is given on the Society’s website Editor, iSquared magazine chapter. In fact, the essence of using crochet to (www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter/calendar.html). explore otherwise hard to visualize objects is well An extended version of this review appears in the Autumn 2009 issue of iSquared (http://www. maintained throughout the entire book. January 2010 isquaredmagazine.co.uk). The real power of the book, however, lies in 4-8 Stochastic Partial Differential Equations Taimiņa’s skill to bring hyperbolic geometry in Workshop, INI, Cambridge (383) Crocheting Adventures with Hyperbolic the realm of applied mathematics. She discusses Planes by Daina Taimiņa, A.K. Peters, how human experiences in areas as different as 7-10 Integrable Systems and Symmetries Ltd, 2009, 148 pp, £25.50, US$35.00, ISBN art/patterns, buildings/structures, navigation/ Winter School, Manchester (388) 978-1-56881-452-0. stargazing and motion/ma- 11-15 New Topics at the Interface Between Taimiņa’s book is not only a chines influenced the devel- Probability and Communications Workshop, 26 coffee-table book of the high- opment of geometry. People INI, Cambridge (383) est quality, but it is also, first are still interested in and 12 Code Breaking in Everyday Life, Gresham and foremost, a book about use hyperbolic geometry College Public Lecture, Museum of London mathematics. It is refreshing and the breadth of applica- (384) different from coffee-table tions listed in this book is en- 18-19 Feynman Path Integrals and their books about mathematics lightening; not only do they Applications Meeting, Swansea (387) where the actual mathematics come from all branches of is all too often hidden under science, there are also won- a layer of high-quality pho- derful applications in music FEBRUARY 2010 tographs. Using crocheted and art. For example, Daina 6 Undergraduate Mathematics Conference, hyperbolic planes, Taimiņa explains hyperbolic Taimiņa’s crocheted hyperbolic planes inspired in- London (387) geometry in a visual and explorative way. In fact, dustrial designer Radu Comsa to design the Rasta 9 Trains and Boats and Planes, Gresham her crocheted pieces have been photographed Stool (www.raducomsa.ro/furniture/full_rs.html), College Public Lecture, Museum of London in natural settings, reminding us that hyperbolic which is apparently very comfortable. (384) shapes are familiar shapes that appear all around I highly recommend this book because of its 25-28 EUROMATH 2010 Student Conference, us. I found that Taimiņa has done a wonderful unique combination of a historical account of hy- Bad Goisern, Austria (386) job providing a history of hyperbolic geometry, perbolic geometry with the use of crochet as a tool 26 LMS Mary Cartwright Lecture, Durham explaining hyperbolic geometry to a broad audi- for its understanding. Finally, we have a beauti- (388) ence, and presenting the crocheted hyperbolic ful coffee-table book that uses visual delight to planes for tactile explorations, while keeping the emphasise rather than hide serious mathematics. book’s length down at the same time. Readers with little knowledge of geometry or MARCH 2010 The first chapter discusses the notions of posi- mathematics in general may find it hard to under- 3-5 Mixture Estimation and Applications tive and negative curvature and is representative stand everything, but as Bill Thurston writes in his ICMS Workshop, Edinburgh (386) for the rest of the book: several mathematical foreword: “I hope this book gives you pause for 9 Maths and Sport, Gresham College Public concepts are explained both visually and in words, thought and changes your way of thinking about Lecture, Museum of London (384) without becoming too technical. Moreover, the mathematics.” 22-26 Stochastic Networks Workshop, INI, reader is introduced to the crochet instructions Hinke Osinga Cambridge (386) for making his/her own hyperbolic planes. These University of Bristol

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crocheted models are used to explain the con- CALENDAR OF EVENTS APRIL 2010 cepts of perpendicular and parallel straight lines, 6-9 BMC/BAMC 2010, Edinburgh (387) which is then used to visualize that the sum of This calendar lists Society meetings and 6-9 BCME7, Manchester (385) the angles of a triangle in hyperbolic geometry other events publicised in the Newsletter. 6-9 Spatial Network Models for Wireless actually depends on the lengths of its sides. The Further information can be obtained from the educational benefit from the tactile experience appropriate LMS Newsletter whose number Communications, INI, Cambridge (386) is very powerful and should be a standard part is given in brackets. A fuller list of meetings 12-14 Stochastics, Control and Finance of geometry lectures! I thoroughly enjoyed this and events is given on the Society’s website Workshop, Imperial College London (387) chapter. In fact, the essence of using crochet to (www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter/calendar.html). 14 LMS Northern Regional Meeting, explore otherwise hard to visualize objects is well Newcastle maintained throughout the entire book. January 2010 The real power of the book, however, lies in 14 Lecture Day, Durham (388) 4-8 Stochastic Partial Differential Equations Taimiņa’s skill to bring hyperbolic geometry in 19-21 Mathematical Neuroscience Conference, Workshop, INI, Cambridge (383) the realm of applied mathematics. She discusses ICMS, Edinburgh (386) how human experiences in areas as different as 7-10 Integrable Systems and Symmetries Winter School, Manchester (388) art/patterns, buildings/structures, navigation/ MAY 2010 stargazing and motion/ma- 11-15 New Topics at the Interface Between chines influenced the devel- Probability and Communications Workshop, 4 Indra’s Pearls: Geometry and Symmetry, LMS–Gresham College Lecture, London opment of geometry. People INI, Cambridge (383) 27 are still interested in and 12 Code Breaking in Everyday Life, Gresham (388) use hyperbolic geometry College Public Lecture, Museum of London 10-14 Numerical Solution of the Painlevé and the breadth of applica- (384) Equations ICMS Workshop, Edinburgh tions listed in this book is en- 18-19 Feynman Path Integrals and their (386) lightening; not only do they Applications Meeting, Swansea (387) 24-28 Uncertainty Quantification ICMS come from all branches of science, there are also won- Workshop, Edinburgh (386) derful applications in music FEBRUARY 2010 and art. For example, Daina 6 Undergraduate Mathematics Conference, JUNE 2010 Taimiņa’s crocheted hyperbolic planes inspired in- London (387) 7-11 Functional Analysis Meeting, Valencia, dustrial designer Radu Comsa to design the Rasta 9 Trains and Boats and Planes, Gresham Spain (388) Stool (www.raducomsa.ro/furniture/full_rs.html), College Public Lecture, Museum of London 14-18 Hodge-theoretic Reflections on the which is apparently very comfortable. (384) String Landscape ICMS Workshop, Edinburgh I highly recommend this book because of its 25-28 EUROMATH 2010 Student Conference, unique combination of a historical account of hy- Bad Goisern, Austria (386) (386) perbolic geometry with the use of crochet as a tool 26 LMS Mary Cartwright Lecture, Durham 20-22 Geometry and Topology Conference, for its understanding. Finally, we have a beauti- (388) Durham (388) ful coffee-table book that uses visual delight to 21 LMS South-West and South Wales emphasise rather than hide serious mathematics. Readers with little knowledge of geometry or MARCH 2010 Regional Meeting, Cardiff 22-25 Group Representation Theory and mathematics in general may find it hard to under- 3-5 Mixture Estimation and Applications stand everything, but as Bill Thurston writes in his ICMS Workshop, Edinburgh (386) Related Topics Conference, Lausanne, foreword: “I hope this book gives you pause for 9 Maths and Sport, Gresham College Public Switzerland (386) thought and changes your way of thinking about Lecture, Museum of London (384) 22-25 Mathematical Challenges and Model- mathematics.” 22-26 Stochastic Networks Workshop, INI, ling of Hydroelasticity ICMS Workshop, Hinke Osinga Cambridge (386) Edinburgh (386) University of Bristol

January10-NL.indd 27 14/12/2009 16:31:33 J.C. MAXWELL LMS member 1867–1878 Fergus, Greenock

James Clerk Maxwell, MA, FRS LMS Vice-President 1868-69 Honorary Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge Professor of Experimental Physics, University of Cambridge

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