THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 333 January 2005

Forthcoming COUNCIL DIARY making it a four-year course, 19 November 2004 but not at the cost of reduced Society numbers. Second, to provide Meetings The November Council meet- more time for high-quality ing precedes the AGM and is research, by increasing the 2005 therefore shorter than usual. number and flexibility of fel- Friday 25 February So it was especially unfortu- lowships. Council regards such London nate that the 8 o’clock train initiatives as crucial to main- S. Lauritzen from York was cancelled and taining the excellence of E. Thompson the next train delayed, so that mathematics in the UK. (Mary Cartwright the Diarist missed the first 30 Another change that will Lecture) minutes. He arrived in the mid- affect the funding of mathe- [page 5] dle of discussion about the matics is Full Economic Costing 1 LMS contribution to the pres- (FEC). This is an attempt to end Wednesday 18 May entation that the Council for universities having to subsidise Birmingham Mathematical Sciences (CMS) research, but while desirable Midlands Regional was going to make at a meet- and indeed long sought, the Meeting ing with EPSRC a few days actual implementation later. This matter had been on appears likely to be complex Friday 17 June the agenda at the last Council and overblown. Ironically, this London meeting, and was a follow-up would have a negative impact R. Jozsa to the recommendations of on the time available for (Naylor Lecture) the International Review of research. It was felt that the Mathematics (IRM). The needs of mathematics were Friday 8 July Review had been conducted by once again being dominated York CMS (at EPSRC's request) and by those of the big sciences. Northern Regional would, we hoped, be used to Mathematics is very much at a Meeting justify more funding for math- disadvantage and even when ematics. To the disappoint- the potential is there, it is Monday 5 September ment of the Council, the initial often overlooked. Small isolat- Bristol EPSRC Action Plan failed to ed departments make a vital South West & South address many of the pressing contribution to the health of Wales Regional problems identified in the IRM mathematics in regions Meeting report. The LMS draft high- throughout the UK, but are at lighted a number of points a real disadvantage in apply- Friday 18 November raised in the report, and pro- ing for large grants. London posed concentrating on two Acutely aware of the con- Annual General specific initiatives. First, to nection with the preceding Meeting ensure the competitiveness of discussions, Council then the UK PhD in Mathematics by turned to a report of yet THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 333 January 2005

another Mathematics Department in trou- The next item of business was an Interim provide information and not to make any tine matters. One item that will be of inter- ble and found it could do little to help. Report arising from the Framework Study recommendations. The report began by est to members was that Council has agreed The Treasurer's annual report contained Initiative. Since the setting up of a joint outlining the history of the two Societies to allow the (anonymised) results of its no dramatic surprises but the accounts were IMA and LMS Working Group a few years and their principal functions, before going Single Transferable Vote elections to be healthier than had been feared, and the ago, the two Societies have enjoyed close on to describe various models. It provoked a used for research purposes. In theory, this publishing results were very encouraging. and harmonious relations, cooperating lengthy and thoughtful discussion, with will enable anyone to check that the proce- This is good news for the Society's activities effectively in educational and other matters some of the problems mathematics is cur- dure has been carried out correctly. Details which rely very much on the income that of mutual interest. The success of the col- rently encountering very much in mind. It will be announced in due course. publishing generates. The efforts of the laboration and recognition of common became clear that considerable reflection The Council wishes to record its thanks to staff in achieving this satisfactory position interests in an increasingly difficult environ- on the report would be needed, as well as Maurice Dodson, and his predecessor as during a difficult period were singled out ment led to a proposal that the relationship some more information. Council agreed to Diarist, Sarah Rees, for their valuable contri- for well-deserved praise. between the two societies be reviewed fun- return to the matter at its next meeting. bution to making the deliberations of The LMS is invited to make nominations to damentally. The IMA and LMS Councils The meeting closed with a series of Council more accessible to members. a number of bodies, including the RAE panels. agreed to this proposal and established the reports from various Officers and Norman Biggs At this meeting names were proposed for the Framework Study Initiative, in which a Committees, followed by an exodus to the EPSRC Strategic Advisory Team, as well as the group of people from each Society investi- Chemistry Auditorium, UCL, where the busi- TREASURER’S REPORT high-level panels, TOP and UP. The Society is gated how the current relationship ness of the AGM was efficiently conducted. also the adhering body to the International between the two societies might develop. Prizes were awarded and then we heard TO THE AGM 2004 2 Mathematical Union (IMU) for the UK, and as An Interim Report had been produced, set- two fascinating lectures on mathematical In the financial year 1 September 2003 to 3 such it is invited to make nominations to its ting out the various ways that this develop- physics. David Olive spoke first on increasing 31 August 2004, the Fixed Assets of the many committees. We were asked for nomi- ment might take place within the con- synergy (or 'connectivity' in EPSRC terminol- Society increased in value from £9.8M to nations for the Nominating Committees of the straints of charity and commercial law. It ogy) between mathematics and physics. The £10.2M, reflecting a continuing recovery in IMU and the International Commission on was emphasized that the Interim Report second lecture on infinite dimensional sym- the value of the Society’s equities. During Mathematical Instruction (ICMI); the selection was intended to set out in general terms metry was the Presidential Address of Peter the year, Council decided to replace Credit process for the committees seemed to be the different possible models, ranging from Goddard, who came back from Princeton to Suisse as fund managers by Morgan Stanley. rather arcane, perhaps to avoid an infinite continuing on the present lines to a com- give it. After a well-attended and enjoyable The Building and Development Reserve sequence of nominating bodies. pletely merged single body. It was meant to reception at De Morgan House, there was Fund is unchanged over the year at the Annual Dinner in the York Room at the £500,000; the Printing and Publication nearby Bonnington Hotel. Reserve Fund rose from £1.14M to £1.20M, On a personal note, this was my last following the repayment of part of the LMS Newsletter Council meeting. The four years I spent on start-up costs of the journal Compositio. it were interesting, busy and something of Other reserve funds are used to hold gifts General Editor: Dr D.R.J. Chillingworth ([email protected]) an eye-opener. The LMS has grown into a and bequests (£23K, unchanged on last Reports Editor: Dr S.A. Huggett ([email protected]) large organisation which, nevertheless, year), and to meet the costs of grants that Reviews Editor: Professor M.P.F. du Sautoy ([email protected]) retains the dedication and loyalty of its have been awarded but not yet claimed Administrative Editor: Miss S.M. Oakes ([email protected]) staff, something which the Society can be (£46K). Council has completed a review of Editorial office address: London Mathematical Society, De Morgan House, proud of as well as grateful for. It is served the purposes of its reserve funds, and will 57-58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS (tel: 020 7637 3686; fax: 020 7323 3655; well by its Council who work devotedly for consider their actual level during the com- email: [email protected], web: www.lms.ac.uk) no financial reward to support mathemat- ing months. Designed by CHP Design (tel: 020 7240 0466, email: [email protected], web:www.chpdesign.com) ics and to secure its future in increasingly It has been another good year for the Publication dates and deadlines: published monthly, except August. difficult times. Society’s publishing activities, with a total Items and advertisements by first day of the month prior to publication. Maurice Dodson surplus just short of £700K. It has been cus- Information in the Newsletter is free to be used elsewhere unless otherwise stated; attribution is tomary at this point to make apologetic requested when reproducing whole articles. The LMS cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy Note from the General Secretary remarks disclaiming excessive profit-taking. of information in the Newsletter. Views expressed do not necessarily represent the views or policy The part of the meeting that Maurice At a time when the spotlight is on scientific of the London Mathematical Society. Charity registration number: 252660. Dodson missed was mainly devoted to rou- publishing, I would prefer instead to THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 333 January 2005

acknowledge the essential role that the 2369 to 2344; associate membership rose publications’ surplus plays in enabling the from 138 to 153. Subscription income rose Society to support mathematical activity in from £52K to £57K. LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY the United Kingdom, and to congratulate Once again, there are no dramatic the Publisher, Susan Hezlet, for the ener- changes to report, but again the Society getic and forward-looking way in which she should take note of the extent to which it MARY CARTWRIGHT LECTURE pursues the Society’s interests. relies on its publishing activities for its The total spent on grants, subscriptions, financial health; and on the crucial contri- Friday 25 February 2005 and prizes fell from £365K to £347K; expen- bution of Susan Oakes, Peter Cooper and diture on management and administration Ephrem Belay, who manage our financial Chemistry Auditorium, Christopher Ingold Building, rose from £542K to £603K - much of the rise affairs with extraordinary efficiency University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1 being due to exceptional costs on building and care. and maintenance at De Morgan House. N.M.J. Woodhouse Ordinary membership fell slightly from Treasurer 3.30 – 4.30 Professor Steffen Lauritzen (Oxford University) A pedigree perspective of local computation 4.30 – 5.00 Tea ANNUAL LMS SUBSCRIPTION 2004-05 5.00 – 6.00 Mary Cartwright Lecture 4 The Society is appreciative of those members who have paid their 2004-05 subscriptions. Professor Elizabeth Thompson 5 May we remind those who have not yet paid, that subscriptions were due on 1 November (University of Washington, Seattle) 2004. Prompt payment ensures continuity of publications and avoids the need for time- Relatedness, genome sharing, and the detection of genes consuming reminders. The Society reserves the right to discontinue the supply of peri- odicals and the Newsletter to members whose subscription remains unpaid by 31 January The talks by Elizabeth Thompson and Steffen Lauritzen are concerned with the 2005. The methods of payment are either by a sterling cheque drawn on a UK bank; a genetic analysis of large pedigrees. A pedigree, defined as a full specification of US$ cheque drawn on a US bank, direct debit or credit card. If you have misplaced your family relationships between a group of individuals, is naturally represented by renewal of subscription form, contact the LMS office (email: [email protected]; tel: a directed graph. Almost every problem associated with pedigree analysis involves 020 7637 3686; fax: 020 7323 3655). a difficult computation, but algorithms for so-called local computation on graphs allow feasible calculations to be done, and this is the topic of the first talk. The Individual members 2004-05 rates: second talk focuses on genome sharing arising from pedigree relationships, and on using the dependence in sharing at different loci on a common chromosome Subscriptions £ US$ to infer linkage of a trait to a set of marker loci. A new way to assess the evi- Ordinary 33.00 66.00 dence for linkage from unobserved genome sharing will be discussed. Reciprocity 16.50 33.00 Associate 8.25 16.50 A reception will be held at De Morgan House at 6.15 pm with a dinner afterwards European Mathematical Society (additional) 16.00 32.00 at Poons Restaurant, 50 Woburn Place, London WC1 at 7.15 pm. The cost will be £25.00 per person, inclusive of wine. Those wishing to attend should inform The Publications Administrator, Susan M. Oakes, London Mathematical Society, De Morgan House, Bulletin Volume 37 33.00 66.00 57-58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS, enclosing a cheque payable to the Journal Volumes 71 & 72 66.00 132.00 ‘London Mathematical Society’ to arrive no later than Monday 21 February. Proceedings Volumes 90 & 91 66.00 132.00 There are limited funds available to contribute in part to the expenses of JCM (electronic) Volume 8 free free members of the Society or research students to attend the Society meeting. Nonlinearity Volume 18 – except North America 47.00 Requests for support, including an estimate of expenses, may be addressed – North America 118.00 to the Programme Secretary at the Society (web: www.lms.ac.uk; email: Journal of Applied Probability Volume 42 43.00 86.00 [email protected]). Math. Proc. Camb. Phil. Society Volumes 137 & 138 88.00 176.00 Journal of the European Mathematical Society Volume 7 32.00 64.00 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 333 January 2005

LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY The SAT also discussed the procedure for advisory panels had looked at reviews of the 2004-05 COUNCIL allocating doctoral training resources in the research and training portfolios of all EPSRC As a result of the annual election, membership of the Council is the following: Mathematical Sciences Programme. The Programmes and the contribution each is process was felt to be broadly appropriate making to delivering EPSRC’s strategic objec- President Professor F.C. Kirwan FRS (Oxford) with the more serious, structural issues being tives. The main issues raised were: Vice-Presidents Professor M.R. Bridson (Imperial College London) the issue that needs to be addressed. • High quality programme but the research Professor A.G. Chetwynd (Lancaster) The Mathematical Sciences Programme quality is not consistent across the portfolio; Treasurer Dr N.M.J. Woodhouse (Oxford) wishes to use its Doctoral Training Grants • Connectivity - there is still more to do, par- General Secretary Professor N.L. Biggs (LSE) (DTG) allocations process to reflect the quali- ticularly with industry, computer science Programme Secretary Dr S.A. Huggett (Plymouth) ty and level of research activity within depart- and high performance computing; Publications Secretary Professor J. Howie FRSE (Heriot-Watt) ments, strategic priorities and particularly the • Strong fellowship portfolio; Education Secretary Dr W.B. Stewart (Oxford) quality and breadth of PhD training provision • Age profile across the mathematical sci- Members-at-Large Professor I.D. Abrahams (Manchester) in response to the International Reviews. The ences is a concern, but especially in statis- Professor C.J. Budd (Bath) mathematics community can take advantage tics and OR; Dr R.D. Camina (Cambridge) of the additional funding period to develop • Concerns over the quality of PhD training, Professor R.T. Curtis (Librarian) (Birmingham) PhD programmes with a broader base, and with no strong correlation to research Professor H.G. Dales (Leeds) universities can pool DTA resources to provide grant funding and with many departments Dr P.J. Davies (Strathclyde) taught courses for PhD students on a region- having small Doctoral Training allocations; 6 Professor A.M. Etheridge (Oxford) al or national basis. The Programme would • Public Engagement - need to keep up the 7 Professor K.J. Falconer FRSE (St Andrews) wish to reward departments that develop good work. Professor F.P. Kelly FRS (Cambridge) their PhD programmes through an increase in The SAT discussed these comments, partic- Sir John Kingman FRS (Isaac Newton Institute) their DTG allocations. We will also be looking ularly those regarding connectivity with Dr F.A. Rogers (King’s College London) for other ways in which we can encourage other disciplines and industry. It highlighted Dr N.C. Snaith (Bristol) universities to make changes that will the role of EPSRC in facilitating collaboration improve the quality of the UK PhD in the and the importance of providing resources to mathematical sciences. The recent regional ensure that mathematicians are supported as EPSRC MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES PROGRAMME meetings have offered a number of sugges- part of a research team from beginning to STRATEGIC ADVISORY TEAM tions as well as highlighting some real barri- end of interdisciplinary projects. ers to this kind of structural change. EPSRC The main issues for the Programme for the The Maths SAT met for the seventh time on • In response to the International Review of will be taking this on board and working with development of future strategy were felt to be: 12 October 2004 at Polaris House, Swindon. Mathematics, the UK should move towards other bodies as we determine our strategy • Training – improving the quality of the UK There was a full agenda with the theme of a 4-year PhD programme in the mathemat- over the coming months. PhD and providing interdisciplinary train- developing strategic options for the future, ical sciences to enable depth and breadth There was a short discussion of the Review ing opportunities e.g. summer schools; following the International Reviews of of training. There would be concentration of OR in which SAT members highlighted • Responsive mode – retaining the emphasis Mathematics and Operational Research and of training resources if there was no issues raised within this review that were on responsive mode because of its impor- the consideration of the Programme’s increase in budget; common with the International Review of tance for supporting high quality, curiosity research and training portfolio by EPSRC’s • In order to achieve this structural change, Mathematics, e.g. the significant overlap with driven research; Technical Opportunities and User Panels. The departments need to be sure that they will some of the issues raised in Statistics and at • Managed programmes – reducing the meeting began with a discussion of doctoral not be disadvantaged if they move to this the interface with Computer Science. EPSRC number of managed activities and having training. Some members of the SAT were model; will be looking at its support for OR across all a strategy of a smaller number of highly pleasantly surprised to find out that EPSRC • There is potential for the student to do of its Programmes as we formulate our focused activities, maintaining the quality has increased the funding announced some paid teaching in a balanced research response to this Review and we will be meet- of the funded proposals; through the Doctoral Training Accounts programme; ing representatives from the Operational • Fellowships – suggested changes to the (DTA) by 17% to increase the average length • EPSRC should work with the learned societies to Research Society in late November. EPSRC-wide fellowship schemes and specif- of the PhD to 3.5 years for October 2004 promulgate this structural change and in devel- The feedback from the recent TOP and UP ic ideas for discipline/industry-hopping starts. The general consensus was that: oping the current suite of broadening courses. meetings was relayed to the SAT. Council’s opportunities. cont’d THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

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The Programme will be taking the views of The launch, held at the Royal Statistical Society the SAT into account as we develop the strat- headquarters in London, was the focus of a egy for the next business plan, covering the careers showcase, which included talks given financial years 2006-08. An important input by Louise Webber, Senior Manager of to that strategy will be the outputs from our Statistical Programming at Covance, and Rob recent series of regional meetings. We would Eastaway, Maths Consultant and Author. like to thank everyone who took time out to Following Rob Eastaway’s talk on How to help us with this – more than 120 of you did be a Mathematician and not be avoided at so. As always, the Programme would be parties, Professor Hoyles launched the new happy to receive feedback from the commu- website, speaking about the importance of nity on any important issues. In particular, mathematics and its central position in so you could help us make the case for the rele- many areas of work, as well as her own role in vance and impact of mathematical sciences supporting the central role of mathematics research if you know of: education. A presentation of the new website • Cases where mathematical sciences research was then given by Helen Joyce, its chief edi- has had an impact on people's everyday tor, who spoke about the website’s creation, lives, even when this comes many decades aims, and future development. Professor after the research was done, especially if the Andy Grieve, Chairman of the CMS, spoke 8 UK has been a key player in this research; about the continuing role of the CMS in the 9 • Key advances that have come from promotion of mathematics and future work research that EPSRC (or its predecessors) to be undertaken by the careers initiative. has supported; Following the launch, a reception was held • Exciting challenges in mathematics, statis- at the Royal Statistical Society, allowing tics and operational research for the future guests to mingle with the speakers. Special – both applied and ‘core’ parts of the guests from the Science Council and DfES discipline – what are the big unanswered were present, along with a host of represen- problems? tatives from schools, colleges, educational Examples can be sent to any of the pro- organisations and the mathematical commu- gramme team (email firstname.lastname nity. The Mathscareers website ‘went live’ @epsrc.ac.uk). Many of you will know that I will from this time and is available online for use be on maternity leave from January 2005 - in by students, teachers, parents, careers advi- my absence the Programme will be in the capa- sors and employers with an interest in the use ble hands of Anne Farrow and Peter Hedges. of mathematics in careers. Dr Annette Bramley EPSRC Programme Manager, Mathematical Sciences SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF MATHS CAREERS WEBSITE The new Council for the Mathematical Sciences (CMS) careers initiative website www.mathsca- reers.org.uk was officially launched by Professor Celia Hoyles OBE, the Government’s newly appointed Chief Advisor for Mathematics, on Wednesday 24 November. Helen Joyce Andy Grieve Celia Hoyles THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

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LONG-STANDING MEMBERS The following is a list of mathematicians who have completed fifty years or more of mem- bership of the London Mathematical Society, with their date of election. 12/12/1929 Wright, E.M. 17/11/1949 Northcott, D.G. 13/12/1934 Meyler, D.S. 15/12/1949 Godwin, H.J. 16/12/1937 Pitt, H.R. 19/01/1950 Shepherdson, J.C. 08/02/1940 Kendall, D.G. 16/02/1950 Lehner, J. 09/05/1940 Willmore, T.J. 23/03/1950 Ponting, F.W. 17/12/1940 Good, I.J. 15/06/1950 Ackroyd, R.T. 17/03/1943 Dyson, F.J. 14/12/1950 Patterson, E.M. 15/06/1944 Williams, A.E. 19/04/1951 Chen, D.L.C. 25/01/1945 Collard, K. 17/05/1951 Roth, K.F. 25/01/1945 Ollerenshaw, K. 14/06/1951 Jackson, M. 17/05/1945 Henstock, R. 14/06/1951 Ledermann, W. 28/06/1945 Tropper, A.M. 20/12/1951 Dowker, Y.N. 13/12/1945 Rogers, C.A. 20/12/1951 Herszberg, J. 25/04/1946 Goldie, A.W. 17/01/1952 Boyd, A.V. 10 25/04/1946 Rothman, M. 17/01/1952 Wilson, D.H. 11 23/05/1946 Huppert, E.L. 14/02/1952 Utz, W.R. 23/05/1946 Rees, D. 15/02/1952 Shephard, G.C. 19/12/1946 Higman, G. 20/03/1952 Bonsall, F.F. 19/12/1946 Ruston, A.F. 20/03/1952 Swinnerton-Dyer, H.P.F. 16/01/1947 Macbeath, A.M. 20/11/1952 Knight, A.J. 20/02/1947 Hay, G.E. 18/12/1952 Reeve, J.E. 20/03/1947 Hayman, W.K. 18/06/1953 Marstrand, J.M. 22/05/1947 Ghaffari, A. 18/06/1953 Rayner, M.E. 19/06/1947 Cassels, J.W.S. 17/12/1953 Gruenberg, K.W. 27/11/1947 Hilton, P.J. 17/12/1953 Ringrose, J.R. 18/03/1948 Burkill, H. 17/12/1953 Samet, P.A. 18/03/1948 Isaacs, G.L. 21/01/1954 Zeeman, E.C. 18/03/1948 Reade, M.O. 18/02/1954 Cohen, D.E. 17/06/1948 Bateman, P.T. 18/02/1954 James, I.M. 18/11/1948 Mullender, P. 17/06/1954 Taylor, S.J. 13/12/1948 Fishel, B. 25/11/1954 Amson, J.C. 20/01/1949 Borwein, D. 25/11/1954 Halberstam, H. 17/03/1949 Kilmister, C.W. 16/12/1954 Preston, G.B. 28/04/1949 Austin, M.C.

DEADLINES REMINDER 14 January Polya, Senior Whitehead, Berwick and Whitehead Prizes nominations 31 January LMS annual subscription payments (final deadline) 4 February Cecil King Travel Scholarship applications 25 February Royal Commission Research Fellowship applications THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 333 January 2005

DfES SEEKS PROTECTION ROYAL COMMISSION FOR Fellowship will be made during June 2005. MARIE CURIE The full regulations, and application form, FOR KEY SUBJECTS IN THE EXHIBITION OF 1851 can be found at: www.royalcommission1851. EXCELLENCE CHAIR Research Fellowship UNIVERSITIES org.uk/res_fellow.html. Professor Bob Nichol, who recently joined The scheme of 1851 Research Fellowships is the Institue of Cosmology & Gravitation at Charles Clarke, the Secretary of State for intended to give a few young scientists or PHILIP LEVERHULME the University of Portsmouth, has been Education and Skills, has written to the Higher engineers of exceptional promise the oppor- awarded a Marie Curie Excellence Chair. The Education Funding Council for England tunity for conducting research for a further PRIZES 2004 MC Excellence Chairs are the top individual (HEFCE) seeking advice on how to protect period of two years. Approximately six The Leverhulme Trustees are pleased to research grants available from the European higher education courses of national strategic awards are made each year. announce the results of the 2004 competition Commission. They are intended to support importance, including Mathematics. He has Candidates in science subjects must nor- for the Philip Leverhulme Prizes. The Prizes world-class researchers and to encourage asked HEFCE to report back on whether inter- mally be in possession of a PhD degree, or in were established to recognise the outstand- them to continue their careers in Europe. vention is necessary to protect these subjects. the final stages of their PhD studies, which ing research achievements of young scholars Bob joined the University of Portsmouth The Secretary of State has pinpointed must be successfully completed before the of distinction and promise based in UK insti- from Carnegie Mellon University in the USA. mathematics as a key subject of importance provisional award of a Fellowship will be con- tutions; they commemorate the late Third He won the Chair with a proposal called both to employers in growing areas of the firmed. Candidates offering engineering do Viscount Leverhulme, who died in 2000. The ASTROSTAT - Statistical Data Mining in UK economy and for maintaining the UK’s not have to be in possession of a PhD, but fields of research covered by the 2004 awards Astrophysics. The Chair funds his salary for science base and ensuring national produc- must be of at least PhD standard. were: Anthropology; Earth, Ocean and three years while he works on the ASTRO- 12 tivity. He has shown concern about the cur- The Fellowships are open to candidates in Atmospheric Sciences; Economics; STAT programme at Portsmouth. In addi- 13 rent downward trend in numbers of mathe- any of the physical or biological sciences, in Mathematics and Statistics; and Medieval, tion, Bob also won a Marie Curie matics graduates throughout the UK and mathematics, in applied science, or in any Early Modern and Modern History. The International Reintegration Grant, which whether there will be enough future gradu- branch of engineering. Candidates in mathe- Mathematics and Statistics Prizewinners were will fund a postdoctoral researcher to assist ates to help our economy and society thrive. matics, (including applied mathematics) and the following. him with his research. Readers of the Newsletter will recall that, the pure sciences who wish to transfer into • Dr Stephen Brooks (Statistical Laboratory, during the summer, the three CMS presidents engineering or a branch of applied science University of Cambridge) for his work on IMU DEVELOPING met the Secretary of State and discussed their are particularly encouraged to apply. statistics joint concern at the erosion of the maths base The Fellowship stipend payable in 2005 is • Dr Darren Crowdy (Department of COUNTRIES STRATEGY in universities and the supply of mathematical- £21,700 for the first year, and £22,800 for the Mathematics, Imperial College London) for GROUP ly skilled people and the amongst other issues. second year. In addition a London Weighting his work on applied complex analysis and The LMS has warmly welcomed the of £2,134 per annum is payable in appropri- fluid dynamics The first meeting of the International Secretary of State’s letter to HEFCE. It urges ate cases. • Dr Matthew Keeling (Mathematics Mathematical Union’s (IMU) Developing HEFCE to consider the particular nature of A candidate must be British or a citizen of Institute, University of Warwick) for his Countries Strategy Group (DCSG) was held at the mathematical sciences and to recognise, the British Commonwealth or of the work on mathematical biology the International Centre for Theoretical via funding, the highly labour-intensive Republics of Ireland or Pakistan, and should • Dr Jens Marklof (School of Mathematics, Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy, on October nature of training in mathematics. It points preferably be less than thirty years old on 1 University of Bristol) for his work on quan- 16–17. The group, with representation from out that mathematically-skilled people are March 2005. tum chaos the Executive Committee of the IMU, the needed at all levels and cannot be provided Candidates must be recommended by • Dr Vladimir Markovic (Mathematics IMU's Commission on Development and solely by a few institutions. The number of Professors or Heads of Departments of Institute, University of Warwick) for his Exchanges, the International Commission on institutions offering Mathematics courses has Universities or other Institutions of equiva- work on geometry/analysis Mathematical Instruction (ICMI), and ICTP already decreased by 9% between 1995 and lent status in the United Kingdom. Even if • Dr Richard Thomas (Department of itself, is responding to a call from IMU 2001. Any intervention must ensure that the candidate comes from outside the UK, Mathematics, Imperial College London) for President, John Ball, to increase the organi- courses are more widely accessible and the and intends to work abroad, the recommen- his work on algebraic geometry, the geome- zation's attention to the needs of mathemat- funding regime must make this wider access dation must still be made by a UK Institution. try of Calabi-Yau manifolds and string theory ics and mathematicians in the many countries financially feasible, for example by creating Recommendations made on the prescribed Details about this and other Leverhulme of the world which do not have the national mathematical bursaries to encourage more forms must be received on or before 25 schemes can be found on the website development or resources necessary for offi- students to study mathematical sciences. February 2005. Appointments to the (www.leverhulme.ac.uk). cial IMU membership. DCSG immediately THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 333 January 2005

moved to engage mathematical needs and students through the AIMS. Together the two Each short communication will last 20 min- in either of two categories: an article for the opportunities in the developing world on the groups will work with DCSG to create a web- utes, including discussion. The Local Program ‘educated layman’ which should appear in a basis of a US$50,000 start-up grant from the based Clearinghouse for African Mathematics, Committee plans to organize a poster com- journal which specializes in presenting Norwegian Abel Fund, with the possibility of which will be based at ICTP and be guided by petition inside each scientific section. maths/science to readers; or an article for every- subsequent additional Norwegian support. DCSG member and ICTP Head of Mathematics Submission of abstracts will start on one, which should appear in a newspaper or DCSG also moved to gather information Lê Dung Trang. 1 January 2006. Abstracts submitted after general interest journal. The closing date is 1 about activities of regional and national DCSG also agreed to support the efforts of 30 March 2006, will not be considered. The August 2005. Further details can be found on mathematical societies in support of mathe- France's CIMPA to rebuild the mathematical Local Program Committee will notify authors the web (www.emis.de). Of course, I can give matics in the developing world. Former CDE infrastructure in Cambodia, with prospects of of acceptance/rejection of their contribution no guarantee that a UK winner of this compe- member Jean-Pierre Gossez is coordinating cooperation from Vietnam and other coun- before 30 May 2006. Further information on tition would become President of either the the information gathering in Europe and will tries in Southeast Asia, several of whom have the organization of short communications, LMS or the Edinburgh Mathematical Society. serve as DCSG's European liaison. Offers of considerable mathematical resources. A small posters, and mathematical software sessions, David Salinger cooperation were received from the exploratory support of US$5000 was given as well as the instructions on how to prepare EMS Publicity Officer Mathematical Society of Spain, the London this year, with the prospect of more support an abstract, will be posted on the ICM web- Mathematical Society, and the European in future years. The International Council of site (www.icm2006.org) by the end of 2005. VISIT OF PROFESSOR Mathematical Society (EMS), as well as from Mathematics Instruction (ICMI) is represented the International Council of Industrial and in the DCSG by its Vice President Michèle Travel grants and support for local expenses T. GRAMCHEV Applied Mathematics (ICIAM). CIMPA, EMS, Artigue. DCSG approved US$6000 to support IMU and the Organizing Committee will Professor T. Gramchev will be visiting Imperial 14 and ICIAM sent observers to the DCSG meet- the circulation in Africa of the international award a limited number of travel grants to College London from 27 January – 9 February, 15 ing to present the activities and interests of mathematics exhibition Experiencing active young research mathematicians from supported by a Scheme 2 LMS grant. He will their organizations in developing countries. Mathematics developed in cooperation with developing and economically disadvantaged be speaking at the London Analysis seminar The first order of DCSG business was to ICMI and being exhibited internationally countries, and to senior mathematicians from on 3 February. Professor Gramchev is one of move to support the African Mathematics under ICMI auspices. Sustained funding for developing and economically disadvantaged the leading experts working in partial differ- Millennium Science Initiative (AMMSI), focused the continuation of these efforts must come countries (not necessarily members of IMU) ential equations and dynamical systems. His on sub-Saharan Africa. AMMSI is one of two from the international mathematical com- to enable them to attend ICM 2006. interests involve the important interplay recent mathematical initiatives in Africa, the munity itself, particularly the adhering bod- between analytic methods from PDEs and other being the newly founded African ies and national societies in developed coun- ICM 2006 – PROCEEDINGS dynamical systems. His recent work on the Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) near tries. Jacob Palis, former IMU President and solvability and properties of systems of hyper- Cape Town, South Africa. DCSG authorized DCSG member, will lead a DCSG campaign to The Proceedings of the ICM 2006 will be pub- bolic PDEs are of particular interest. This work US$25,000 for AMMSI partially to match a encourage national mathematical societies in lished by the European Mathematical Society was essentially the first one to treat several US$75,000 Mellon Foundation grant. The developed countries to incorporate a ‘dona- Publishing House. The European aspects of systems developing Jordan blocks. funds will underwrite the first year of AMMSI tion to developing country’ check-off box on Mathematical Society does some of its work Whilst in the UK he will be giving lectures at operation, in which it will pilot programmes of annual membership renewal forms. through committees of volunteers. The the universities of Edinburgh and Bristol. For assistantships for graduate students at selected Further information about the IMU's Committee on Raising Public Awareness of further information contact Dr Michael PhD programmes on the African continent, as Developing Country Strategy Group can be Mathematics grew out of Mathematics Year Ruzhansky (email: [email protected]). well as a programme of intensive courses at obtained from the group’s Administrative 2000 activities and is lucky to have Vagn those centres by highly qualified visiting pro- Secretary, Ms. Sharon Laurenti ([email protected]) Lundsgaard Hansen as its enthusiastic chair. LMS DURHAM fessors. The AIMS and AMMSI initiatives met in In 2002 the committee ran a competition for Nairobi, Kenya, in late June, to form a coalition ICM 2006 popular articles about mathematics which RESEARCH SYMPOSIA in support of mathematical development on eventually elicited a good number of high qual- The LMS Research Meeting Committee is respon- 22-30 August 2006, Madrid the African continent. AIMS brings graduate ity entries and led to republication of the sible for the planning of the LMS Durham students from all over Africa to its Cape Town Short communications and posters prizewinning article in the EMS Newsletter. Symposia, which have been running successfully institute for one year of intensive training and Registered participants will have the oppor- The winner was Nuno Crato, who has since each July/August since 1974, with over 75 sym- exposure to opportunities in research in the tunity to present their mathematical work in become President of the Portuguese posia to date, in a wide range of mathematical mathematical sciences. AMMSI-supported the form of a short communication, a poster, Mathematical Society. The committee is repeat- disciplines. In 2005 there will be two Durham graduate programmes will rotate advanced or a contribution on mathematical software. ing the exercise. It is offering prizes for articles Symposia, both supported by EPSRC.

University of Leeds on Friday 7 January. 7 Friday on Leeds of University Networks. Neural and Systems the of 500 Room in place take will meeting available are symposium Solitons Topological

Day will be held at the School of Mathematics, of School the at held be will Day Disordered Processing, Information in The February. 2 Wednesday on held be will the of talks the of videos pilot, a As graph.

The second Yorkshire and Durham Geometry Durham and Yorkshire second The programmes PhD and MSc of Presentation • London College University at Combinatorics photo- symposium a and talks, of abstracts

GEOMETRY DAY GEOMETRY Probability in Meeting one-day annual seventh The participants, of list a cases, many in including,

in Financial Mathematics and Applied and Mathematics Financial in symposia forthcoming and previous all about

YORKSHIRE AND DURHAM AND YORKSHIRE MEETING COMBINATORICS

This latter website contains information contains website latter This • Presentation of MSc and PhD programmes PhD and MSc of Presentation •

maths.dur.ac.uk/events/Meetings/LMS/). in Theoretical Physics Theoretical in

supported by an LMS conference grant. conference LMS an by supported (www. website Durham the or _meet_com/) Dawes ([email protected]). Dawes programmes PhD and MSc of Presentation •

the British Combinatorial Committee and is and Committee Combinatorial British the (www.lms.ac.uk/activities/research website cam.ac.uk/user/jhd1002/panda or contact Jon contact or cam.ac.uk/user/jhd1002/panda Theory Number on Talk •

ference is organised under the auspices of auspices the under organised is ference LMS the on available is Symposia Durham More details are available at www.damtp. at available are details More Operators

email to [email protected]. The con- The [email protected]. to email about information More itself. posium and there are funds to cover travel expenses. travel cover to funds are there and Differential Partial and Analysis on Talk •

about the conference feel free to send an send to free feel conference the about sym- the of running the in and proposals, the post-docs are warmly encouraged to attend, to encouraged warmly are post-docs Pressley Andrew Professor

in your calendar. If you have any questions any have you If calendar. your in for case financial and scientific the preparing shorter presentations. Research students and students Research presentations. shorter Department, of Head the by address Brief •

is not yet open, but be sure to mark the date the mark to sure be but open, yet not is in available is assistance Considerable el. and Peter Hydon (Surrey), and up to four to up and (Surrey), Hydon Peter and programme: Provisional

(www.maths.ox.ac.uk/~pcc2005). Registration (www.maths.ox.ac.uk/~pcc2005). trav- some and participants, invited all of costs agogical talks given by Mark Roberts (Surrey) Roberts Mark by given talks agogical Physics. Theoretical

Visit the website for further details further for website the Visit subsistence the cover to grant, research tial 18 January. There will be two hour-long ped- hour-long two be will There January. 18 and Networks Neural and Processing

ence and model theory. model and ence substan- a for EPSRC to made is application an DAMTP, University of Cambridge, on Tuesday on Cambridge, of University DAMTP, Information Mathematics, Financial in offered

extremal set theory, theoretical computer sci- computer theoretical theory, set extremal symposium each For ahead. years two least at LMS under Scheme 3, will take place in place take will 3, Scheme under LMS are degrees MSc specialised More Physics.

coding theory, cryptography, partial orders, partial cryptography, theory, coding made are symposia for proposals Detailed Applications (PANDA) series, funded by the by funded series, (PANDA) Applications Mathematical and Mathematics Pure in exist

ence include graph theory, design theory, design theory, graph include ence Stuart) A. Kendall, W. the Patterns, Nonlinear Dynamics and Dynamics Nonlinear Patterns, the programmes MSc Taught Probability. Applied

Subjects likely to be covered at the confer- the at covered be to likely Subjects Goldberg, (L. theory and tions The next one-day meeting in meeting one-day next The and Mathematics Financial and Networks,

• Joel Spencer (New York University) York (New Spencer Joel • applica- algorithms, – chains Markov 2003 Theory, Disordered Systems and Neural and Systems Disordered Theory,

PANDA

• Ben Green (Trinity College, Cambridge) College, (Trinity Green Ben • Smith) F. Operators, Number Theory, Geometric Lie Geometric Theory, Number Operators,

• Keith Edwards (University of Dundee) of (University Edwards Keith • Hall, P. Gajjar, (J. flows fluid rapid offered in Analysis and Partial Differential Partial and Analysis in offered

invited speakers: invited in applications and developments New 2003 . January 28 Friday than later are degrees Research February. 18 Friday

ment. It will also have talks by the following the by talks have also will It ment. Leary) I. ly encouraged to submit their application no application their submit to encouraged ly on Mathematics in Day Open Postgraduate

cuss their research in an informal environ- informal an in research their cuss Kropholler, P.H. Bridson, (M. theory an interview during the Open Day are strong- are Day Open the during interview an a holding is London College King's

16 17

mathematics, allowing them to meet and dis- and meet to them allowing mathematics, group in cohomology and Geometry 2003 those PhD candidates who wish to arrange to wish who candidates PhD those

POSTGRADUATE OPEN DAY OPEN POSTGRADUATE

research students in all branches of discrete of branches all in students research Zakrzewski) W.J. site or from the above address. However, address. above the from or site

Oxford, 21 – 23 March. This conference is for is conference This March. 23 – 21 Oxford, Ward, R.S. Brizhik, (L. tions time using the forms available on our web- our on available forms the using time

Conference will be held at the University of University the at held be will Conference applica- their and solitons Topological 2004 research degrees may be submitted at any at submitted be may degrees research acknowledged.

The 16th annual Postgraduate Combinatorial Postgraduate annual 16th The Nekovár) J. Buzzard, K. Burns, (D. Applications for taught masters and masters taught for Applications gratefully is Committee Combinatorial

L-Functions and Galois representations Galois and L-Functions 2004 www.mth.kcl.ac.uk/postgraduate/openday2005/.

Support by the LMS and the British the and LMS the by Support â

CONFERENCE

G. McVean) G. [email protected]) or visit the website at website the visit or [email protected]) shortly. available be will programme full

COMBINATORIAL COMBINATORIAL (R. Griffiths, Griffiths, (R. genetics Mathematical 2004 London WC2R 2LS (tel: 020 7848 2107, email: 2107, 7848 020 (tel: 2LS WC2R London a where www.ucl.ac.uk/Mathematics, visit

The most recent symposia have been: have symposia recent most The Department, King’s College London, Strand, London, College King’s Department, or 2128) 679 0207 tel: [email protected],

POSTGRADUATE

and [email protected] and Postgraduate Secretary, Mathematics Secretary, Postgraduate (email: Scott Alex contact please information

email addresses: [email protected] addresses: email please contact: Miss Rebecca Cullen, Rebecca Miss contact: please further For meeting. the attend to wish who

the organisers marked * at the following the at * marked organisers the registration form and further information further and form registration students research of expenses the to tribute dpmms.cam.ac.uk).

Further information may be obtained from obtained be may information Further place throughout the day. For copies of the of copies For day. the throughout place con- to available funds be may There attend. (a.j.scholl@ Scholl A.J. Professor Committee,

2 – 12 August 12 – 2 with current postgraduate students will take will students postgraduate current with to welcome is interested is who Anyone the of Chairman the contact should who

ers: B. Davies, Y. Safarov and E. Shargorodsky*) E. and Safarov Y. Davies, B. ers: meetings with MSc applicants and discussions and applicants MSc with meetings Ziegler. Gunter and Welsh Dominic others, and organisers potential from later,

(organis- analysis spectral and theory Operator Interviews (for PhD candidates), further candidates), PhD (for Interviews Thomasse, Stephan Steif, Jeff include and 2007 for symposia for ideas welcomes

and K. Wendland) 22 July – 1 August 1 – July 22 Wendland) K. and • Tea and informal discussion informal and Tea • will speakers year's This a.m. 10.30 from Committee Meetings Research LMS The

(organisers: P. Bowcock, P.E. Dorey* P.E. Bowcock, P. (organisers: theory PhD at King’s at PhD beforehand available coffee and am 11 at ing welcome. be would

Geometry, conformal field theory and string and theory field conformal Geometry, Doing an MSc, MPhil or MPhil MSc, an Doing Discussion Panel • start- talks with Mathematics, of Department innovation this on feedback members’ –

NEWSLETTER No. 333 January 2005 January 333 No.

MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY MATHEMATICAL THE LONDON THE THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 333 January 2005

Further information contact Martin Speight MATHEMATICAL range of bursting in a network of condi- • Heinz Bauschke (University of Guelph) Convexity ([email protected]) or visit the web- tional pacemaker cells and fixed point algorithms in Hilbert space site (www.maths.leeds.ac.uk/pure/geometry/ NEUROSCIENCE MEETING • John Terry (Loughborough) Bifurcations to • Daniel Klain (University of Massachusetts ydgd/dgday.html). Yorkshire and Durham A meeting on Mathematical Neuroscience will seizure states in a model of neural activity at Lowell) Integral geometry of convex Geometry Days are a joint seminar series of be held at the Royal Society of Edinburgh (22 • Bill Troy Pittsburgh) Waves in a Wilson- bodies and polyhedra the Universities of Durham, Leeds and York, George Street) starting at 9 am on Monday 21 Cowan type neural problem • Wolfgang Runggaldier (Università degli supported by a Scheme 3 LMS grant. March and finishing at 5 pm on Wednesday 23 • David Willshaw (Edinburgh) tba Studi di Padova) The mathematics of finance March. The goal of this meeting is to provide • Alice Yew (Surrey) Modelling signal transduction • Bruce Smith (Dalhousie University) RESEARCH IN an overview of the current state of research in and adaptation in olfactory receptor neurons Mathematical statistics Mathematical Neuroscience both to those The meeting will be organised under the aus- For further information contact Professor Tony PROGRESS 2005 already working in the field and to those who pices of the International Centre for Thompson at Dalhousie ([email protected]). The British Society for the History of are considering moving into it. The workshop Mathematical Sciences. The aim is to bring to Mathematics is holding a meeting on will focus on neural networks and their prop- together a number of researchers from the POSTGRADUATE GENERAL Research in Progress 2005 on Saturday 26 erties. Several major themes will be addressed: disciplines of applied mathematics and com- February at The Queen's College, Oxford Oscillations, Waves, Patterns, Development, putational neuroscience to foster an environ- SKILLS TRAINING from 10:30 am – 5.00 pm. The speakers are: and Information Processing. ment for the exchange of ideas and the pur- One of the outcomes of the Roberts Report is • Abhilasha Aggarwal (Middlesex) Surveyor- In addition to invited speakers the schedule suit of collaborative research. The organisers that the Research Councils have started provid- Generals to India from 1800 to 1880 will allow for a number of contributed talks are Dr Stephen Coombes (Nottingham) and ing extra money to fund ‘training and develop- 18 • June Barrow-Green (Open University) From and poster presentations. Anyone interested in Dr Gabriel Lord (Heriot-Watt). ment in general skills’ for their PhD students 19 research in progress to progress in research making such a presentation should contact one Registration closes on Monday 7 February and contract research staff. Funds are of the • Charles Care (Warwick) Embodying the cal- of the organisers. The Invited Speakers are: and may close earlier if numbers exceed the order of £800 per PhD student per year for culus: planimeters and analogue computing • Peter Ashwin (Exeter) Computation on net- capacity of around 60. The meeting is support- those students who started in the 2003/04 aca- • Joao Caramalho Domingues (Middesex) works of cluster states ed by the EPSRC, LMS, the ICIAM 99 Fund and demic year or later, and guidance is provided on The calculus according to S.F. Lacroix • Carson Chow (Bethesda) The dynamics of the Leverhulme Trust Theoretical Neuroscience how they can be used in [1, annex 1]. Annex 2 • Chris Donohue (Portsmouth) British com- localized pulses in spiking neuronal networks Network. Some financial support is available, of [1] provides a list of the generic skills that puting in the 1940s • Jack Cowan (Chicago) Stochastic neurody- in particular for PhD students and post-docs. research students are expected to have acquired • Heather Murray (Open University) Plücker’s namics Further details of this meeting and how to reg- by the end of a PhD. These are listed under the geometrical models • Steve Cox (Houston) Channel localization ister may be found at www.icms.org.uk/meet- main headings: research management; personal • Johanna Pejlare (Uppsala) Torsten Brodén from dual potential recordings ings/2005/neuro/index.html. effectiveness; communication skills; networking and the principles of geometry • Gustavo Deco (Barcelona) Cross-temporal and and teamworking; and career management. • Harry Sitters (Amsterdam): Cardinael and cross-modal integration in the prefrontal cor- ATLANTIC ASSOCIATION The training money provided by the Research early seventeenth-century Dutch geometry tex: The role of fluctuations in neurodynamics Councils is given directly to universities, rather • Denise Sumpter (Imperial): Theon of • Michael Hausser (UCL) Relationships between SUMMER SCHOOL than being rolled into the PhD funding alloca- Alexandria structure and function in single neurons The fourth annual Atlantic Association for tions for individual departments. Each universi- • Benjamin Wardhaugh (Oxford) Pitch pic- • Carlo Laing (Massey) Spiral waves in neural Research in the Mathematical Sciences (AARMS) ty is meant to determine how best to use these tured: visual representations of musical field equations Summer School of Mathematics will be held at funds [2, Section 5], and is expected to account pitch in the seventeenth century • Markus Owen (Nottingham) Bumps, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada, from for how they have used them in a single annual Registration fee is £15 for BSHM members and breathers, and waves in a model neural 17 July to 14 August. The Summer School is report to the Research Councils [3]. Some uni- £18 for non-members, including lunch, tea, network with spike frequency adaptation intended for graduate students and promising versities are providing general staff-develop- coffee. A registration form which should be • Ras Petersen (Manchester) Neural coding undergraduates from all parts of the world. Each ment type courses for all their postgraduates, printed and sent to the organiser is now avail- of tactile stimuli: white noise analysis of participant is expected to register for two of the but such non-subject specific training is not nec- able from the BSHM website (www.bshm.org). neurons in primary somatosensory cortex courses. Each course consists of four 60-minute essarily very useful for mathematicians. The deadline for registration is 22 February. • David Pinto (Pittsburgh) Epsilon in neuro- lectures and two 90-minute problem session per It may not be possible or practical for indi- For further information contact the organizer: science: the dangers of going to extremes week. These are Dalhousie University graduate vidual mathematics departments to provide Jackie Stedall, The Queen’s College, Oxford • John Rinzel (New York) tba courses and it is possible to transfer credit. The appropriate courses for their students, but this ([email protected]). • Jonathan Rubin (Pittsburgh) The dynamic courses offered are the following: could be done collectively by several depart- THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 333 January 2005

ments. I thought that it might be useful to oth- appears to be welcomed by the Research ers contemplating doing this to describe a pro- Councils: [1 annex 1] states ‘The councils are also gramme of generic skills training that has keen to encourage innovative approaches and begun this year for Scottish-based mathemat- institutional collaboration, e.g. on a regional ics and statistics PhD students. It is being run as basis and would emphasise that these funds are a joint venture between the Edinburgh for personal skills development broadly defined Mathematical Society (EMS) and the and need not be confined to formal courses’. International Centre for Mathematical Sciences The aim of the EMS/ICMS sessions is to pro- (ICMS). For the first two years ICMS is providing vide skills training that both students and the organisation and venue free of charge, their departments will find useful. and the EMS has given a grant to cover cater- Departments will not be charged for the first ing costs and speakers' expenses: departments two years to enable them to decide whether pay the travel expenses for their own students. they are willing to pay for what is on offer There have been two events so far, one for and, if so, to give them time to get their insti- first year PhD students, and the other for those tutions to release centrally managed Roberts in their second year or later. Both appeared to training funds in future years. The Research be successful, with a combined attendance of Councils explicitly allow for this possibility: ‘It 69 maths/stats students from seven Scottish is expected that the student will be able to 20 universities. Topics covered at these sessions exert some choice over the training provided 21 included mathematically-targetted IT skills through application of these funds. If they so (linux/unix and LaTeX), practical teaching skills wish, the students should be able to choose (taking tutorials and marking), communication training outside their host institution’ [2]. skills (how to give a mathematics research These sentences also appear (in a slightly mod- talk), and others that are important for begin- ified form) in the more recent document [4]. ning and carrying out research (what a mathe- References matics PhD involves; using bibliographic data- [1] Implementation of the Roberts Report on bases). Feedback from students has been posi- the supply of scientists and engineers in tive, and many also valued and enjoyed the the UK. Available from www.esrc.ac.uk/ opportunity to meet maths/stats PhD students esrccontent/DownloadDocs/roberts1.doc from other universities. We are currently plan- [2] Doctoral training account frequently ning another two sessions for Spring 2005, and asked questions. Available from the EPSRC further information on these will be available website (www.epsrc.ac.uk) by following from the web at www.icms.org.uk/meet- the links: Postgraduate Training > Doctoral ings/2004/pgcourses/. Training Accounts > Doctoral Training Individual departments can supplement Accounts Frequently Asked Questions and/or assess the training provided by EMS/ICMS [3] Letter to HEIs on Roberts skills training in whatever way they think appropriate (some payments and monitoring. Available from institutions require students to obtain a certain www.grad.ac.uk/downloads/roberts_let- number of ‘postgraduate credits’ before they ter_oct_04.pdf can be awarded a PhD). This could include stu- [4] DTG conditions for 2004. Available from dents: writing an annual report on, or being the EPSRC website (www.epsrc.ac.uk) by interviewed about, their research; giving a following the links: Postgraduate Training research talk; attending research seminars or > Doctoral Training Accounts > Doctoral conferences; or reflecting on and discussing Training Grant Conditions what they have learnt with their supervisor or Penny Davies peers. This type of approach to skills training University of Strathclyde THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 333 January 2005

LMS ANNUAL The new gauge invariance occurs in all the- ories of matter coupled to electromagnetism, RECORDS OF PROCEEDINGS GENERAL MEETING and is associated with electric charge conser- Friday 19 November 2004 vation. More subtly, it relates to Dirac's work AT MEETINGS The Annual General Meeting of the London on magnetic monopoles and electric charge Mathematical Society was held on Friday 19 quantisation, and to the Aharonov-Bohm ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING November 2004 in the Chemistry effect. Weyl made a major contribution to Auditorium at University College London. our understanding of symmetry in quantum held on Friday 19 November 2004 at University College London. About 90 members The President, Frances Kirwan, opened the mechanics, but it was Yang and Mills, and and visitors were present for all or part of the meeting. meeting, and invited the Treasurer to sum- Shaw, who saw how to extend the gauge marize his annual report. The auditors were invariance to a local non-abelian symmetry. The meeting began at 3:15 pm, with the President, Professor F.C. KIRWAN, FRS, in reappointed. The election of several new Yang-Mills theory is the basis for the stan- the Chair. Members who had not yet voted were invited to hand their ballot papers members was approved, and the President dard model of all the elementary particles, to Dr D.J. Collins and Professor P.T. Saunders, the Scrutineers. formally admitted three members to the including electrons, neutrinos, quarks and The Treasurer, Professor N.M.J. Woodhouse, presented his annual report, which Society. The Society’s 2004 De Morgan the W and Z gauge bosons. The Higgs mech- is published in the Newsletter. Messrs Baker Tilly were appointed as auditors for Medallist and other Prizewinners were then anism, consistent with gauge invariance, 2004/05. awarded their medal and prize certificates, appears to explain the masses of the various to the acclaim of the 90 or so attending. particles. Sixteen people were elected to Ordinary Membership: M. Breuning, D.W. Brookes, 22 The President introduced Professor Professor Olive concluded with remarks on 23 S. Dantchev, N.J. Elder, J. Fine, S. Huczynska, D. Kahrobaei, G.F. Kendall, G.D. Lythe, David I. Olive of University of Wales ‘anomalies’, the subtle symmetry-breaking R. Mamon, Z. Qian, M.S. Saeed, R.J. Turner, R.N. Turner, H.J. Wilson, A.C. Yew; eight Swansea, who spoke on Unified theories phenomena that occur in quantum theories, people were elected to Associate Membership: B. Afshari, J.D. Bradley, L. Cereceda, and the increasing synergy between math- even when symmetry is present in the classi- C.D. Hollings, B. Houlding, M.K. Price, N. Venkov, M. Wemyss. ematics and physics. He reviewed mathe- cal limit. Some anomalies are related to the The President, on Council’s behalf, presented certificates to the 2004 Society matical developments since the time of Atiyah-Singer index theorem. Another Prizewinners: De Morgan Medal: Sir Roger Penrose; Senior Berwick Prize: Professor Einstein's work on gravitation which relates to the scale invariance originally con- B. Zilber; Naylor Prize: Professor R.O. Jozsa; Fröhlich Prize: Dr I. Grojnowski; underpin the standard model of elemen- sidered by Weyl, which is classically present in Whitehead Prizes: Professor M. Ainsworth, Dr V. Markovic, Dr R. Thomas, tary particle physics. Professor Olive's the- Yang-Mills theory with massless quarks, but Professor U.L. Tillmann. sis is that Hermann Weyl played a pivotal broken in the quantised theory. This leads to role. He promoted general relativity very the appearance of a scale, the proton radius, Professor D.I. Olive gave a lecture entitled Unified theories and the increasing early, and discovered a local ‘gauge’ invari- and quark interactions become weak at sep- synergy between mathematics and physics. ance when the metric tensor is coupled to arations much shorter than this. After tea, Dr Collins announced the results of the ballot. The following Officers electromagnetism. This invariance under After tea, Dr Collins announced the result of and Members of the Council were elected: President: F.C. Kirwan; Vice Presidents: rescaling of space-time measuring gauges A.G. Chetwynd, M.R. Bridson; Treasurer: N.M.J. Woodhouse; General Secretary: is mathematically equivalent to local con- N.L. Biggs; Programme Secretary: S.A. Huggett; Publications Secretary: J. Howie; formal invariance. Einstein dismissed this, Education Secretary: W.B. Stewart; Members-at-Large of Council for two years: as it conflicts with the fixed sizes and spec- I.D. Abrahams, H.G. Dales, K.J. Falconer; F.P. Kelly; F.A. Rogers; N.C. Snaith. Council tral frequencies of atoms. However, membership is completed by the following who were elected for two-year terms in London and Weyl revived the idea in the 2003: C.J. Budd, R.D. Camina, R.T. Curtis, P.J. Davies, A.M. Etheridge, J.F.C. Kingman. context of quantum theory, where there is The following member was elected to the Nominating Committee: S.E. Rees. invariance under a local phase change of Professor P. Goddard, President 2002/03, gave his deferred Presidential Address the wavefunction provided the electro- on Infinite dimensional symmetry. magnetic potential undergoes a transfor- mation essentially the same as in the earli- After the meeting, a reception was held at De Morgan House, followed by the er ‘regauging’. The name ‘gauge transfor- Annual Dinner, which was held at the Bonnington Hotel, and attended by 79 people. mation’ has stuck, although there is no change of scale any more. 2004 Society Prize Winners with the LMS President THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 333 January 2005

the ballot for the LMS Council (see page 6). The President then introduced the second DEVELOPMENTS IN QUANTITATIVE FINANCE speaker, Professor Peter Goddard, the immedi- ate past-president of the society. Professor Spitalfields Day Goddard had resigned after one year in office The Isaac Newton Institute will be holding a programme Developments in Quantitative when appointed Director of the Institute for Finance from January to July 2005. There will be a special week, 7 – 11 March, devoted Advanced Study in Princeton. He noted that to Risk Management, organised by Professors Philippe Artzner (Strasbourg) and Paul previously, De Morgan, Whittaker and Embrechts (ETH Zürich). This week will bring together a number of prominent academics Collingwood had been one-year presidents, in this developing area. but nevertheless thanked the President for her Thursday 10 March has been designated as a Spitalfields Day devoted to risk management readiness to take over earlier than expected. of hedge funds and alternative investments, with speakers and attendees from both acade- Professor Goddard spoke on Infinite- Peter Goddard, Frances Kirwan, David Olive mia and the finance industry. One goal is exploring the potential role of mathematics in dimensional symmetry. The principal exam- this topical and important field. ple is conformal symmetry in two dimen- tum string theory, with no imaginary mass sions, a powerful tool for solving the 1+1 particles and no ghosts (states of negative Scheduled to speak are: dimensional wave equation and also the probability) is non-trivial. The resulting • Constant Beckers (Barclays Global Investors) nonlinear Liouville equation. The orbits of mathematics relates to some of the most • Paul Embrechts (ETH Zürich) the symmetry group are so large that all interesting examples of infinite-dimensional • William Fung (PI Asset Management) • Stewart Hodges (Warwick Business School) solutions can be constructed from one or Lie groups and algebras, their automor- 24 • Julien Hugonnier (Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales) 25 two elementary ones. In modern theoretical phism groups being some of the largest spo- • Anthony Ledford (Management Investments) physics the conformal and related groups radic simple groups. • Raman Uppal (London Business School). occur naturally in string theory. String theo- String theory has moved on from its begin- ry emerged from Veneziano's construction ning as a theory of hadrons, because consis- For further information contact Professor Philippe Artzner, Universite Louis Pasteur of two-particle quantum scattering ampli- tent theories have a massless tensor particle (tel: +33-3-90-240-204, fax: +33-3-90-240-328, email: [email protected]) or visit tudes with physically desirable pole struc- that can be interpreted as a graviton. So www.newton.cam.ac.uk/ programmes/DQF/index.html. ture. The poles originally were intended to string theory is now believed to be a quan- correspond to the apparently infinite tum theory of matter and gravity. However, sequence of particles (hadrons) observed in its bosonic form it seems to make sense THEATRE REVIEW Coverly. He is also involved in affairs with sever- experimentally in the 1960s. An investiga- only in 25+1 dimensions, and in its supersym- al women in the household, including the head tion of the physical forces responsible for metric version, only in 9+1 dimensions. The Arcadia by Tom Stoppard, Bristol Old Vic of the household, Lady Croom. His philandering the particle scattering through ‘factoriza- search continues for natural mechanisms to Debauchery. Seduction. Byronic mythology. brings him into conflict in particular with Ezra tion’ of the Veneziano amplitude into ver- separate the 3+1 dimensions we experience Unscrupulous historical research driven by wild aca- Chater, the husband of one of the women he tex operators led to the discovery that the from the remaining, possibly compact dimen- demic ambition. And mathematics. Tom Stoppard’s has been involved with. Present day historian particles could be interpreted as quantum sions. Professor Goddard concluded by men- marvellous play Arcadia has them all, and more. Hannah Jarvis is researching into life in the excitations of a single object, a relativistic tioning how Virasoro symmetry is relevant in Bristol’s Old Vic Theatre staged a production of household. She is joined by a rival, Bernard string. The conformal invariance is the sym- other areas of physics, notably statistical Arcadia in September and October of this year. Nightingale, who develops the theory that metry of the classical string worldsheet in mechanical models in two dimensions like Directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and starring Loo Byron, while a guest in the house, killed Chater space-time. In the quantum theory, the con- the Ising and Potts models. The central Brearley, Blake Ritson, Amanda Harris, Hermione in a duel. Nightingale sees this as the explana- formal Lie algebra is replaced by its central charge parameter plays a fundamental role Guilliford, John Hodgkinson and Nicholas Burns, tion for Byron’s well-documented sudden flight extension, the Virasoro algebra. There are in distinguishing these. this was an outstanding showcase for Stoppard’s abroad. Excited by wild ambition, Nightingale further algebraic structures, the creation Following the meeting, many members linguistic and dramatic brilliance. interprets various clues he discovers at the and annihilation operators for the infinite enjoyed the traditional drinks reception at The play itself is split between the goings-on house to be evidence in support of his claims. number of string excitations, the operators De Morgan House, and the Annual Dinner at in an early nineteenth century English country If this were all, then Arcadia would be just representing, for example, energy and the Bonnington Hotel. house and modern day attempts to reconstruct another rollicking drama, albeit one with daz- momentum, and the vertex operator alge- Nicholas Manton those events. Septimus Hodge, a college friend zling dialogue and brilliant word play of the bra. Making a completely consistent quan- DAMTP, University of Cambridge of Byron’s, is tutor to the precocious Thomasina kind Tom Stoppard is famous for. What makes THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

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the play unusual, however, is that the plot is group of knowledge-hungry actors about THE NATURE OF PROOF out that the latter possessed properties of intertwined with mathematics and science, and these subjects was certainly a curious experi- being pedantic, non-ambiguous, reliable, and in particular with ideas from chaos theory and ence – they were passionately interested to The Nature of Mathematical Proof was a repeatable. In turn, this meant that cool thermodynamics. These appear at two different hear about the background and history of two-day Scientific Discussion meeting held by proofs can be classified into ephemeral or pet- levels. First, various characters in the play discuss chaos theory, as well as to have the mathemat- the Royal Society on the 18-19 October 2004. rified proofs. Ephemeral proofs are proofs and debate them. Thomasina is presented as ics explained to them. It was then fascinating The meeting was organized by Professors where the emphasis is on computing the having discovered key ideas relating to deter- to see them use this information to analyze Alan Bundy, Donald MacKenzie, Angus proof, while in petrified proofs the emphasis is ministic chaos, fractals, exponential growth of and deconstruct the play. The cast was so keen Macintyre and Sir Michael Atiyah, and on the ontology of the proof. The last talk of errors, mixing, the second law of thermody- to pursue this that they demanded a second brought Computer Scientists and working the day was by Professor Bundy (What is a namics and entropy, the difference between session focusing on fractals. I took along my Mathematicians together under the topic of Proof?). Here, he argued that schematic irreversibility and time-reversal symmetry, iterat- colleague Andrew Burbanks, who has thought proofs in mathematics. The proceedings of proofs explained the structure of some historic ed algorithms, and applications to population a good deal about art and mathematics and the meeting will be published in volume 363 proofs better than Hilbertian proofs and that dynamics. But she dies, tragically, before she can about public understanding of science. It is of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal they explained how persistent errors could publish her insights. Instead, her thoughts are hard for many of us to remember our feelings Society (Series A) this May. arise - illustrating his argument with an exam- reconstructed from her private papers by on first seeing fractals and on realizing how The first day consisted of four talks and ple taken from [1]. The panel discussion was Valentine Coverly, a present-day member of her such magnificent complexity can arise from ended with a panel meeting. Professor fielded by Dr Rod Chapman, Dr Lipton, and family with an interest in science and mathe- simple equations. Most of the cast had not MacKenzie opened with a talk entitled Professors Cliff Jones and Ursula Martin; and matics. He programs a computer to plot the iter- been exposed to this before, and one glance at Computing and the cultures of proving. After took open floor questions on Formal versus 26 ated maps Thomasina wrote about, and sees Andrew’s pictures put much of Stoppard’s text first noting that there a distinction between rigorous proof for verification. 27 that she anticipated many of the key develop- into context, for example his description of the proofs about computers (automata theory) The second day was the turn of the ments in complexity theory. It seems to me that Mandelbrot set and discussions in the play and proofs using a computer (proof assistant Mathematicians. Professor Michael Aschbacher chaos, unpredictability and entropy also under- about how a complex and unpredictable world software) of which the latter has only recently addressed the topic of Highly complex proofs pin many of the dramatic events portrayed in can emerge from simple Laws of Nature. emerged in the 1950s, MacKenzie argued that and implications of such proof by spotlighting the play. Bernard Nightingale’s attempts to The Department felt that this was a good a tension has arisen over what exactly is a the problems arising when proofs are long and reconstruct history from imperfect initial data opportunity to experiment with how we expose proof. Is it a social process where a paper has complicated (eg. the classification of finite sim- (incomplete evidence) lead him to conclusions our new undergraduates to mathematics, so we to convince the referees of a journal of its cor- ple groups). This raised questions like: do we that are completely incorrect – Byron did not persuaded the University to buy enough tickets rectness or is it a mechanical process drained need to move away from the stereotypical view fight Chater in a duel; in fact, Chater challenged to allow us to take all of our first-year students of semantic meaning and human intuition? Dr Hodge to a duel, but Hodge talked his way out to see the play. At the very least, we hope that Richard Lipton (a last minute substitute for of the fight. This may be taken as an example of this will encourage them to see mathematics as Professor Richard A DeMillo) carried on the small errors growing to the extent that they connected to other subjects, even arts subjects, theme with Social processes and mathematical render accurate prediction impossible, and also rather than isolated from them. proof in mathematics & computing: A quarter- as an example of irreversibility in a situation After one of the performances the century perspective touching on the point that is, in principle, time-reversal symmetric. Department invited the cast back for a that programs can be formally specified and Moreover, the way in which sexual intrigue party. Usually our parties are over by 10 pm, so correct programs can be seen as theorems causes the various relationships, initially ordered so to have one that only started at 11 pm whilst arguing for the supremacy of the ‘social by manners and etiquette, to degenerate may was something of a novelty. And while we processes’ in accepting proofs and the inabili- be thought of as an allegory of the role played might have been able to teach the cast ty of computer proofs to take part in these by entropy in the growth of disorder from something about mathematics, it was quite processes. Professor Henk Barendregt (substi- order, as described by the second law of ther- clear that they had a good deal to teach tuting for Professor Michael J.C. Gordon) modynamics. most (but not all!) of the mathematicians opened the afternoon session with a robust Interestingly, I know from personal experi- about partying. defence of why proofs by computers are need- ence how hard Rachel Kavanaugh and her cast The play is marvellous, the production was ed (The challenge of computer mathematics). worked to understand the mathematics and brilliant, and the cast … were a lot of fun! Outlining the difference between a romantic science underlying the play, because they Jon Keating proof (understood by a human mind) and a asked me to give them a tutorial. Talking to a School of Mathematics, University of Bristol cool proof (verified by machine), he pointed © Sidney Harris THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

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of proofs being simple, short, and elegant? Or ing at cross purposes. Mathematics covers a field theory, 1 Apr 05 – 31 Mar 06 Rimshans, J. (University of Latvia) Numerical is it possible consistently to write error-free wide range of discourses (e.g. Geometry, Kevlahan, N. (McMaster University, Canada) analysis of PDEs, Jan – Feb 05 proof in a mathematical vernacular? Professor Calculus, Algebra, Number Theory, Topology). Fluid dynamics, 1 Sep 04 – 30 Apr 05 Exeter University Paul J. Cohen then completely changed tack However, for a Computer Scientist, mathemat- Wettlaufer, J.S. (Yale University) Fluid dynam- Burylko, O. (Ukraine Academy of Sciences) and tone in his talk on Skolem and pessimism ics is usually discrete mathematics and was ics, 1 Jun – 31 Dec 05 Nonlinear dynamics, Jan – Feb 05 about proofs in mathematics. Here, Cohen portrayed at the meeting as being dominated Cambridge University (DPMMS) Heriot-Watt University offered an interesting reservation about the by code specification/verification and mecha- Alatancang (Inner Mongolia University) Jaworski, J.W. (Adam Mickiewicz University, theme of the meeting: namely, Skolem [2] nized term rewriting. Hence, it would have Probability, 15 Aug 04 – 14 Feb 05 Poland) Discrete mathematic, combinatori- pointed out that no axiom system can charac- been helpful to have defined in advance what Draief, M. (Université Denis Diderot) Operat- al probabilities, random graphs, cryptol- terize a unique model. This means that using an was meant by the word mathematics before ional research, Sep 04 – Jul 05 ogy, 26 Jul 04 – 25 Jul 05 axiomatic system to capture mathematics (à la going on to discuss mathematical proofs. He, W. (Nanjing Normal University) Locale Imperial College London Hilbert) is a futile exercise. Cohen concluded However, having said that, overall I really theory, 16 Sept 04 – 15 Sept 05 Choe, G.H. (Korea Advanced Inst of Sci & mysteriously with the assertion that all proofs enjoyed the meeting and felt very privileged Komatsu, T. (Hirosaki University, Japan) Tech) Dynamical systems, 10 Oct 04 – are by contradiction. Proof theory is where the to have attended it among many famous peo- Number theory, 11 Jan – 30 Jul 05 06 Jun 05 proof is the actual object under investigation, ple in the audience and the many famous sci- Liu, W. (Central South University, Changsha, Daskalopolous, P. (Columbia University, NY) and Professor MacIntyre followed with a talk entists whose portraits hung on the walls. Hunan) Algebra, 21 Oct 04 – 30 Sept 05 Partial differential equations in geometric looking at what proof theory has to offer [1] I. Lakatos. Proof and Refutations. Cambridge Markstrom, K. (Umeå, Sweden) Combin- analysis, 7 Jul 04 – 1 Aug 05 Mathematicians (Mathematical significance of University Press, 1999. atorics, 1 Sept 04 – 31 Aug 05 Dupuis, N. (Centre National de la Recherche 28 proof theory). The last talk before lunch was [2] T. Skolem. Some remarks on axiomatized Minda, D. (University of Cincinnati, USA) Scientifique, France) Physics, condensed- 29 about the experiment that the Annals of set theory (1922). In J. van Heijenoort, edi- Analysis, Geometry, 15 Nov 04 – 15 Apr 05 matter theory, 1 Sep 04 – 31 Aug 05 Mathematics conducted in order to review the tor, From Frege to Gödel: A Source Book in Orlov, D.O. (Steklov Math. Institute) Tisdell, C. (University of New South Wales, computer parts of Tom Hales’ computer-assist- Mathematical Logic, 1879-1931, pages Geometry, May 05 Australia) Dynamical systems, 15 Jan – ed proof of Kepler’s sphere packing conjecture 290-301, toExcel, New York, 2000. Cardiff University 14 Feb 05 (Professor Robert D. MacPherson, Machine Nimish Shah Chanane, B. (KFUPM, Dharan, Saudi Arabia) Witt, I. (Germany) Analysis and partial differ- computation and proof). LMS member Differential equations, Numerical analysis, ential equations, Apr 04 - May 05 The afternoon session was easier on the 1 Jul 04 – 1 Feb 05 Leeds University (Pure Mathematics) grey cells with Professor E. Brian Davis MATHEMATICIANS Honary, T.G. (Teacher Training University, Pirkovskii, A. (Moscow) Functional analysis, defending Pluralism in mathematics. The sub- Tehran, Iran) Functional analysis, 23 Aug 04 1 Oct 04 – 30 Sept 05 ject matter being referred to is the position VISITING THE UK IN 2005 – 1 Apr 05 Poliakov, M. (Moscow) Functional analysis, that constructive mathematics and classical Bristol University (Mathematics) Durham University 1 Oct 04 – 30 Sept 06 mathematics need not be feuding, but can Smilanski, U. (Weizmann Institute of Science) Chenaglou, A. (Sahand University of Liverpool University (Division of Theoretical live together in harmony. This left Sir Peter Applied mathematics, Jan – Jun 05 Technology, Iran) String theory, Quantum Physics) Swinnerton-Dyer to conclude the talks with a Bristol University (Engineering Mathematics) field theory, Sep 04 – Jun 05 Kurlin, V. (Moscow State University) Low- humorous rhetoric on the Justification of Yagasaki, K. (GFU University, Japan) Discrete Hussin, V. (Montreal, Canada) Super groups and dimensional topology and related algebra, mathematical statements. Like the first day, solitons, 10 Apr 04 – 10 Apr 05 superalgebras in mechanics, 17 Jan – 18 Mar 05 Dec 04 – Aug 06 the second day concluded with a panel dis- Brunel University Sampaio, M. (UFMG Brazil) Quantum field Li, W.G. (University of Petroleum, China) cussion session consisting of three Fields Imaizumi, J. (Tokyo University, Japan) theory, Jan 05 – Jan 06 Numerical analysis, Sept 04 - Aug 05 Medalists (Professors Jean-Pierre Serre, Paul Operational research, Apr 05 – Apr 06 Van Doorn, E. (Twente, Netherlands) Linkov, A. (Russian Academy of Science) J. Cohen, Sir Michael Atiyah) and was chaired Patkar, S.B. (Indian Institution of Technology, Probability; Birth–death processes, 25 Apr – Mathematical models of fracture, 1 Mar – by Professor MacIntyre, again responding to Bombay) Discrete optimisation, May – Jul 05 24 Jun 05 30 Apr 05 open floor questions. Cambridge University (DAMTP) Edinburgh University Mishuris, G. (University of Rzeszów) Integral equa- Evaluating a Scientific Meeting like this is Farge, M. (Laboratoire de Météorologie Boyd, D.W. (University of British Columbia) tions, models of fracture, 1 Aug 05 – 30 Jul 07 fraught with difficulties over objective and Dynamique, Ecole Normale Supérieure) Number theory, Sept 05 Sobczyk, K. (Polish Academy of Science) Stochastic subjective views and opinions. My own per- Fluid dynamics, 1 Jan – 30 Apr 05 O’Shea, D. (Mount Holyoke College, models of fracture, 1 May – 30 Jun 05 sonal feelings are that the Mathematicians Hashimoto, K. (University of Tokyo) String Massachusetts) Geometry, Computer alge- Trebicky, J. (Polish Academy of Science) Stochastic and Computer Scientists were sometimes talk- theory, Tachyon condensation, Boundary bra, 1 Feb – 30 Jun 05 models of fracture, 1 May – 30 Jun 05 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 333 January 2005

London School of Economics Portsmouth University Gal, S. (University of Haifa) Search games, (Cosmology & Gravitation) Euclidean Harmonic Analysis May – Jul 05 Soda, J. (Kyoto University) Brane-world gravity, Loughborough University 9 Feb – 9 Mar 05 LMS/EPSRC Short Course Mohammed, S. (Carbondale University, (Mathematics) School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh Southern Illinois) 1 Mar – 31 Aug 05 Zahedi, R. (Sharif University, Iran) Newcastle upon Tyne University Mathematical physics, Mathematical 10–15 April 2005 Marcantognini, S. (Institutor Venezolano) finance, Optimisation, Operational Organiser: Dr James Wright Operator theory, 1 Jul 04 – 30 Jun 05 research, 7 Oct 04 – 30 Apr 05 Nottingham University Queens University Belfast Euclidean Harmonic Analysis has its roots in the theory of Fourier series which in turn has its beginnings in the mathematical modelling of heat flow and wave propagation. Since the 1950s Semenov, Y, (National Space Agency, Turnsek, A. (University of Ljubljana) Operator a programme was initiated to free the theory of Fourier series from its one-dimensional setting Ukraine), Unsteady nonlinear hydrody- theory and functional analysis, 1 Sept 04 – and develop results in higher dimensions with important applications to elliptic (and then para- namics, free boundary problems, complex 28 Feb 05 bolic) partial differential equations. The tools and techniques for this theory were developed variable methods), 12 Jan – 17 Feb 05 Southampton University throughout the 1960s and early 1970s and became powerful enough to address some funda- Oxford University (Mathematical Institute) Ankenman, B.E. (Northwestern University, mental questions about the Fourier transform which had been beyond the scope of previous Arhangelskii, A. (Ohio, USA) Analytic topology Illinois USA) Statistics, Oct 04 – May 05 methods. Throughout the 1970s these basic issues evolved into a coherent programme of core Baribeau, L. (Quebec) Functional analysis, Dean, A.M. (Ohio State University, USA) problems which have been pursued by a great number of mathematicians until the present day. 1 Sep 05 – 31 Aug 06 Statistics, Nov 04 – Feb 05 Many new ideas and methods naturally arose during the pursuit of this programme and have 30 Derakhshan, J. (Jerusalem) Mathematical Steiner, B. (ETH, Zürich) Pure mathematics, now seen many interesting applications in combinatorics, number theory and nonlinear partial 31 differential equations. logic, 1 Oct 04 – 30 Sep 05 Oct 04 – Sep 05 Gehrke, M. (Denmark) Algebra, Several visits Surrey University This short course is aimed at postgraduate students in mathematics and will provide an intro- between now and July 05 Lawson, J. (Trinity University, San Antonio, duction to euclidean harmonic analysis, the links between central problems and applications to nonlinear partial differential equations. Hara, K. (Japan) Asymptotic expansion of Texas) Multisymplectic geometry and non- oscillatory integrals, 1 Oct 04 – 30 Sep 05 linear partial differential equations, Course I Introduction to euclidean harmonic analysis Harder, G. (Bonn) Geometry, 3-day visits each 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 23 May – 1 Jul 05 Dr Jonathan Bennett (Birmingham University) month until Easter 05 Sussex University Course II Nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equations Hassan, A. (Jerusalem) Mathematical Logic, Karadzhov, G. (Academy of Sciences, Sofia) Dr Nikolaos Bournaveas (Edinburgh University) 1 Oct 04 – 30 Jul 05 PDEs, 20 Jan – 10 Feb 05 Course III Central problems in euclidean harmonic analysis Li, C. (China) Mathematical biology, 1 Oct 04 University of Wales, Swansea Dr Laura Wisewell (University College London) – 31 Mar 05 Smolyanov, O.G. (Moscow State University) Course IV Model problems over finite fields Ljungmann, R. (Denmark), Topology, Functional integration and applications, Professor Anthony Carbery (Edinburgh University) Geometry, 1 Oct 04 – 30 Mar 05 Apr – May 05 Mena, F. (Portugal) General relativity, 1 Oct Warwick University (Mathematics Institute) The material presented will be accessible to first year research students. All courses will be sup- 03 – 30 Sep 05 Maeda, Y. (Keio University, Japan) Global analysis, plemented by tutorials and discussions. Further information may be found at the course web- site: www.maths.ed.ac.uk/~wright/Harmonic. Munoz, A. (Spain) Differential equations, Differential geometry, 1 Apr 04 – 31 May 05 20 Sep 04 – 29 Feb 05 Marden, A. (University of Minnesota) The registration fee is £100. The accommodation costs for all UK-based research students are Ransford, T.J. (Quebec) Functional analysis, Kleinian groups, 15 May – 15 Jul 05 covered by EPSRC. Participants must pay their own travel costs. EPSRC-supported students can expect that their registration fees and travel costs will be met by their departments from the 1 Sep 05 – 31 Aug 06 Tan, S.P. (Singapore) Hyperbolic geometry, EPSRC Doctoral Training Account. Scheerlinck, N. (Belgium) Mathematical biol- 1 Mar – 30 Apr 05 ogy, 1 Oct 04 – 31 Mar 05 Weiss, A. (Alberta University) Algebra, Application forms may be obtained from Isabelle Robinson, Administrative Officer, London Mathematical Society, De Morgan House, 57-58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS (email: Zheng, Z. (China) Scientific Computation, 20 Mar – 23 Apr 05 [email protected], fax: 020 7291 9978) or from the LMS website: PDE, 1 Mar 03 – 28 Feb 05 York University www.lms.ac.uk/activities/research_meet_com/short_course/23_poster.html Oxford University (Statistics) Cherednik, I. (University of North Carolina, USA) Numbers will be limited and those interested are advised to make an early application. The clos- Murdoch, D. (London, Ontario) Applied statis- Double affine Hecke algebras, 9 May – Jun 05 ing date for applications is Friday 18 February 2005. Completed forms should be returned to the tics, Statistical computing, 15 Jan – 12 Feb 05 Pinmonti, N. (University of Trento, Italy) Administrative Officer by email, fax or post (details above). and 24 Apr – 21 May 05 Quantum gravity, Jan – Feb 05 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 333 January 2005

LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

CECIL KING TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP

The London Mathematical Society annually awards a Cecil King Travel Scholarship in Mathematics to the value of £5,000 to a young mathematician of outstanding promise, to support a period of study or research abroad for a typical period of three months. Many mathematicians have found that such a visit has benefited both their mathematics and their career; the Society urges young mathematicians and their supervisors to consider seriously this opportunity. The award is competitive and based on a written proposal describing the intend- ed programme of study or research abroad and the benefits to be gained from such a visit. Applicants should normally be nationals of the UK or Republic of Ireland, under the age of 25 years, either registered for or having recently completed a doctoral 32 33 degree at a UK University.

The initial application should include: 1. a completed application form; 2. a short proposal (4 pages maximum) indicating the proposed programme of study abroad, the benefit of such an opportunity in advancing the candidate’s studies, and the Institution that the candidate wishes to visit; 3. a letter of support from the applicant’s Head of Department, or from his or her Research Supervisor.

Candidates selected for interview will be asked to approach the intended research institution or research leader to be visited, to confirm that a visit would indeed be welcomed if an award were made. At the end of the Scholarship, the student will be expected to write a short report indicating the activities and benefits gained from the visit. The Cecil King Travel Scholarship was established in 2001 by the Cecil King Memorial Fund. The award is made by the Council of the London Mathematical Society on the recommendation of the Cecil King Prize Committee, nominated by the Society’s Education Committee. Application forms for the 2005 Scholarship are available on the Society’s website (www.lms.ac.uk/activities/cecil_king/index.html) or from Isabelle Robinson at the Society. Closing date for applications: Friday 4 February 2005. The London Mathematical Society (ref: Cecil King/IR), De Morgan House, 57-58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS (tel: 020 7637 3686; email: [email protected]). THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 333 January 2005

CALENDAR OF EVENTS University, Lebanon (330) Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences 10 Risk Management Spitalfields Day, INI, This calendar lists Society meetings and Cambridge (333) QUANTITATIVE FINANCE: DEVELOPMENTS, other events publicised in the Newsletter. 18 Edinburgh Mathematical Society APPLICATIONS AND PROBLEMS Further information can be obtained from Meeting, Aberdeen University (330) the appropriate LMS Newsletter whose num- 21-23 Postgraduate Combinatorial (4 – 8 July 2005) ber is given in brackets. A fuller list of meet- Conference, Oxford University (333) Supported by the European Commission, Sixth Framework Programme – ings and events is given on the Society’s web- 21-23 Mathematical Neuroscience Meeting, Marie Curie Conferences and Training Courses - MSCF-CT-2004-516558 and site (www.lms.ac.uk/meetings/calendar.html). Royal Society of Edinburgh (333) 29-8 Apr Introduction to Recent JANUARY 2005 Applications of Model Theory Conference, 7 Yorkshire & Durham Geometry Day, INI, Cambridge (330) in association with the Newton Institute programme entitled Leeds University (333) Developments in Quantitative Finance (24 January to 22 July 2005) 9-12 Geometric, Spectral & Stochastic Analysis APRIL 2005 Organisers: V. Henderson (Princeton), D. Hobson (Bath), S. Pliska (Illinois), C. Rogers UK-Japan Winter School, Evesham (331) 4-7 Mathematics 2005, Liverpool University (Cambridge). 10-14 Twistor String Theory Workshop, (332) Oxford University (329) 10-15 Euclidean Harmonic Analysis Theme of conference: The objective of this conference is to bring together academics from 10-14 Lévy Processes Symposium, LMS/EPSRC Short Course, Edinburgh 34 various fields, including mathematicians, but also researchers from economics and finance, Manchester University (329) University (333) 35 together with industry practitioners, to discuss the latest developments in the theory of 13-14 J.H. Coates 60th Birthday 29 Edinburgh Mathematical Society mathematical finance, the application of this theory to current issues facing the industry Conference, INI, Cambridge (332) Meeting, Stirling University (330) and to identify the substantive problems confronting academic researchers and finance 17-20 Transport Equations & Multi-D professionals. Many individual themes within quantitative finance are covered elsewhere Hyperbolic Conservation Laws Lectures, MAY 2005 in the programme, and this conference will aim to promote the developments in those Bologna, Italy (332) 18 LMS Midlands Regional Meeting, areas to a wider audience, whilst simultaneously providing a forum for the discussion of advances in other areas within the field. 18 Patterns, Nonlinear Dynamics and Birmingham Applications Meeting, Cambridge 20 Edinburgh Mathematical Society Invited speakers: Y Ait-Sahalia (Princeton), P. Bank (Columbia), M. Baxter (Nomura), University (333) Meeting, St Andrews University (330) D. Becherer (Imperial), N. Branger (Frankfurt), M. Davis (Imperial), D. Duffie* (Stanford), 21 Edinburgh Mathematical Society R Frey (Leipzig), S Hodges (Warwick), L. Hughston (Kings), R. Jarrow* (Cornell), E. Jouini Meeting, Edinburgh University (330) JUNE 2005 (Ceremade), S Kou (Columbia), D. Kramkov (Carnegie-Mellon), M. Monoyios (Brunel), 26 Winter Combinatorics Meeting, Open 17 LMS Meeting, London P. Mykland (Chicago), E Platen (UTS) J-C Rochet (Toulouse) S. Ross (MIT) S. Shreve University (332) (Carnegie-Mellon), R Sircar (Princeton), M. Zervos (Kings). JULY 2005 *to be confirmed FEBRUARY 2005 8 LMS Northern Regional Meeting, York Location and cost: The Conference will take place at the Newton Institute and accommo- 2 Combinatorics Meeting, University 10-14 Mathematical Modelling and dation for participants will be provided in single study bedrooms with shared bathroom at College London (333) Applications International Conference Wolfson Court. The conference package, costing £440, includes accommodation, breakfast 18 Edinburgh Mathematical Society (ICTMA12), City University, London (321) and dinner from dinner on Sunday 3 July to breakfast on Saturday 9 July 2005, and lunch Meeting, Edinburgh University (330) 10-15 British Combinatorial Conference, and refreshments during the days that lectures take place. Self-supporting participants are 18 Postgraduate Open Day in Durham University (329) very welcome to apply. Mathematics, King's College London (333) 11-15 Inverse Problems in Engineering Further information and applications forms are available from the web at: 25 LMS Mary Cartwright Lecture, London (333) Conference: Theory & Practice, Cambridge www.newton.cam.ac.uk/programmes/DQF/dqfw02.html. Completed application forms 26 Research in Progress Meeting, Queen’s University (320) should be sent to Tracey Andrew, Programme and Conference Secretary, Isaac Newton College, Oxford (333) 11-15 Model Theory, Algebraic & Analytic Geo- Institute, 20 Clarkson Road, Cambridge CB3 0EH or via email metry Euro Conference, INI, Cambridge (332) ([email protected]). MARCH 2005 17-14 Aug Atlantic Association for Research 7-9 Research Trends in Science and in the Mathematical Sciences Summer Closing date for the receipt of applications is 28 February 2005. Technology Conference, American School, Dalhousie University, Canada (333) ABRAM SOMOILOVITCH BESICOVITCH DE MORGAN MEDALLIST 1950

Professor Besicovitch received the De Morgan ment of the theory of almost periodic func- Medal on 16 November 1950. Extract from tions; his solution of Kakeya's Problem in the President's address: ‘Professor Besicovitch 1927; his investigations on linearly measura- has played a leading part in recent develop- ble sets of points in the plane; his work on ments of the theory of sets of points and the fractional dimensional measure, by which theory of functions of a real variable. Among this subject was developed out of recogni- his many and important contributions to tion; his recent remarkable discoveries in con- these subjects I may mention: his develop- nection with the definition of surface area.’