The London Mathematical Society
THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY
NEWSLETTER No. 397 November 2010
Society 2010 ELECTIONS Committee for potential candi- Meetings dates for the 2011 elections was TO COUNCIL AND also included with the October and Events NOMINATING Newsletter. Members are also able to make direct nominations; 2010 COMMITTEE details will be given in the April Friday 19 November The ballot papers for the No- and May Newsletter next year. Annual General vember elections to Council and Meeting and Naylor Nominating Committee were cir- ANNUAL GENERAL Lecture, London culated with the October News- MEETING [pages 3] letter. Nominating Committee put forward names for each The Annual General Meeting of Monday 6 December Officer post; in addition mem- the Society will be held at 3.15 Society Meeting, bers proposed a further candi- pm on Friday 19 November 2010 ICMS, Edinburgh date for the Education Secretary at University College London. [page 5] post. A total of nine candidates The business shall be: have been proposed (eight by (i) the adoption of the Annual 2011 Nominating Committee, one by Report for 2009/10 Friday 25 February members) for the six vacancies of (ii) the report of the Treasurer Mary Cartwright Members-at-Large of Council. (iii) appointment of Auditors Lecture, Oxford Four names have been proposed (iv) elections to Council and [page 13] (all by Nominating Committee) for Nominating Committee two vacancies in the membership (v) presentation of certificates Friday 6 May of the Nominating Committee. to LMS prizewinners Women in Mathematics Please note that completed It is hoped that as many members Day, London ballot papers must be returned as possible will be able to attend. Tuesday 17 May by Thursday 11 November 2010. Fiona Nixon LMS–Gresham Lecture, Members should have re- Executive Secretary London ceived the following: a pink Friday 1 July (folded A4) ballot paper for LMS PRIZES 2011 the elections to Council; a blue London Call for Nominations A5 ballot paper for elections to Tuesday 19 July Nominating Committee; a white The London Mathematical Society Northern Regional A5 booklet with biographical welcomes nominations for the 2011 Meeting, Leeds details of candidates; a white re- prizes to recognise and celebrate the turn envelope. If you are missing achievements in and contributions to NEWSLETTER any of these items please contact all aspects of mathematics, including Duncan Turton at De Morgan applied mathematics, mathematical ONLINE: House ([email protected]). physics and mathematical aspects of Go to www.lms.ac.uk/ A separate form for suggest- computer science. newsletter ing names to the Nominating In 2011 the LMS Council expects
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NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]
to award: For further information and nomination • The Pólya Prize in recognition of out- forms, visit the LMS website (www.lms.ac.uk) standing creativity in, imaginative exposi- or contact Elizabeth Fisher, Secretary to the tion of, or distinguished contribution to, Prizes Committee at the Society (tel: 020 7927 mathematics within the United Kingdom 0807, email: [email protected]). • The Senior Whitehead Prize for work in, influence on or service to mathematics, or recognition of lecturing gifts in the field LMS ANNUAL DINNER of mathematics • The Naylor Prize and Lectureship in Applied The 2010 Annual Dinner will be held after the Mathematics for work in, and influence on, Annual General Meeting at 7.30 pm on Friday and contributions to applied mathematics 19 November at The Russell Hotel, London and/or the applications of mathematics, WC1. The cost for members and their guests and lecturing gifts is £45 per person, which is for a three-course • The Berwick Prize in recognition of meal and wine. Members wishing to attend an outstanding piece of mathematical should make cheques payable to ‘London research by an LMS member and actually Mathematical Society’ and also indicate if published by the Society during the eight they have any dietary requirements and send years ending on 31 December 2010 to: Leanne Marshall, London Mathemati- • The Whitehead Prizes for work in and cal Society, De Morgan House, 57–58 Russell influence on mathematics Square, London WC1B 4HS. Payment should The closing date for nominations is Friday arrive by Monday 8 November. Any queries 14 January 2011. should be sent to [email protected].
LMS Newsletter www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter Editorial office: [email protected]; London Mathematical Society, De Morgan House, 57–58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS (t: 020 7637 3686; f: 020 7323 3655) Events calendar: please send updates and corrections to [email protected] General Editor: Mr A.J.S. Mann ([email protected]) Reports Editor: Dr S.A. Huggett ([email protected]) Reviews Editor: Dr C.M. Roney-Dougal ([email protected]) Administrative Editor: S.M. Oakes ([email protected]) Typeset by the London Mathematical Society at De Morgan House; printed by Holbrooks Printers Ltd. Publication dates and deadlines: published monthly, except August. Items and advertisements by the first day of the month prior to publication, or the closest preceding working day. Advertising: for rates and guidelines, see www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter/ratecard.html News items and notices in the Newsletter are free to be used elsewhere unless otherwise stated, although attribution is requested when reproducing whole articles. Contributions to the Newsletter are made under a non-exclusive licence; please contact the author for the rights to reproduce. The LMS cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of information in the Newsletter. Views expressed do not necessarily represent the views or policy of the London Mathematical Society. Charity registration number: 252660.
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For further information and nomination forms, visit the LMS website (www.lms.ac.uk) or contact Elizabeth Fisher, Secretary to the LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY Prizes Committee at the Society (tel: 020 7927 0807, email: [email protected]). ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND NAYLOR LECTURE LMS ANNUAL DINNER
The 2010 Annual Dinner will be held after the Friday 19 November 2010 Annual General Meeting at 7.30 pm on Friday 19 November at The Russell Hotel, London Sir David Davies Lecture Theatre, University College London, WC1. The cost for members and their guests Roberts Building, Torrington Place, WC1E 7JE is £45 per person, which is for a three-course meal and wine. Members wishing to attend Programme: should make cheques payable to ‘London Mathematical Society’ and also indicate if 3.15–3.30 Opening of the meeting they have any dietary requirements and send Annual General Meeting to: Leanne Marshall, London Mathemati- cal Society, De Morgan House, 57–58 Russell LMS business, including Elections to Council and Nominating Square, London WC1B 4HS. Payment should Committee and the presentation of certificates to the arrive by Monday 8 November. Any queries 2010 LMS prize winners should be sent to [email protected]. 3.30–4.30 Helen Byrne (Nottingham) Modelling Matters in Medicine and Biology LMS Newsletter www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter 4.30–4.55 Tea Editorial office: [email protected]; London Mathematical Society, De Morgan House, 57–58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS (t: 020 7637 3686; f: 020 7323 3655) 4.55–5.00 Announcement of Election Results Events calendar: please send updates and corrections to [email protected] General Editor: Mr A.J.S. Mann ([email protected]) 5.00–6.00 Philip Maini (Oxford) Reports Editor: Dr S.A. Huggett ([email protected]) 2010 Naylor Lecture Reviews Editor: Dr C.M. Roney-Dougal ([email protected]) Modelling Aspects of Solid Tumour Growth Administrative Editor: S.M. Oakes ([email protected]) Typeset by the London Mathematical Society at De Morgan House; printed by Holbrooks Printers Ltd. Followed by a Reception at De Morgan House. Publication dates and deadlines: published monthly, except August. Items and advertisements by the first day of the month prior to publication, or the closest preceding working day. The Naylor Lecture is given by the winner of the 2009 Naylor Prize Advertising: for rates and guidelines, see www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter/ratecard.html in Applied Mathematics. News items and notices in the Newsletter are free to be used elsewhere unless otherwise stated, although attribution is requested when reproducing whole articles. Contributions to the Newsletter There are funds available to contribute in part to the expenses of are made under a non-exclusive licence; please contact the author for the rights to reproduce. The members of the Society or research students to attend the meeting. LMS cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of information in the Newsletter. Views expressed Requests for support, and any other queries about the AGM, should do not necessarily represent the views or policy of the London Mathematical Society. be sent to Isabelle Robinson ([email protected]). Charity registration number: 252660.
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NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]
ANNUAL LMS subscription. Once an order for an electronic version has been processed by the LMS, your SUBSCRIPTION 2010–11 email address will be passed to Oxford Uni- Members are reminded that their annual versity Press who will contact you with details subscription, including payment for publica- on how to access the journals. tions, for the period November 2010 – October Isabelle Robinson 2011 is due on 1 November 2010, and Group Head (Society & Grants) should be paid by 31 December 2010 at the latest. In the case of members who already 2010 SHAW PRIZE IN have a Direct Debit set up, no action need be taken. MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES All members should now have received a The Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences has reminder via email or letter, detailing how to been awarded to Jean Bourgain (Institute for pay their subscription. If you have not received Advanced Study, USA) for his profound work a reminder, please contact the Membership in mathematical analysis and its application Department (email: [email protected]; to partial differential equations, mathemati- tel.: 020 7291 9973/7). cal physics, combinatorics, number theory, ergodic theory and theoretical computer sci- Rates ence. For further information about the Shaw The annual subscription to the London Mathe- Prizes visit the website at www.shawprize.org. matical Society for 2010–11 is: The above item is taken from the 43rd issue of the IMU • Ordinary membership £51.50 electronic newsletter IMU Net (see www.mathunion.org/ • Concessions on Ordinary membership: IMU-Net). – Reciprocity £25.75 – Career break or part-time working £13.50 Balzan Prize for • Associate membership £13.50 SET STUDENT OF THE YEAR Members also have the option to pay their Mathematics European Mathematical Society subscription Jacob Palis (Brazil), Federal University of Rio AWARDS via the LMS (£23) and subscribe to the Journal de Janeiro, National Institute of Pure and Ap- The winners of the 2010 Science, Engineer- of the EMS (£88). plied Mathematics (IMPA), has been awarded ing & Technology Student of the Year Awards The member prices of the Society’s journals the Balzan Prize for Mathematics (pure or were announced at a ceremony in the Lon- for 2011 are: applied) for “his fundamental contributions don Hilton Hotel on 3 September. Record * * Print Online Print+Online to the Mathematical Theory of Dynamical numbers of entries were received from every Bulletin 53.00 42.00 64.00 £ £ £ Systems”. For more information about the major university in the United Kingdom and Journal £101.00 £81.00 £121.00 prize winner and the International Balzan Ireland, and judges paid tribute to the ex- Proceedings £106.00 £85.00 £127.00 Nonlinearity (except N. America) (N. America) Foundation, visit www.balzan.org. ceptional quality of this year’s work. In all 45 students were shortlisted in fifteen different £72.00 £93.00 JCM (electronic) — free — EUROPEAN CONGRESS categories. (*inclusive of VAT) The Leadership Forum award for the best Members now have the choice of taking an OF MATHEMATICS mathematics student of the year was given to electronic subscription to the Bulletin, Jour- The 6th European Congress of Mathematics, Natalie Keating of Strathclyde University for nal or Proceedings of the LMS at a discount under the auspices of the European Math- her project on How do Droplets Evaporate?. of 20% on the standard price for a print sub- ematical Society, will take place in Kraków, Natalie’s project takes a clear practical prob- scription. Alternatively, members may receive Poland from 2 to 7 July 2012. For further in- lem, translates it into mathematics and solves both the print and electronic versions for an formation and to pre-register, visit the web- it. The LMS and IMA provided judges for the additional 20% above the price of the print site at www.6ecm.pl. award, commenting that Natalie will make
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subscription. Once an order for an electronic version has been processed by the LMS, your LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY email address will be passed to Oxford Uni- versity Press who will contact you with details on how to access the journals. MEETING Isabelle Robinson Group Head (Society & Grants) Monday 6 December 2010 2010 SHAW PRIZE IN Institute of Geography, Drummond Street, University of Edinburgh MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES Speakers: The Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences has Yujiro Kawamata (Tokyo) been awarded to Jean Bourgain (Institute for Yum-Tong Siu (Harvard) Advanced Study, USA) for his profound work The LMS Meeting will take place on the first day of the conference in mathematical analysis and its application Birational Geometry, to be held at the Institute of Geography, University of to partial differential equations, mathemati- Edinburgh, from 6 to 10 December. Further information can be found at cal physics, combinatorics, number theory, ergodic theory and theoretical computer sci- www.maths.ed.ac.uk/cheltsov/shokurov/index.html. ence. For further information about the Shaw There are limited funds available to contribute in part to the expenses of Prizes visit the website at www.shawprize.org. members of the Society or research students to attend the meeting. Contact
The above item is taken from the 43rd issue of the IMU Isabelle Robinson ([email protected]) for further information. electronic newsletter IMU Net (see www.mathunion.org/ IMU-Net). All are welcome to attend. Balzan Prize for SET STUDENT OF THE YEAR an excellent ambassador for mathematics Mathematics and engineering, having demonstrated that Jacob Palis (Brazil), Federal University of Rio AWARDS her background in engineering allows her to de Janeiro, National Institute of Pure and Ap- The winners of the 2010 Science, Engineer- appreciate mathematics in a broader STEM plied Mathematics (IMPA), has been awarded ing & Technology Student of the Year Awards (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math- the Balzan Prize for Mathematics (pure or were announced at a ceremony in the Lon- ematics) context. applied) for “his fundamental contributions don Hilton Hotel on 3 September. Record to the Mathematical Theory of Dynamical numbers of entries were received from every COLLINGWOOD Systems”. For more information about the major university in the United Kingdom and prize winner and the International Balzan Ireland, and judges paid tribute to the ex- MEMORIAL PRIZE Foundation, visit www.balzan.org. ceptional quality of this year’s work. In all 45 The 2010 Collingwood Memorial Prize has students were shortlisted in fifteen different been awarded to Thomas D. Oliver, St Cuth- EUROPEAN CONGRESS categories. bert’s Society, University of Durham. The The Leadership Forum award for the best Collingwood Memorial Prize, established OF MATHEMATICS mathematics student of the year was given to in memory of Sir Edward Collingwood, FRS, The 6th European Congress of Mathematics, Natalie Keating of Strathclyde University for President of the London Mathematical Soci- under the auspices of the European Math- her project on How do Droplets Evaporate?. ety 1969–70, is awarded to a final-year math- ematical Society, will take place in Kraków, Natalie’s project takes a clear practical prob- ematics student at the University of Durham Poland from 2 to 7 July 2012. For further in- lem, translates it into mathematics and solves who intends to continue to a higher degree formation and to pre-register, visit the web- it. The LMS and IMA provided judges for the in mathematics at Durham or any other site at www.6ecm.pl. award, commenting that Natalie will make university.
Nov10-NL.indd 5 22/10/2010 13:39:30 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY
NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]
Nov10-NL.indd 6 22/10/2010 13:39:32 www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected] No. 397 November 2010
Nov10-NL.indd 7 22/10/2010 13:39:33 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY
NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]
INSTITUT DES HAUTES William Hodge Fellowships 2011/2012 disciplines of each division of the Academy, to a French or foreign scholar who has con- ÉTUDES SCIENTIFIQUES In 2000 the EPSRC committee reviewing IHÉS tributed to the development of science in a The Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques suggested that the EPSRC and IHÉS offer decisive way, both through the originality of (IHÉS), located in Bures-sur-Yvette (France), each year two one-year fellowships bearing his/her personal research and by his/her in- welcomes each year up to 250 mathemati- the name of Sir William Hodge, the eminent ternational presence and the stimulating in- cians and theoretical physicists from all over British mathematician. The fellowships en- fluence which he/she will have had through the world for research periods ranging from able outstanding young mathematicians and the creation of a true school of research. The two to three weeks up to one or two years. theoretical physicists to spend time at IHÉS. worked carried out will have concerned an Created in 1958, IHÉS is an international Fellows are encouraged to have a UK-based important field of fundamental research and research institute, registered as a Foundation mentor and to be in contact with the UK shed new light upon and brought about a in the public interest since 1981. Its mission is mathematics community. greater understanding of the discipline in to support and develop theoretical research Applicants must have a PhD in Mathemati- question. Some previous winners are: in mathematical sciences, physics and more cal Sciences or Theoretical Physics obtained in 2002 Richard L. Garwin (USA) recently, at the interface with biology and 2009, 2010 or in early 2011. One of the two 2003 David Sabatini (USA) medicine. Support for IHÉS comes from sev- grants will be awarded to an applicant who 2004 David J. Gross (USA) eral sources: the French Ministry of Research, has spent at least the preceding nine months 2005 Ronald M. Evans (USA) several European research agencies among at a UK academic institution or has just grad- 2006 Peter Goldreich (USA) which the Engineering and Physical Sciences uated from a UK institution. Applications will 2007 Tomas Hökfelt (Sweden) Research Council (EPSRC), the US National be reviewed and selection made based on the 2008 Susan Solomon (USA) Science Foundation, the Max-Planck-Gesells- sole criterion of excellence in research by the 2009 Robert A. Weinberg (USA) chaft, the Swiss National Science Founda- IHÉS Scientific Council in December 2010. The For further information about the Académie tion, and also some private foundations and Committee consists of the Permanent Profes- des Sciences visit the website at www. companies. sors, the Director, and the external members academie-sciences.fr. EPSRC has been supporting IHÉS for a (the list can be found above). The fellowship number of years, fostering closer links be- would start in Autumn 2011. MATHEMATICS POLICY tween British and French mathematical re- Applications should be made on the IHÉS search centres. British mathematicians and website (www.ihes.fr) and should include: ROUND UP theoretical physicists are invited to apply to the application form, a cover letter, a CV, a Comprehensive Spending Review IHÉS for visits (for more information, please publication list, a research project, two or At the time of writing details of the govern- go to www.ihes.fr). Their visit can be an three letters of recommendation, and a pro- ment’s Comprehensive Spending Review had opportunity to work with researchers from posal for a UK mentor. not yet been published. other research groups in the Paris area. Deadline for applications: 18 November 2010. Director: Jean-Pierre Bourguignon For more information contact: IHÉS – 35, Cuts in the UK science budget Permanent Professors: Thibault Damour, route de Chartres, F-91440 Bures-sur-Yvette, Business Secretary Vince Cable has unveiled Mikhael Gromov, Maxim Kontsevich, Laurent France, tel: +33 1 6092 6605, fax: +33 1 6092 plans for a cut in public funding for scientific Lafforgue, Nikita Nekrasov 6609, email: [email protected], website: www. research. In a speech at Queen Mary, Univer- Honorary Professor: David Ruelle ihes.fr. sity of London in September, Cable urged Léon Motchane Chair: Alain Connes universities to do ‘more for less’ and said tax- Louis Michel Chairs: Michael Douglas, LA GRANDE MÉDAILLE payers should only back research that has a Samson Shatashvili, Ali Chamseddine commercial use or was academically outstand- Long-term CNRS visitors: Ofer Gabber, Dirk The Académie des Sciences, Institut de France, ing. He also suggested that universities find Kreimer, Christophe Soulé has awarded the 2010 Grande Médaille to Sir ways of earning money from research, includ- External Members of the Scientific Council: Michael Atiyah, OM, FRS, FRSE. The Grande ing from business, so relying less on the state George Papanicolaou, Gerd Faltings, Gabriele Médaille, created in 1997, is a distinction and taxpayers’ money. A full transcript of the Veneziano, Bertrand Duplantier, Ray Goldstein awarded annually, in rotation, in the relevant speech is available at www.bis.gov.uk/news.
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William Hodge Fellowships 2011/2012 disciplines of each division of the Academy, Universities and scientists reacted to his to a French or foreign scholar who has con- assertion that only research that was com- In 2000 the EPSRC committee reviewing IHÉS tributed to the development of science in a mercially useful or academically outstanding suggested that the EPSRC and IHÉS offer decisive way, both through the originality of should be funded. Royal Society President each year two one-year fellowships bearing his/her personal research and by his/her in- Lord Rees said: “It is crucial that short-term the name of Sir William Hodge, the eminent ternational presence and the stimulating in- austerity should not undermine our science British mathematician. The fellowships en- fluence which he/she will have had through and innovation capacity.” Imran Khan, Direc- able outstanding young mathematicians and the creation of a true school of research. The tor of the Campaign for Science and Engi- theoretical physicists to spend time at IHÉS. worked carried out will have concerned an neering, said: “It’s depressing that in one of Fellows are encouraged to have a UK-based important field of fundamental research and the most exciting scientific eras humanity has mentor and to be in contact with the UK shed new light upon and brought about a ever seen, Vince Cable had nothing exciting mathematics community. greater understanding of the discipline in or inspiring to say about government policy Applicants must have a PhD in Mathemati- question. Some previous winners are: in this area.” cal Sciences or Theoretical Physics obtained in 2002 Richard L. Garwin (USA) The Institute of Physics (IOP) has warned 2009, 2010 or in early 2011. One of the two 2003 David Sabatini (USA) Chancellor George Osborne that a significant grants will be awarded to an applicant who 2004 David J. Gross (USA) reduction in science funding could reduce has spent at least the preceding nine months 2005 Ronald M. Evans (USA) investment in hi-tech research and devel- at a UK academic institution or has just grad- 2006 Peter Goldreich (USA) opment. IOP President Dame Jocelyn Bell uated from a UK institution. Applications will 2007 Tomas Hökfelt (Sweden) Burnell called the proposed cuts – thought be reviewed and selection made based on the 2008 Susan Solomon (USA) to be between 15% and 30% – ‘disastrously sole criterion of excellence in research by the 2009 Robert A. Weinberg (USA) short-sighted’. IHÉS Scientific Council in December 2010. The For further information about the Académie The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Committee consists of the Permanent Profes- des Sciences visit the website at www. supported Cable in his decision to focus on sors, the Director, and the external members academie-sciences.fr. excellent research. Dr Richard Pike, Chief (the list can be found above). The fellowship Executive of the RSC, said “The current fi- would start in Autumn 2011. MATHEMATICS POLICY nancial situation is clearly unsustainable and Applications should be made on the IHÉS we must prioritise. The key question is the website (www.ihes.fr) and should include: ROUND UP shape of Higher Education needed: what the application form, a cover letter, a CV, a Comprehensive Spending Review will this new system look like? We need publication list, a research project, two or At the time of writing details of the govern- to prioritise spending on areas where UK three letters of recommendation, and a pro- ment’s Comprehensive Spending Review had research is world class.” posal for a UK mentor. not yet been published. Deadline for applications: 18 November 2010. Losing science talent For more information contact: IHÉS – 35, Cuts in the UK science budget John Krebs, Chair of the House of Lords Sci- route de Chartres, F-91440 Bures-sur-Yvette, Business Secretary Vince Cable has unveiled ence and Technology Committee wrote to Sci- France, tel: +33 1 6092 6605, fax: +33 1 6092 plans for a cut in public funding for scientific ence Minister David Willetts to warn that cuts 6609, email: [email protected], website: www. research. In a speech at Queen Mary, Univer- in the government’s science budget will lead ihes.fr. sity of London in September, Cable urged to a brain drain of talent from the UK. Lord universities to do ‘more for less’ and said tax- Krebs canvassed six leading research universi- LA GRANDE MÉDAILLE payers should only back research that has a ties – Manchester, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperi- commercial use or was academically outstand- al College London, University College London The Académie des Sciences, Institut de France, ing. He also suggested that universities find and Edinburgh – and ascertained that several has awarded the 2010 Grande Médaille to Sir ways of earning money from research, includ- leading researchers had already lost scientists Michael Atiyah, OM, FRS, FRSE. The Grande ing from business, so relying less on the state to overseas universities and warned that a Médaille, created in 1997, is a distinction and taxpayers’ money. A full transcript of the cut in funding would raise ‘significant risks’ awarded annually, in rotation, in the relevant speech is available at www.bis.gov.uk/news. to the UK’s scientific research base. (Continued on the next page.)
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NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]
Cutting research units • From 1999/2000 to 2008/09 there was a SCHOOL MATHEMATICS BRIEFING FOR MPs AND A report by Universities UK – The Future of downward trend in the proportion of Research – says that to maintain excellence men among students enrolled in higher POLICY MAKERS in UK science the government may have no education institutions. Public rhetoric in recent years indicates choice but to reduce the number of research • Female students are in the majority at that mathematics is seen as important; and units it funds. The paper suggests a way ‘to all modes and levels, except for full-time we have seen welcome increases in A-level reduce the number of units supported by postgraduates (who are dominated by entries and in undergraduate applications. quality-related funding by a fifth by limit- non-UK students) where male students There have also been markedly improved ing QR funding to groups where more than predominate. scores (on international comparisons) in 10% of the activity is rated at 4* and more For further information visit the website Year 5. But there remain serious grounds than 25% is rated at 3* or above’. The report www.universitiesuk.ac.uk. for concern: performance in Year 9 remains makes no firm proposals but rather outlines inadequate; the 2007 National Curriculum starting points for discussion. For further in- Royal Society Kavli Education Medal is a mess, and, since QCDA is to be abol- formation visit www.universitiesuk.ac.uk. The first ever Royal Society Kavli Education ished, there is no clear mechanism for revis- Award has been awarded to Professor Celia ing it; changes at GCSE are already causing Education report Hoyles from the London Knowledge Lab, problems at A-level; and the whole 16–19 The Organisation for Economic Cooperation Institute of Education, University of Lon- scene seems to be up for grabs. and Development’s (OECD) annual report has don. The selection committee recognised At the same time significant voices from 10 found that traditional ‘big hitters’ in higher Professor Hoyles’ “individual contribution unexpected directions have rediscovered education such as the UK and the US are los- to mathematics education at every stage in the importance of teaching mathematics in ing their allure for international students. her career”. As Chief Adviser for Mathemat- a way that reflects the essence of the disci- Five countries – Australia, France, Germany, ics to the UK Government, Professor Hoyles pline. So it seemed desirable to try to ar- the UK and the US – still hosted half of the was “pivotal in raising the profile of math- world’s overseas students in 2008. However, ematics within Whitehall, ensuring that rig- the US share of the market has fallen from orous research had a direct impact on policy 26% to 19% since 2000, while Russia, South development”. The medal will be awarded Korea, Australia and New Zealand have biennially in recognition of a distinguished gained ground. The UK market share fell by contribution made by an individual to sci- 2% in the same period. For further informa- ence or mathematics education. Professor tion visit www.oecd.org. Hoyles will give a lecture and be awarded the medal by the President of the Royal Soci- Trends in higher education over the past decade ety at an event in January 2011. Universities UK has published a report on Patterns of higher education institutions in International Review of Mathematical Sciences the UK. This is the latest volume in a series This is a reminder that the Review takes of annual Patterns reports looking at trends place in December 2010. It is part of a se- in the higher-education sector over the past ries of international reviews organised by decade, from 1999/2000 to 2008/09. This edi- EPSRC (www.epsrc.ac.uk) in conjunc- tion also looks at trends in higher education tion with learned societies and other key among the different countries and regions of stakeholders to provide an independent the UK. Some key points: assessment of the quality and impact of • Across the UK, undergraduate enrolments UK research. More information about the in higher education institutions have Review will appear in future editions of this increased by more than 28 per cent overall Newsletter. in the 10-year period from 1999/2000 to John Johnston 2008/09. Mathematics Promotion Unit
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• From 1999/2000 to 2008/09 there was a SCHOOL MATHEMATICS BRIEFING FOR MPs AND downward trend in the proportion of men among students enrolled in higher POLICY MAKERS education institutions. Public rhetoric in recent years indicates range a meeting at which selected officials • Female students are in the majority at that mathematics is seen as important; and and politicians might learn of, and have a all modes and levels, except for full-time we have seen welcome increases in A-level chance to discuss these developments. postgraduates (who are dominated by entries and in undergraduate applications. The mathematical community does not at non-UK students) where male students There have also been markedly improved present have ways of regularly cultivating predominate. scores (on international comparisons) in links with politicians, officials and those For further information visit the website Year 5. But there remain serious grounds in other societies who influence policy. I www.universitiesuk.ac.uk. for concern: performance in Year 9 remains therefore proposed to organise an inde- inadequate; the 2007 National Curriculum pendent meeting, and was delighted that Royal Society Kavli Education Medal is a mess, and, since QCDA is to be abol- Council agreed to provide a small sum, and The first ever Royal Society Kavli Education ished, there is no clear mechanism for revis- to make De Morgan House available. Award has been awarded to Professor Celia ing it; changes at GCSE are already causing So on 15 September, 25–30 participants Hoyles from the London Knowledge Lab, problems at A-level; and the whole 16–19 – including five MPs, five senior civil Institute of Education, University of Lon- scene seems to be up for grabs. servants, five representatives of other don. The selection committee recognised At the same time significant voices from societies, and the Chairs of the main mathe- Professor Hoyles’ “individual contribution unexpected directions have rediscovered matical groupings (ACME, NCETM, JMC) – 11 to mathematics education at every stage in the importance of teaching mathematics in enjoyed a stimulating morning exploring her career”. As Chief Adviser for Mathemat- a way that reflects the essence of the disci- the nature of school mathematics. The em- ics to the UK Government, Professor Hoyles pline. So it seemed desirable to try to ar- phasis was on discussion – stimulated by was “pivotal in raising the profile of math- ematics within Whitehall, ensuring that rig- orous research had a direct impact on policy development”. The medal will be awarded biennially in recognition of a distinguished contribution made by an individual to sci- ence or mathematics education. Professor Hoyles will give a lecture and be awarded the medal by the President of the Royal Soci- ety at an event in January 2011.
International Review of Mathematical Sciences This is a reminder that the Review takes place in December 2010. It is part of a se- ries of international reviews organised by EPSRC (www.epsrc.ac.uk) in conjunc- tion with learned societies and other key stakeholders to provide an independent assessment of the quality and impact of UK research. More information about the Review will appear in future editions of this Newsletter. John Johnston Mathematics Promotion Unit
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Paul Andrews (Cambridge), who showed VISIT OF video clips of continental classrooms (fo- cusing on teaching linear equations); Anne PROFESSOR E. TADMOR Watson (Oxford), who explored the hidden Under the auspices of the North British Dif- subtlety of primary school concepts; and ferential Equations Seminar, Professor Eitan Tim Oates (Cambridge Assessment) who Tadmor (University of Maryland) will be in analysed how curriculum and assessment the UK from 8 to 16 November 2010. He will should interact. give the following lectures: For what it is worth, all five of the MPs • Linear equations in critical regularity and most of the officials have since ex- spaces: Hierarchical construction of their pressed their appreciation. I am grateful to nonlinear solutions, Tuesday 9 November all who helped make this event possible; at 3 pm, Maxwell Centre, Edinburgh but it would be good if we could find regu- • From particle to kinetic and hydrodynamic lar ways of cultivating such evident sympa- descriptions of flocking, Thursday 11 thy and enthusiasm. November at 4 pm, School of Mathematics Tony Gardiner and Statistics, University of Glasgow University of Birmingham • Entropy stable approximations of Navier– Stokes equations with no artificial numeri- 12 INTEGRABLE DAY IN cal viscosity, Friday 12 November at 3 pm, Frank Adams 1, Alan Turing Building, LOUGHBOROUGH School of Mathematics, University of A half-day workshop on Integrable Systems Manchester and Orthogonal Polynomials will be held at • Spectral dynamics and critical thresholds in Loughborough University on 26 November nonlinear convection equations, Monday 2010. The speakers are: 15 November at 3 pm, School of Math- • Yang Chen (Imperial) Orthogonal poly- ematics, University of Leeds nomials, Painlevé equations and wireless For further information visit the website at communication www.maths.leeds.ac.uk/applied/NBDES. • Martin Hallnäs (Loughborough) Q-operators and multivariable special functions VISIT OF • Frank Nijhoff (Leeds) Elliptic orthogonal polynomials and a higher-order generali- PROFESSOR B. PARSHALL zation of the discrete-time Toda equation Professor Brian Parshall (University of Vir- • Alexander Sergeev (Saratov, Russia) ginia) will be visiting the UK from 6 to 13 Jacobi–Trudy and Giambelli formulae for November. His research interests are in repre- generalised Schur polynomials sentation theory. Professor Parshall will give The meeting is part of a collaborative seminars at: workshop series on Classical and Quantum • York University, Monday 8 November at Integrability (http://tinyurl.com/3ajvfob) sup- 4.15 pm ported by an LMS grant, involving Edinburgh, • Manchester University, Tuesday 9 November Glasgow, Leeds and Loughborough Universi- at 4 pm ties. Funds may be available to support the • Lancaster University, Friday 12 November attendance of research students. Enquiries at 4 pm should be addressed to the organizer Sasha For further information contact Dr Paul Veselov ([email protected] or 01509 Levy ([email protected]). The visit is 222866). supported by an LMS Scheme 2 grant.
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VISIT OF PROFESSOR E. TADMOR LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY Under the auspices of the North British Dif- ferential Equations Seminar, Professor Eitan Tadmor (University of Maryland) will be in MARY CARTWRIGHT MEETING the UK from 8 to 16 November 2010. He will give the following lectures: Friday 25 February 2011 • Linear equations in critical regularity spaces: Hierarchical construction of their Oxford University Museum of Natural History nonlinear solutions, Tuesday 9 November at 3 pm, Maxwell Centre, Edinburgh • From particle to kinetic and hydrodynamic descriptions of flocking, Thursday 11 Programme: November at 4 pm, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow 3.30 Opening of the meeting • Entropy stable approximations of Navier– Stokes equations with no artificial numeri- Peter Donnelly (Oxford) cal viscosity, Friday 12 November at 3 pm, Modelling Genes 13 Frank Adams 1, Alan Turing Building, School of Mathematics, University of 4.30 Tea Manchester • Spectral dynamics and critical thresholds in 5.00 Mary Cartwright Lecture nonlinear convection equations, Monday 15 November at 3 pm, School of Math- Alison Etheridge (Oxford) ematics, University of Leeds For further information visit the website at Evolution in a Spatial www.maths.leeds.ac.uk/applied/NBDES. Continuum Post Evening Wales South the of Courtesy VISIT OF Mary Cartwright PROFESSOR B. PARSHALL Professor Brian Parshall (University of Vir- A reception will be held after the meeting at the Mathematics Institute ginia) will be visiting the UK from 6 to 13 November. His research interests are in repre- followed by a dinner at the Ashmolean Museum at a cost of £30 per sentation theory. Professor Parshall will give person, inclusive of wine. Contact Isabelle Robinson (isabelle.robinson@ seminars at: lms.ac.uk) by 18 February if you would like to attend. • York University, Monday 8 November at 4.15 pm • Manchester University, Tuesday 9 November There are limited funds available to contribute in part to the ex- at 4 pm penses of members of the Society or research students to at- • Lancaster University, Friday 12 November tend the meeting. Contact Duncan Turton/Elizabeth Fisher at 4 pm For further information contact Dr Paul ([email protected]) for further information. Levy ([email protected]). The visit is supported by an LMS Scheme 2 grant.
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MEETING TO MARK THE RETIREMENT OF ROB CURTIS There will be a meeting at the School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham on Wednesday 10 November 2010 to mark the retirement of Professor Robert Curtis. The talks will start at 2 pm and be given by: • Peter Rowley (Manchester) • Sergey Shpectorov (Birmingham) • Rob Wilson (Queen Mary, London) In the evening there will be a celebratory dinner. For more details visit the website at www.mat.bham.ac.uk/curtisret.shtml. Rob Curtis is one of the five authors of The Atlas of Finite Simple Groups and is 14 well known for his many significant con- tributions to finite group theory and especially to the understanding of the sporadic simple groups. Rob came to
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MEETING TO MARK THE Birmingham in 1980 and has served as Head of School. His leadership in the RETIREMENT OF ROB CURTIS School and nationally has been central There will be a meeting at the School of in maintaining Birmingham’s reputation Mathematics, University of Birmingham as a leading mathematics department. on Wednesday 10 November 2010 to mark Rob has been a dedicated member of the the retirement of Professor Robert Curtis. LMS since 1985 and served as LMS Librar- The talks will start at 2 pm and be given ian from 2002 to 2008. Rob will continue by: his research in the School as an Emeritus Professor. • Peter Rowley (Manchester) • Sergey Shpectorov (Birmingham) • Rob Wilson (Queen Mary, London) STABLE HOMOTOPY, In the evening there will be a celebratory ALGEBRA AND dinner. For more details visit the website at NUMBER THEORY www.mat.bham.ac.uk/curtisret.shtml. Rob Curtis is one of the five authors of A one-day workshop on Stable Homotopy, The Atlas of Finite Simple Groups and is Algebra and Number Theory to mark the well known for his many significant con- retirement of Francis Clarke will take place 15 tributions to finite group theory and in the Seminar Room of the Department of especially to the understanding of the Mathematics, Swansea University on Friday sporadic simple groups. Rob came to 26 November 2010. The speakers are: • Sarah Whitehouse (Sheffield) Gaussian polynomials and K-theory operations • Keith Johnson (Halifax) Integer-valued polynomials and their topological applications • Nigel Ray (Manchester) Thom complexes and their iterations • Andrew Baker (Glas- gow) Galois theory, classifying spaces and Lubin–Tate spectra There will be a dinner on Thursday 25 November 2010. For further informa- tion contact Martin Crossley ([email protected]. uk) by 15 November. The “So I’m twice as old as you. Next year I won’t be.” workshop information is on the website at www- © ScienceCartoonsPlus.com maths.swan.ac.uk/sac.
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16
C*-ALGEBRAS AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION Report The LMS Midlands Regional Meeting 2010 took place on Monday 6 September with three dis- tinguished speakers (Christensen, Echterhoff and Farah) and was followed by a four-day workshop on C*-Algebras and their Classifica- tion. All these events took place at the School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Not- tingham and were supported by the London Mathematical Society and EPSRC. About 60 people attended. The structure theory of nuclear C*-algebras has seen dramatic advances in recent years. Most notably, tight links have been discovered between topological and algebraic regularity properties of C*-algebras. These results have spurred new and very broad classification theo- rems, with particularly satisfying applications to transformation group C*-algebras. They have
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RECORDS OF PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS REGIONAL ORDINARY MEETING held on 6 September 2010 at the University of Nottingham. Around 30 members and visitors were present for all or part of the meeting. The meeting began at 2.00 pm, with the President, Professor A.J. MACINTYRE, FRS, in the Chair. One member signed the book and was admitted to the Society. Dr J. ZACHARIAS introduced a lecture given by Professor Erik Christensen on Applications of non-commutative geometry to the study of fractal sets. Dr Zacharias then introduced a lecture given by Professor Siegfried Echterhoff on The classification of noncommutative 2-spheres. After tea, Dr Zacharias introduced a lecture given by Professor Ilijas Farah on The complexity of the classification problem of nuclear C*-algebras. 17 The Chair expressed the thanks of the Society to the local organisers and the speakers for putting on such an excellent meeting. After the meeting a dinner was held at the Hemsley Restaurant on the campus.
C*-ALGEBRAS AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION Report also opened connections to other areas such as The LMS Midlands Regional Meeting 2010 took graph algebras or coarse geometry; these con- place on Monday 6 September with three dis- nections are waiting to be further explored. The tinguished speakers (Christensen, Echterhoff area is extremely vivid, as reflected by the large and Farah) and was followed by a four-day number of well-synchronized recent and up- workshop on C*-Algebras and their Classifica- coming events (in Oberwolfach, Banff, Toronto, tion. All these events took place at the School Copenhagen, Münster, Barcelona, Palo Alto, to of Mathematical Sciences, University of Not- name but a few). It is particularly attractive for tingham and were supported by the London early career researchers, as the theory is well- Mathematical Society and EPSRC. About 60 developed yet highly active, with many open people attended. questions which are interesting yet accessible The structure theory of nuclear C*-algebras (even at postgraduate level). The LMS meeting has seen dramatic advances in recent years. and subsequent workshop helped to promote Most notably, tight links have been discovered this exciting area of research in the UK. Many between topological and algebraic regularity international experts attended and numerous properties of C*-algebras. These results have participants from the UK were attracted. spurred new and very broad classification theo- Invited speakers included Nate Brown rems, with particularly satisfying applications to (Penn State), Erik Christensen (Copenhagen), transformation group C*-algebras. They have Siegfried Echterhoff (Münster), Mikael R�rdam
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(Copenhagen), Joachim Cuntz (Münster), The meeting brought together British and HARMONIC ANALYSIS Marius Dadarlat (Purdue), S�ren Eilers Spanish mathematicians working in harmonic (Copenhagen), George Elliott (Toronto), Ilias analysis and closely related areas such as disper- AND PDE WORKSHOP Farah (Toronto), Ilan Hirshberg (Be’er Sheva), sive PDE, inverse problems and geometric meas- This workshop is a two-day meeting of the Takeshi Katsura (Yokohama), David Kerr ure theory. The talks of the six speakers, Neal LMS Harmonic Analysis and PDEs Network (Texas), Eberhard Kirchberg (Berlin), Martin Bez (Birmingham), Tony Carbery (Edinburgh), which will take place at the University of Mathieu (Belfast), Ping Wong Ng (Louisiana), Piero D’Ancona (Rome), Thomas Duyckaerts Birmingham. There will be two talks in the Francesc Perera (Barcelona), Chris Phillips (Paris), Malabika Pramanik (Vancouver) and afternoon of Thursday 25 November and two (Eugene), Jean Renault (Orleans), Allan Sinclair Xavier Tolsa (Barcelona), reflected a number talks in the morning of Friday 26 November (Edinburgh), Adam Skalski (Lancaster), Andrew of current and emerging themes in the sub- 2010. The speakers are: Toms (Toronto), Simon Wassermann (Glasgow) ject. Highlights included discussions on finite • José Carrillo (Barcelona) and Stuart White (Glasgow). field analogues of central open problems in • Javier Duoandikoetxea (Bilbao) We thank the LMS for its generous support euclidean harmonic analysis (such as Kakeya- • Sebastian Herr (Bonn) which made this event possible. type conjectures), sharp Strichartz estimates • Neil Lyall (Georgia, USA) Wilhelm Winter and Joachim Zacharias for linear and nonlinear Schrödinger equa- There will be an informal dinner in the School of Mathematical Sciences tions, and variation bounds in the setting of city on the Thursday evening. For further in- University of Nottingham singular integrals on Lipschitz domains. formation see http://tinyurl.com/37usbu4 or The event was a great success and attracted contact Jonathan Bennett (J.Bennett@bham. 18 over 50 participants. The workshop was followed ac.uk). All interested persons are welcome to HARMONIC ANALYSIS AND by drinks and a lively dinner at a Galician restau- attend. The workshop is funded in part by PDE RESEARCH NETWORK rant in central Madrid. This event was organised an LMS Scheme 3 grant and the Birmingham by Keith Rogers (ICMAT) and Ana Vargas (UAM) Mathematical Institute. Report with generous additional support from the A workshop was held at the Instituto de Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. REVIEWS Ciencias Matemáticas (ICMAT) from 16 to 17 There will be a further workshop in Birming- September 2010 to mark the inclusion of the ham from 25 to 26 November 2010 (for details Femininity, Mathematics and Science, 1880–1914 Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in the LMS see the notice on the next page). by Claire G. Jones, 2009, Palgrave Macmillan, 280 Scheme 3 Harmonic Analysis and PDE research Jon Bennett pp, £55.00, ISBN 978-0-230-55521-1. network. University of Birmingham The title of this book reminded me of a din- ner which occurred shortly after my arrival in Cambridge. I was sitting beside the wife of an eminent mathematician. On discovering I was also a mathematician she offered the
© Bego�a Barrios Bego�a © following advice: I should never ignore my femininity. “So many female mathematicians do!” she declared. Although taken aback, I did, at some level, understand her. To exist in a man’s world women often play down their femininity. However the opposite also occurs, and women are known to become more fem- inine in such an environment. What seems true is that it is difficult to just be oneself. This book is not just about being a woman in a man’s world, it is about whether being a mathematician is a suitable career for a Participants in the LMS network meeting in Madrid woman at all.
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The meeting brought together British and HARMONIC ANALYSIS The author considers two case studies: one is Spanish mathematicians working in harmonic Grace Chisholm Young (1868–1944), the other is analysis and closely related areas such as disper- AND PDE WORKSHOP Hertha Ayrton (1854–1923). Both studied mathe- sive PDE, inverse problems and geometric meas- This workshop is a two-day meeting of the matics at Cambridge, then Grace continued to ure theory. The talks of the six speakers, Neal LMS Harmonic Analysis and PDEs Network work in pure mathematics whilst Hertha became Bez (Birmingham), Tony Carbery (Edinburgh), which will take place at the University of involved in engineering. Piero D’Ancona (Rome), Thomas Duyckaerts Birmingham. There will be two talks in the The Cambridge mathematical tripos was of key (Paris), Malabika Pramanik (Vancouver) and afternoon of Thursday 25 November and two importance in the fight for suffrage. Heralded Xavier Tolsa (Barcelona), reflected a number talks in the morning of Friday 26 November as “the prestige degree of current and emerging themes in the sub- 2010. The speakers are: for men”, it was impor- ject. Highlights included discussions on finite • José Carrillo (Barcelona) tant for the movement field analogues of central open problems in • Javier Duoandikoetxea (Bilbao) that women succeeded euclidean harmonic analysis (such as Kakeya- • Sebastian Herr (Bonn) in the tripos. How- type conjectures), sharp Strichartz estimates • Neil Lyall (Georgia, USA) ever, “Towards the end for linear and nonlinear Schrödinger equa- There will be an informal dinner in the of the century the ex- tions, and variation bounds in the setting of city on the Thursday evening. For further in- amination lost much of singular integrals on Lipschitz domains. formation see http://tinyurl.com/37usbu4 or its prestige ... due (in The event was a great success and attracted contact Jonathan Bennett (J.Bennett@bham. part) to [a] recognition over 50 participants. The workshop was followed ac.uk). All interested persons are welcome to that women were able 19 by drinks and a lively dinner at a Galician restau- attend. The workshop is funded in part by to compete successfully rant in central Madrid. This event was organised an LMS Scheme 3 grant and the Birmingham alongside the men and, by Keith Rogers (ICMAT) and Ana Vargas (UAM) Mathematical Institute. in some cases, surpass even the best of them”. with generous additional support from the With the usual options not open to them after Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. REVIEWS graduation, Grace and Hertha had to pave their There will be a further workshop in Birming- own way. Grace was awarded a doctorate from ham from 25 to 26 November 2010 (for details Femininity, Mathematics and Science, 1880–1914 the University of Göttingen but then her career see the notice on the next page). by Claire G. Jones, 2009, Palgrave Macmillan, 280 stalled. Hertha studied at the City and Guilds Jon Bennett pp, £55.00, ISBN 978-0-230-55521-1. Technical Institute at Finsbury, one of three wom- University of Birmingham The title of this book reminded me of a din- en out of the 118 men. ner which occurred shortly after my arrival in Ultimately both women married men in their Cambridge. I was sitting beside the wife of fields. The working relationship between Grace an eminent mathematician. On discovering and her husband was both practical and clearly I was also a mathematician she offered the unfair. Needing at least one of them to hold an
© Bego�a Barrios Bego�a © following advice: I should never ignore my academic position for financial reasons, they of- femininity. “So many female mathematicians ten submitted under only his name, thus promot- do!” she declared. Although taken aback, I ing him (and demoting her). That they chose to did, at some level, understand her. To exist in pursue his career over hers was clearly a gender a man’s world women often play down their choice, as until then her career had looked more femininity. However the opposite also occurs, promising. and women are known to become more fem- Hertha’s husband William Ayrton had already inine in such an environment. What seems been elected a Royal Society Fellow when they true is that it is difficult to just be oneself. married. They were well aware of the “gendered This book is not just about being a woman interpretations given to collaborations of differ- in a man’s world, it is about whether being ing sex” and thus denied “any hint of collabora- a mathematician is a suitable career for a tion or collusion in their work”. However, they Participants in the LMS network meeting in Madrid woman at all. did in fact work closely together. The author
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comments that “Recent scholars have shown how women were inevitably assigned the role of ‘assistant’ in both-sex collaborations, whatever [their] contributions.”. The sheer practicalities of laboratory work made it incredibly hard for women to pursue scientific careers. After Ayrton’s death, Hertha found it impossible to find professional labora- tory space and was forced to work in a make- shift laboratory in her house. However “Hertha’s laboratory lacked credibility ... at a time when increasing emphasis was being placed on precise measurement and the use of manufactured in- strumentation.” On the contrary, the rather gen- teel pursuit of pure mathematics research makes it quite a respectable pass-time for women: cer- tainly Grace had a much easier time integrating into academic society. But the image of a lone 20 mathematical genius is not readily reconciled with femininity and this, subconsciously or other- wise, works against the female mathematician; certainly then, but maybe still? It is impossible not to make modern com- parisons. Huge advances have been made, and Herbert Spencer, who believed “that female ... intellectual evolution [stops] before man’s in or- der to preserve vital organs for childbirth” would nowadays be deemed certifiable. However, I be- lieve Grace and Hertha would be saddened by today’s situation: the small numbers of women in academic positions in mathematics and engi- neering, and the even smaller numbers in posi- tions of power: professors, editors of journals etc. “What would Hertha Ayrton, who nearly achieved ‘FRS’ after her name in 1902, make of the fact that women are still a tiny minority with- in the Royal Society,... hovering around just 5%.” Even the leaps forward in female undergraduate numbers seem to be reversing, as a Guardian ar- ticle (13.07.10) illustrates: “Women still favour ‘feminine’ subjects ... over engineering, sciences and mathematics, despite efforts to change this. Why?”. The discussion rages on, and this book makes an interesting and valuable contribution. Rachel Camina Cambridge University
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comments that “Recent scholars have shown Alex’s Adventures in Numberland by Alex how women were inevitably assigned the role of Bellos, 2010, Bloomsbury, 448 pp, £18.99, ‘assistant’ in both-sex collaborations, whatever ISBN 978-0-747-59716-2. [their] contributions.”. This is an excellently researched and well- The sheer practicalities of laboratory work written book that distinguishes itself from made it incredibly hard for women to pursue the body of popular science books by in- scientific careers. After Ayrton’s death, Hertha terspersing and motivating the mathemat- found it impossible to find professional labora- ics it contains using stories, interviews and tory space and was forced to work in a make- conversations with a variety of people, shift laboratory in her house. However “Hertha’s ranging from mathematicians and linguists laboratory lacked credibility ... at a time when to mystics. The result is a mixture of jour- increasing emphasis was being placed on precise nalism, travel literature and mathematical measurement and the use of manufactured in- history that will have a much wider ap- strumentation.” On the contrary, the rather gen- peal than many other accessible texts on teel pursuit of pure mathematics research makes mathematics. it quite a respectable pass-time for women: cer- I must admit that my heart sank after tainly Grace had a much easier time integrating reading the first page of Chapter Zero, into academic society. But the image of a lone where Bellos describes an Amazonian tribe mathematical genius is not readily reconciled only capable of counting to 5 (didn’t I once 21 with femininity and this, subconsciously or other- read another book that started like this? See wise, works against the female mathematician; Gamow, One, two, three – infinity). How- certainly then, but maybe still? ever my initial scepticism was fairly swiftly It is impossible not to make modern com- beaten down: it is included not as a gimmick parisons. Huge advances have been made, and but because it is the research topic of one Herbert Spencer, who believed “that female ... of his interview subjects, and the chapter intellectual evolution [stops] before man’s in or- grows into a discussion on our perception of der to preserve vital organs for childbirth” would numbers and quantities. nowadays be deemed certifiable. However, I be- After the “pre-mathematics” of Chapter lieve Grace and Hertha would be saddened by Zero, there are eleven chapters touching on today’s situation: the small numbers of women a selection of topics, chosen not to present in academic positions in mathematics and engi- a wide spectrum but to provide glimpses neering, and the even smaller numbers in posi- into Numberland and (perhaps more im- tions of power: professors, editors of journals portantly) how it etc. “What would Hertha Ayrton, who nearly can be related to achieved ‘FRS’ after her name in 1902, make of everyday life. There the fact that women are still a tiny minority with- is a lot in the first in the Royal Society,... hovering around just 5%.” four or five chap- Even the leaps forward in female undergraduate ters on number sys- numbers seem to be reversing, as a Guardian ar- tems, counting and ticle (13.07.10) illustrates: “Women still favour methods for basic ‘feminine’ subjects ... over engineering, sciences arithmetic, while and mathematics, despite efforts to change this. the later chapters Why?”. The discussion rages on, and this book tackle slightly more makes an interesting and valuable contribution. advanced material Rachel Camina such as probabil- Cambridge University ity and countability.
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However, the mathematics never gets very he meets are not professional mathemati- CALENDAR OF EVENTS complicated – the nearest we ever get to cians but “numerically obsessed lay-people” formal mathematics has been consigned to seeking magic or mysticism in numbers, or This calendar lists Society meetings and other the appendices. This is no bad thing: Bellos the golden ratio in everyday objects, or who mathematical events. Further information isn’t trying to teach mathematics, but “to are Zen masters of business card origami. In- may be obtained from the appropriate communicate the excitement and wonder cidentally, I was surprised to learn that busi- LMS Newsletter whose number is given in of mathematical discovery”, and in this he ness card origami “is a winning way [...] to brackets. A fuller list of meetings and events does an excellent job. Bellos’ own enthusi- hand over your business card during math- is given on the Society’s website (www.lms. asm for mathematics is clear throughout, for ematics conferences.” ac.uk/newsletter/calendar.html). example in Chapter Ten he ritually buys and Still, the interviews are entertaining and Please send updates and corrections to weighs baguettes for 100 days solely to in- complement the mathematics very well. [email protected]. troduce the normal distribution. Moreover, the people he meets are passion- Besides the mathematics, the other major ate about mathematics, and Bellos does an NOVEMBER 2010 aspect of the book are the people he meets. excellent job of describing this passion in a 10 Meeting to Mark the Retirement of This is a fine idea – it transforms the book way that will not be lost on a general audi- Rob Curtis, Birmingham (397) into a travelogue which seems to suit the ence. Coupled with the numerous interest- 13-14 MathsJam, Yarnfield Park Training popular mathematics genre very well. One of ing facts and slices of history that appear Centre, Staffordshire (396) his stated aims is “to show that mathemati- throughout the book, this is a worthy new- 16 BCS-FACS Evening Seminar, London (396) 19 LMS Annual General Meeting, Naylor 22 cians are funny”, which I don’t think is really comer to the popular science bookshelf. necessary and in any case I don’t believe it. Robert Brignall Lecture, London (397) As it turns out, most of the eccentric people The Open University 25-26 Harmonic Analysis and PDE Network, Birmingham (397) 26 Stable Homotopy, Algebra and Number Theory Workshop, Swansea (397) ZITO THE MAGICIAN 26 Integrable Systems and Orthogonal Polynomials Workshop, Loughborough (397) To amuse His Royal Majesty he will change water into wine. Frogs into footmen. Beetles into bailiffs. And make a Minister out of a rat. He bows, and daisies grow from his finger-tips. DECEMBER 2010 And a talking bird sits on his shoulder. 6 LMS Meeting, ICMS, Edinburgh (397) There. 6-10 Birational Geometry, ICMS Workshop, Think up something else, demands His Royal Majesty. Edinburgh (396) Think up a black star. So he thinks up a black star. 6-10 Uncertainty in Climate Modelling, INI, Cambridge (395) Think up dry water. So he thinks up dry water. 6-10 Australian Statistical Conference 2010, Think up a river bound with straw-bands. So he does. Fremantle, Australia (383) There. 13-17 PDE Models for Quantum Fluids, INI, Then along comes a student and asks: Think up sine alpha greater than one. Cambridge (395) And Zito grows pale and sad. Terribly sorry. Sine is 18-20 New Trends in Spectral Theory and Between plus one and minus one. Nothing you can do about that. Applications Workshop, Cardiff (395) And he leaves the great royal empire, quietly weaves his way Through the throng of courtiers, to his home in a nutshell. Miroslav Holub (Czech) JANUARY 2011 Translated by George Theiner 5-14 School on Moduli Spaces, INI, Cambridge (395) From Poems Before & After: Collected English Translations, 1991, Bloodaxe Books, 274 pp, 10-13 UK–Japan Winter School, King’s ISBN 978-1-852-24122-3. Reproduced with kind permission from the publisher. College London (396)
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he meets are not professional mathemati- CALENDAR OF EVENTS 10-14 Embeddings, INI, Cambridge (395) cians but “numerically obsessed lay-people” 10-14 Torsors: Theory and Application, seeking magic or mysticism in numbers, or This calendar lists Society meetings and other ICMS Workshop, Edinburgh (394) the golden ratio in everyday objects, or who mathematical events. Further information are Zen masters of business card origami. In- may be obtained from the appropriate FEBRUARY 2011 cidentally, I was surprised to learn that busi- LMS Newsletter whose number is given in brackets. A fuller list of meetings and events 14-16 Workshop on Mathematics Journals, ness card origami “is a winning way [...] to MSRI, Berkeley, USA hand over your business card during math- is given on the Society’s website (www.lms. ac.uk/newsletter/calendar.html). 25 LMS Mary Cartwright Lecture, Oxford ematics conferences.” (397) Still, the interviews are entertaining and Please send updates and corrections to complement the mathematics very well. [email protected]. Moreover, the people he meets are passion- MARCH 2011 ate about mathematics, and Bellos does an NOVEMBER 2010 14-18 Representations of Surface Groups excellent job of describing this passion in a 10 Meeting to Mark the Retirement of and Higgs Bundles Workshop, Oxford way that will not be lost on a general audi- Rob Curtis, Birmingham (397) ence. Coupled with the numerous interest- 13-14 MathsJam, Yarnfield Park Training APRIL 2011 ing facts and slices of history that appear Centre, Staffordshire (396) 4-5 Nonlinear Waves and Solitons on throughout the book, this is a worthy new- 16 BCS-FACS Evening Seminar, London (396) Lattices Workshop, ICMS, Edinburgh comer to the popular science bookshelf. 19 LMS Annual General Meeting, Naylor 4-8 Computational Challenges in Partial 23 Robert Brignall Lecture, London (397) Differential Equations Meeting, Swansea The Open University 25-26 Harmonic Analysis and PDE Network, Birmingham (397) (392) 26 Stable Homotopy, Algebra and Number 11-13 BAMC 2011, Birmingham Theory Workshop, Swansea (397) 18-21 BMC 2011, Leicester ZITO THE MAGICIAN 26 Integrable Systems and Orthogonal 25-29 The Kervaire Invariant and Stable Polynomials Workshop, Loughborough (397) Homotopy Theory, ICMS Workshop, To amuse His Royal Majesty he will change water into wine. Edinburgh (394) Frogs into footmen. Beetles into bailiffs. And make a Minister DECEMBER 2010 out of a rat. He bows, and daisies grow from his finger-tips. MAY 2011 And a talking bird sits on his shoulder. 6 LMS Meeting, ICMS, Edinburgh (397) 6 Women in Mathematics Day, London There. 6-10 Birational Geometry, ICMS Workshop, 17 LMS–Gresham Lecture, London Think up something else, demands His Royal Majesty. Edinburgh (396) 22-27 Progress on Difference Equations 2011, Think up a black star. So he thinks up a black star. 6-10 Uncertainty in Climate Modelling, INI, Cambridge (395) Dublin Think up dry water. So he thinks up dry water. 6-10 Australian Statistical Conference 2010, Think up a river bound with straw-bands. So he does. Fremantle, Australia (383) There. JUNE 2011 13-17 PDE Models for Quantum Fluids, INI, Then along comes a student and asks: Think up sine alpha greater than one. Nonlinear Diffusion: Algorithms, Analysis Cambridge (395) 6-8 and Applications Workshop, Warwick (395) And Zito grows pale and sad. Terribly sorry. Sine is 18-20 New Trends in Spectral Theory and Between plus one and minus one. Nothing you can do about that. Applications Workshop, Cardiff (395) 6-10 Oscillatory Integrals in Harmonic And he leaves the great royal empire, quietly weaves his way Analysis, ICMS Workshop, Edinburgh (394) Through the throng of courtiers, to his home in a nutshell. 26-30 Signal Processing with Adaptive Miroslav Holub (Czech) JANUARY 2011 Sparse Structured Representations ICMS Translated by George Theiner 5-14 School on Moduli Spaces, INI, Cambridge Workshop, Edinburgh (394) (395) 26-30 New Developments in Non- From Poems Before & After: Collected English Translations, 1991, Bloodaxe Books, 274 pp, 10-13 UK–Japan Winter School, King’s Commutative Algebra and Applications ISBN 978-1-852-24122-3. Reproduced with kind permission from the publisher. College London (396) ICMS Workshop, Skye (394)
Nov10-NL.indd 23 22/10/2010 13:39:52 E.J. ROUTH LMS member 1865–1906 Ernest Edwards, 20 Baker St, London W.
Edward John Routh, MA, FRS, FRAS, FGS, FCPS Assistant Tutor and Fellow of Peterhouse College, Cambridge Founder LMS member; LMS Council 1888
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