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THE MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 399 January 2011

Society MEMBERSHIP abolished. Then we heard that Meetings funding for the New Zealand SURVEY – TELL US Institute of and and Events YOUR VIEWS its Applications is to be pulled. Even as we reeled under the 2011 The LMS is seeking a wide vari- impact, and commended the Friday 25 February ety of views on various issues, President’s efforts to protest including membership. You are against these measures, we re- Lecture, invited to complete a short flected that this is likely to be [page 3] online survey to inform Coun- only the beginning of a long cil of your opinions on these saga. 21-25 March matters. After this, it was something LMS Invited Lectures Members, former members of a relief to get stuck into  [page 4] and non-members are all en- Society business. We first dis- 3-8 April couraged to complete the cussed some recommendations LMS Short Course, survey, which can be found at from the Personnel Committee, Oxford [page 21] www.surveymonkey.com/s/ and then, after lunch, some 66NW3VW and will be open publications issues. One of the Friday 6 May until 21 January 2011. latter was the draft contract Women in Mathematics with Mathematical Sciences Day, London Publishers (MSP) for the new [page 26] LMS COUNCIL DIARY database system for dealing 19 November 2010 Tuesday 17 May with papers submitted to the LMS–Gresham Lecture, The Council meeting on 19 LMS journals. We agreed to London November began as usual with delegate the final negotiations Friday 1 July President’s Business, but in to the working group, with a London contrast to the usual tales of view to going live with the new wining and dining on the LMS’s system in January. Another is- Tuesday 19 July behalf, we were treated in- sue concerned the Journal of Northern Regional stead to a ‘chronicle of disas- Group Theory, currently pub- Meeting, Leeds ters’, to quote the President’s lished by de Gruyter. It is by Friday 18 November words. First, the announcement now public knowledge that the LMS AGM, London of the withdrawal of fund- entire editorial board has re- ing for the Erwin Schrödinger signed, and Susan Hezlet, the Institute in Vienna, an institu- LMS Publisher, invited Council tion of comparable importance to consider whether the LMS NEWSLETTER to the Institute should get involved in some in Cambridge. Then the news way. For reasons of commercial ONLINE: that Adrian Smith’s position in confidentiality, however, our Go to www.lms.ac.uk/ the Department for Business, conclusions must for the mo- newsletter Innovation and Skills is to be ment remain under wraps.

Jan11-NL.indd 1 20/12/2010 15:45:20 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]

Most of the rest of the meeting was taken from the current website is proceeding up with routine and/or technical business apace, with the intention of completing which will be of little interest to readers the switch before Christmas. The develop- of this Diary. One possible exception was ment of new content, in particular interac- the design of a survey on membership of tive content, will be our focus thereafter. the LMS, intended to capture some infor- It is becoming increasingly clear to Coun- mation on (for example) the reasons why cil that in the 21st century an effective web people do or do not join the LMS, to help presence is not only vital to our existence, focus our thoughts on these matters in the but also poses significant risks (for example new year. Personally I am sceptical of the to our reputation). Therefore we have to value of such surveys, as when filling them think urgently and carefully about a system in I invariably find that they ask the wrong of devolved editorial control which allows questions. However, we shall see. people who have the time and the enthu- Another item which may be of more gen- siasm to develop parts of the site, while eral interest was an update from Stephen ensuring that Council has effective con- Huggett on the new website. This is now trol over what is published in the name of publically available in a ‘beta test’ ver- the LMS. As the General Secretary, Martin sion (or ‘alpha’, as one member of Council Hyland, eloquently put it, we want a web-  quipped) at www.lms.ac.uk/beta, and feed- site which is alive, not one which (like so back from LMS members (and others) is many) is dead. actively encouraged. Copying of content Robert Wilson

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 or photographer 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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from the current website is proceeding apace, with the intention of completing the switch before Christmas. The develop- LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY ment of new content, in particular interac- tive content, will be our focus thereafter. It is becoming increasingly clear to Coun- MARY CARTWRIGHT MEETING cil that in the 21st century an effective web presence is not only vital to our existence, Friday 25 February 2011 but also poses significant risks (for example to our reputation). Therefore we have to Oxford University Museum of Natural History think urgently and carefully about a system of devolved editorial control which allows people who have the time and the enthu- siasm to develop parts of the site, while Programme: ensuring that Council has effective con- trol over what is published in the name of 3.30 Opening of the meeting the LMS. As the General Secretary, Martin Hyland, eloquently put it, we want a web- Peter Donnelly (Oxford) site which is alive, not one which (like so Modelling Genes  many) is dead. Robert Wilson 4.30 Tea

5.00 Mary Cartwright Lecture LMS Newsletter www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter (Oxford) Editorial office: [email protected]; London Mathematical Society, Evolution in a Spatial De Morgan House, 57–58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS (t: 020 7637 3686; f: 020 7323 3655)

Continuum Post Evening Wales South the of Courtesy Events calendar: please send updates and corrections to [email protected] Mary Cartwright 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]) A reception will be held after the meeting at the Mathematics Institute Typeset by the London Mathematical Society at De Morgan House; printed by Holbrooks Printers Ltd. followed by a dinner at the Ashmolean Museum at a cost of £30 per Publication dates and deadlines: published monthly, except August. Items and advertisements by the person, inclusive of wine. Contact Isabelle Robinson (isabelle.robinson@ first day of the month prior to publication, or the closest preceding working day. lms.ac.uk) by Friday 18 February 2011 if you would like to attend. 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, There are limited funds available to contribute in part to the ex- although attribution is requested when reproducing whole articles. Contributions to the Newsletter are made under a non-exclusive licence; please contact the author or photographer for the rights to penses of members of the Society or research students to at- reproduce. The LMS cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of information in the Newsletter. tend the meeting. Contact Duncan Turton/Elizabeth Fisher Views expressed do not necessarily represent the views or policy of the London Mathematical Society. ([email protected]) for further information. Charity registration number: 252660.

Jan11-NL.indd 3 20/12/2010 15:45:20 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]

LMS INVITED LECTURER 2011 Emmanuel Cand�s (Stanford) Compressed Sensing 21–25 March 2011 Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge

Emmanuel Cand�s will give an eight-lecture minicourse, at a level suitable for graduate students, on Compressed Sensing. This is a subject very much at the interface of pure and applied mathematics and the lectures should interest a wide audience. There will also be one-hour lectures by:  • Anders Hansen (Cambridge) • Vincent Rivoirard (-Dauphine) • Carola Schönlieb (Cambridge) • Jared Tanner () College accommodation will be available. Funding is available for research students from UK universities and a limited amount of funding is available for others. Please email [email protected] for more details. For further details see: www.dpmms.cam.ac.uk/~bjg23/candeslectures.html.

LMS INVITED LECTURES SERIES 2012 Recent Invited Lecturers are: Proposals for the 2012 Lectures are sought residential and open to all interested. It is 2010 M. Bramson (University of Minnesota) from any member who, in addition to sug- intended that the texts of the lectures given Stability of queuing networks gesting a topic and lecturer, would be in the series shall be published. In addition 2009 A.D. Ionescu (University of Wisconsin, prepared to organise the meeting at their to full expenses, the lecturer is offered an Madison) Black holes in vacuum: own institution or a suitable conference honorarium for giving the course. A grant examples and uniqueness properties centre. is also given to the host department to sup- 2008 A. Okounkov (Princeton) The annual Invited Lectures series consists port attendance at the lectures. Random surfaces of meetings at which a single speaker gives Enquiries about the Invited Lectures 2007 D. Ben-Zvi (University of Texas, Austin) a course of about ten expository lectures, should be directed to the Programme Secre- The geometric Langlands correspondence examining some subject in depth, over a tary at the Society ([email protected]). The 2006 M.F. Singer (North Carolina State Univ.) five day period (Monday to Friday) during deadline for the submission of proposals Introduction to the Galois theory of a University vacation. The meetings are is Tuesday 15 February 2011. differential and difference equations

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Cecil King Travel Scholarship

The London Mathematical Society annually awards a £5000 Cecil King Travel Scholarship in Mathematics to a young of outstanding promise. The Scholarship is awarded to support a period of study or research abroad, typically for a period of three months. The award is competitive and based on a written proposal describing the intended programme of study or research abroad and the benefits to be gained from such a visit. A shortlist of applicants will be selected for interview. Applicants should normally be nationals of the UK or Republic of Ireland, either registered for or having recently completed a doctoral degree at a UK University.  Applications should be made using the form available on the Society’s website (www.lms.ac.uk/activities/cecil_king/index.html) or by contacting [email protected]. The closing date for applications is Friday 25 February 2011. It is expected that interviews will take place in London in late April or early May. 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.

LMS INVITED LECTURES SERIES 2012 Recent Invited Lecturers are: SOCIETY PRIZES DEADLINE residential and open to all interested. It is 2010 M. Bramson (University of Minnesota) intended that the texts of the lectures given Stability of queuing networks Readers are reminded that the deadline for in the series shall be published. In addition 2009 A.D. Ionescu (University of Wisconsin, receipt of nominations for the 2011 Society to full expenses, the lecturer is offered an Madison) Black holes in vacuum: Prizes is Friday 14 January 2011. Prizes avail- honorarium for giving the course. A grant examples and uniqueness properties able in 2011 include the Pólya Prize, Senior is also given to the host department to sup- 2008 A. Okounkov (Princeton) Whitehead Prize, Naylor Prize and Lecture- port attendance at the lectures. Random surfaces ship in Applied Mathematics, Enquiries about the Invited Lectures 2007 D. Ben-Zvi (University of Texas, Austin) and up to four Whitehead Prizes. A nomina- should be directed to the Programme Secre- The geometric Langlands correspondence tion form can be downloaded from www. tary at the Society ([email protected]). The 2006 M.F. Singer (North Carolina State Univ.) lms.ac.uk. For full details of all these prizes deadline for the submission of proposals Introduction to the Galois theory of please see the Society’s December Newsletter is Tuesday 15 February 2011. differential and difference equations (No. 398) or email [email protected].

Jan11-NL.indd 5 20/12/2010 15:45:21 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]

LMS GRANT SCHEMES FOR CONFERENCES AND VISITS Conferences Next Closing Date for Applications: 31 January 2011 Application deadline Decision date Start date of visit/conference 15 September October May to October (following year) Applications are invited for the following Other Grants News 31 January February September (current year) to February grants: (following year) We would like to draw your attention to the • Conferences and postgraduate research 15 May June January to June (following year) following. conferences held in the UK (Schemes 1 and 8) Visits Childcare Grants • Visitors to the UK (Scheme 2) The Society believes that all parents work- Application deadline Decision date Start date of visit/conference • Research in Pairs (Scheme 4) ing in mathematics should be able to attend • International short visits with the main 15 September October February to May (following year) conferences and research meetings without focus on Africa (Scheme 5) being hindered by childcare costs. Institutions 31 January February June to September (current year) For full details of these grant schemes, and to are expected to make provision for childcare 15 May June October (current year) to January download application forms, visit the Society’s costs and parents are encouraged to make en- (following year) website (www.lms.ac.uk/grants). quiries. However, where this is not available, Applications received by 31 January 2011 the Society administers a Childcare Supple-  will be considered at a meeting in mentary Grants Scheme. Further details can New Website February. be found on the LMS website: www.lms.ac.uk/ The Society is in the process of upgrading Applications should be submitted well in activities/women_maths_com/childcare.html. its website and as part of the up-grade the advance of the date of the event for which grants section has been amended. In particu- funding is requested. Conference Grants to Celebrate New lar, please note the following changes: Normally grants are not made for events Appointments which have already happened or where To be eligible for a grant, the inaugural meet- Guidelines insufficient time has been allowed for ing must take place within two years of the These have been kept to a minimum on the processing of the application. start date of the new appointment. Please Introductory pages. Further guidance notes Queries regarding applications can be ad- note that this policy may be subject to change can be found on the application forms. We dressed to the Grants Administrators or the and will be reviewed later in the current aca- have added an Application Checklist which we Programme Secretary (see below) who will demic year. Any changes will be published on hope you will find useful. We will be chang- be pleased to discuss proposals informally the website. Please note that applications are ing to an on- application and reporting with potential applicants and give advice made via Scheme 1. system under phase 2 of the upgrade of the on the submission of an application. website, which will commence in 2011. Joint Research Groups Supported by the LMS • Grants Administrators: Sylvia Daly and Details of forthcoming meetings to be held Deadlines Elizabeth Fisher (tel: 020 7291 9971/3, by these groups are normally included in the From 1 February 2011, the deadlines for ap- email: [email protected]) who both work Calendar of Events section of the LMS website. plying will be set according to the date of the Wednesday–Friday. event. See the table above. • Programme Secretary: Stephen Huggett Membership Information Packs (tel: 01752 586869, email: s.huggett@ As part of a new initiative, the Society will be • Applications should be submitted well in plymouth.ac.uk) asking the organisers of LMS-sponsored con- advance of the date of the conference or Information on other grant schemes op- ferences and joint Research Groups to encour- visit. erated by the Society, for education, the age participants at their meetings to join the • Please note that applications will not mathematics–computer science interface, and Society. Membership packs, which include be considered between mid-June and childcare, is also available at www.lms.ac.uk/ information about the LMS, and application mid-October. grants. forms, will be sent to the organisers. • Grants will not be made retrospectively.

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LMS GRANT SCHEMES FOR CONFERENCES AND VISITS Conferences Next Closing Date for Applications: 31 January 2011 Application deadline Decision date Start date of visit/conference 15 September October May to October (following year) Other Grants News 31 January February September (current year) to February (following year) We would like to draw your attention to the 15 May June January to June (following year) following. Visits Childcare Grants The Society believes that all parents work- Application deadline Decision date Start date of visit/conference ing in mathematics should be able to attend 15 September October February to May (following year) conferences and research meetings without being hindered by childcare costs. Institutions 31 January February June to September (current year) are expected to make provision for childcare 15 May June October (current year) to January costs and parents are encouraged to make en- (following year) quiries. However, where this is not available, the Society administers a Childcare Supple- mentary Grants Scheme. Further details can New Website VISIT OF  be found on the LMS website: www.lms.ac.uk/ The Society is in the process of upgrading activities/women_maths_com/childcare.html. its website and as part of the up-grade the PROFESSOR M. ELOUMI grants section has been amended. In particu- Professor Mourad Eloumi will be visiting the UK Conference Grants to Celebrate New lar, please note the following changes: from 31 January to 8 March 2011. He is an expert Appointments in Algorithms, Computational Molecular Biology, To be eligible for a grant, the inaugural meet- Guidelines Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining. He is ing must take place within two years of the These have been kept to a minimum on the currently a Professor in Computer Science at the start date of the new appointment. Please Introductory pages. Further guidance notes University of Tunis-El Manar, and a member of note that this policy may be subject to change can be found on the application forms. We the research Unit of Technologies of Information and will be reviewed later in the current aca- have added an Application Checklist which we and Communication (UTIC), Higher School of demic year. Any changes will be published on hope you will find useful. We will be chang- Sciences and Technologies of Tunis, Tunisia. Pro- the website. Please note that applications are ing to an on-line application and reporting fessor Eloumi will give the following lectures: made via Scheme 1. system under phase 2 of the upgrade of the • 1 February, Stringmasters 2011, website, which will commence in 2011. contact Laurent Mouchard Joint Research Groups Supported by the LMS ([email protected]) Details of forthcoming meetings to be held Deadlines • 7–8 February, LSD&LAW (London by these groups are normally included in the From 1 February 2011, the deadlines for ap- Stringology Days/London Algorithmic Calendar of Events section of the LMS website. plying will be set according to the date of the Workshop); contact German Tischler event. See the table above. ([email protected]) Membership Information Packs • Leicester University, to be arranged; As part of a new initiative, the Society will be • Applications should be submitted well in contact Rajeev Raman ([email protected]) asking the organisers of LMS-sponsored con- advance of the date of the conference or • Guy’s Hospital, to be arranged, contact ferences and joint Research Groups to encour- visit. Kimon Frousios ([email protected]) age participants at their meetings to join the • Please note that applications will not The talks will be on topics in Computational Society. Membership packs, which include be considered between mid-June and Biology. For more details contact Costas information about the LMS, and application mid-October. Iliopoulos ([email protected]). This visit is sup- forms, will be sent to the organisers. • Grants will not be made retrospectively. ported by an LMS Scheme 5 grant.

Jan11-NL.indd 7 20/12/2010 15:45:21 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]

2010–11 COUNCIL As a result of the annual election, membership of the Council is the following: President Professor A.J. Macintyre, FRS, FRSE (Queen Mary, University of London) Vice-Presidents Professor K.A. Brown, FRSE (Glasgow) Professor J.P.C. Greenlees (Sheffield) Treasurer Dr W.B. Stewart (Oxford) General Secretary Professor J.M.E. Hyland (Cambridge) Programme Secretary Dr S.A. Huggett (Plymouth) Publications Secretary Professor J.D.S. Jones (Warwick) Education Secretary Professor C.J. Budd (Bath) Members-at-Large * Dr J.E. Barrow-Green (Open University) (Librarian) Professor A.V. Borovik (Manchester) Dr D.E. Buck (Imperial College London) * Professor S.K. Donaldson, FRS (Imperial College London) Professor W.S. Kendall (Warwick) * Professor A. Laptev (Imperial College London) Dr M. Marletta (Cardiff) Dr C.M. Roney-Dougal (St Andrews)  * Professor G.B. Segal, FRS (Oxford) Professor U.L. Tillmann, FRS (Oxford) * Professor B.J. Totaro, FRS (Cambridge) * Professor R.A. Wilson (Queen Mary, University of London) * Members continuing the second year of their two-year election in 2009

Workshop on Mathematics Journals

A workshop on mathematics journals will be held from 14 to 16 February 2011 at MSRI, Berkeley, USA. Mathematics relies on its journal literature as the main conduit for peer review and dis- semination of research, and it does so more heavily and differently to other scientific fields. The conflict between universal access and the traditional subscription model that funds the journals has been debated for the past decade. The workshop will discuss what is important and unique to the publishing of mathematical research articles and how we can best ensure that publishing practices sup- port peer reviewed research in the long term. The invited speakers are • Sir John Ball (Oxford) • Jean-Pierre Bourguignon (IHÉS, France) • David Clark (Elsevier)

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2010–11 COUNCIL As a result of the annual election, membership of the Council is the following: President Professor A.J. Macintyre, FRS, FRSE (Queen Mary, University of London) Vice-Presidents Professor K.A. Brown, FRSE (Glasgow) Professor J.P.C. Greenlees (Sheffield) Treasurer Dr W.B. Stewart (Oxford) General Secretary Professor J.M.E. Hyland (Cambridge) Programme Secretary Dr S.A. Huggett (Plymouth) Publications Secretary Professor J.D.S. Jones (Warwick) Education Secretary Professor C.J. Budd (Bath) Members-at-Large * Dr J.E. Barrow-Green (Open University) (Librarian) Professor A.V. Borovik (Manchester) Dr D.E. Buck (Imperial College London) * Professor S.K. Donaldson, FRS (Imperial College London) Professor W.S. Kendall (Warwick) * Professor A. Laptev (Imperial College London) Dr M. Marletta (Cardiff) Dr C.M. Roney-Dougal (St Andrews) * Professor G.B. Segal, FRS (Oxford)  Professor U.L. Tillmann, FRS (Oxford) * Professor B.J. Totaro, FRS (Cambridge) * Professor R.A. Wilson (Queen Mary, University of London) * Members continuing the second year of their two-year election in 2009

Workshop on Mathematics Journals

A workshop on mathematics journals will be • Jim Crowley (SIAM) held from 14 to 16 February 2011 at MSRI, • David Gabai (Princeton) Berkeley, USA. • Robert Guralnick (USC) Mathematics relies on its journal literature • Susan Hezlet (LMS) as the main conduit for peer review and dis- • Carol Hutchins (Courant Institute, NY) semination of research, and it does so more • Rob Kirby (UC Berkeley and MSP) heavily and differently to other scientific • Hans Koelsch (Springer) fields. The conflict between universal access • Matthias Kreck (Bonn, Germany) and the traditional subscription model that • Angus Macintyre (QMUL, UK) funds the journals has been debated for the • Paulo Mangiafico (Duke University) past decade. The workshop will discuss what • Don McClure (AMS) is important and unique to the publishing of • Sam Rankin (AMS) mathematical research articles and how we • Bernard Teissier (Jussieu Inst. Math., France) can best ensure that publishing practices sup- • John Vaughn (Association of American port peer reviewed research in the long term. Universities) The invited speakers are • Mira Waller (Duke University Press) • Sir John Ball (Oxford) • Tom Ward (University of East Anglia, UK) • Jean-Pierre Bourguignon (IHÉS, France) For further information regarding participa- • David Clark (Elsevier) tion, see http://tinyurl.com/msri-mathjournals.

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NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]

CHRISTOPHER ZEEMAN The ASE Annual Conference will be held at LONG-STANDING MEMBERS the University of Reading from Wednesday 5 MEDAL to Saturday 8 January 2011. For more informa- The following is a list of who have completed fifty years or more of member- ship of the London Mathematical Society, with their date of election. Deadline tion visit the ASE website at www.ase.org.uk. 17 Mar 943 Dyson, F.J. Readers are reminded that the deadline for NATIONAL MEDAL OF 15 Jun 944 Williams, A.E. receipt of nominations for the 2011 IMA–LMS 25 Jan 945 Ollerenshaw, K. SCIENCE AWARDED TO 23 May 1946 Huppert, E.L. Christopher Zeeman Medal is Friday 11 February 23 May 1946 Rees, D. 2011. To put someone forward for the medal, MATHEMATICIAN 16 Jan 947 Macbeath, A.M. please contact the IMA for a nomination form 20 Mar 1947 Hayman, W.K. by writing to: The LMS would like to congratulate honor- 22 May 1947 Ghaffari, A. The Secretary to the Christopher Zeeman ary member Professor of 19 Jun 947 Cassels, J.W.S. 18 Mar 1948 Isaacs, G.L. Medal Brown University, USA on receiving the Na- 18 Mar 1948 Reade, M.O. The Institute of Mathematics and its tional Medal of Science. Professor Mumford 17 Jun 1948 Bateman, P.T. Applications received his medal from President Obama in 18 Nov 1948 Mullender, P. Catherine Richards House a ceremony at the White House in November 13 Dec 1948 Fishel, B. 20 Jan 1949 Borwein, D. 16 Nelson Street 2010. The medal is ‘the highest honour for 19 Jan 1950 Shepherdson, J.C. Southend-on-Sea achievement in science bestowed by the 16 Feb 1950 Lehner, J. 10 Essex SS1 1EF President of the US’. Mumford is also a Fields 23 Mar 1950 Ponting, F.W. or by email to [email protected] Medal winner and former President of the 14 Dec 1950 Patterson, E.M. For full details of Zeeman Medal see the International Mathematical Union (IMU). 19 Apr 1951 Chen, D.L.C. 17 May 1951 Roth, K.F. Society’s December Newsletter (No. 398) or Professor Mumford was awarded a Fields 14 Jun 951 Jackson, M. email [email protected]. Medal in 1974 for his work in algebraic 20 Dec 1951 Dowker, Y.N. – on moduli spaces and geometric 20 Dec 1951 Herszberg, J. KAVLI MEDAL invariant theory. Later he made an aston- 17 Jan 952 Wilson, D.H. 15 Feb 1952 Shephard, G.C. ishing change of direction and since then Presentation and Lecture 20 Mar 1952 Bonsall, F.F. has concentrated on applied mathematics 20 Mar 1952 Swinnerton-Dyer, H.P.F. The President of the Royal Society, Sir Paul – mainly in computer and biological vision. 20 Nov 1952 Knight, A.J. Nurse, will present the inaugural Kavli Edu- Mumford has made a seminal contribution 18 Dec 1952 Reeve, J.E. cation Medal to Professor Celia Hoyles, for to the relatively young field of Artificial Intel- 18 Jun 1953 Marstrand, J.M. 18 Jun 1953 Rayner, M.E. her outstanding contribution to research ligence, by bringing mathematical concepts, 17 Dec 1953 Ringrose, J.R. in mathematics education. The medal will especially variational analysis and probabilis- 17 Dec 1953 Samet, P.A. be presented to Professor Hoyles at the tic modelling, to bear on hard problems in 21 Jan 954 Zeeman, E.C. Association for Science Education’s (ASE) An- the analysis of images. Although almost all 18 Feb 1954 Cohen, D.E. 18 Feb 1954 James, I.M. nual Conference, University of Reading, on pure mathematicians are aware of his fun- 17 Jun 954 Taylor, S.J. Thursday 6 January 2011. damental work in they 25 Nov 1954 Amson, J.C. The presentation will be followed at 11.30– may be less aware of the enormous impact 25 Nov 1954 Halberstam, H. 12.30 by Professor Hoyles’ lecture Tackling the of his formulation of the segmentation and 16 Dec 1954 Preston, G.B. mathematics: potential and challenges. Pro- boundary-detection problems in terms of 27 Jan 955 Atiyah, M.F. 24 Feb 1955 Rayner, F.J. fessor Hoyles will look at some of the major the variational calculus. This formulation 24 Mar 1955 Farahat, H.K. findings of her research in mathematics edu- constructs a bridge between computer vision 12 May 1955 Harrop, R. cation, including using ICT to support learning and differential equations and numerical 12 May 1955 Murdoch, B.H. and the skills needed in modern workplaces. analysis, with stunning results. Applications 12 May 1955 Wall, G.E. 15 Dec 1955 Butler, M.C.R. She will draw out the implications of her re- such as image de-noising, image sharpening, 15 Dec 1955 Armitage, J.V. search as starting points to discuss the effec- and image segmentation are now routinely 19 Jan 1956 Bowers, J.F. tive teaching of mathematics – and of science. done within the Mumford formulation. 15 Mar 1956 Edmunds, D.E.

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The ASE Annual Conference will be held at LONG-STANDING MEMBERS the University of Reading from Wednesday 5 to Saturday 8 January 2011. For more informa- The following is a list of mathematicians who have completed fifty years or more of member- tion visit the ASE website at www.ase.org.uk. ship of the London Mathematical Society, with their date of election. 17 Mar 943 Dyson, F.J. 15 Mar 1956 Horrocks, G. NATIONAL MEDAL OF 15 Jun 944 Williams, A.E. 19 Apr 1956 Penrose, R. 25 Jan 945 Ollerenshaw, K. 14 Jun 956 Collins, W.D. SCIENCE AWARDED TO 23 May 1946 Huppert, E.L. 14 Jun 956 Noble, M.E. 23 May 1946 Rees, D. 14 Jun 956 Perry, R.L. MATHEMATICIAN 16 Jan 947 Macbeath, A.M. 15 Nov 1956 Edwards, D.A. 20 Mar 1947 Hayman, W.K. 14 Mar 1957 Brown, R. The LMS would like to congratulate honor- 22 May 1947 Ghaffari, A. 14 Mar 1957 Dunnage, J.E.A. ary member Professor David Mumford of 19 Jun 947 Cassels, J.W.S. 13 Jun 1957 Brown, A.L. 18 Mar 1948 Isaacs, G.L. 18 Jun 1957 Russell, D.C. Brown University, USA on receiving the Na- 18 Mar 1948 Reade, M.O. 21 Nov 957 Wallington, J.E. tional Medal of Science. Professor Mumford 17 Jun 1948 Bateman, P.T. 19 Dec 1957 Divinsky, N.J. received his medal from President Obama in 18 Nov 1948 Mullender, P. 19 Dec 1957 Everitt, W.N. a ceremony at the White House in November 13 Dec 1948 Fishel, B. 19 Dec 1957 Longdon, L.W. 20 Jan 1949 Borwein, D. 2010. The medal is ‘the highest honour for 19 Dec 1957 Mohamed, I.J. 19 Jan 1950 Shepherdson, J.C. 19 Dec 1957 Monk, D. achievement in science bestowed by the 16 Feb 1950 Lehner, J. 19 Dec 1957 Moran, S. President of the US’. Mumford is also a Fields 23 Mar 1950 Ponting, F.W. 19 Dec 1957 Newman, M.F. 11 Medal winner and former President of the 14 Dec 1950 Patterson, E.M. 19 Dec 1957 Schneider, H. International Mathematical Union (IMU). 19 Apr 1951 Chen, D.L.C. 16 Jan 1958 Flanders, H. 17 May 1951 Roth, K.F. Professor Mumford was awarded a Fields 20 Feb 1958 Clunie, J.G. 14 Jun 951 Jackson, M. 20 Mar 1958 Keedwell, A.D. Medal in 1974 for his work in algebraic 20 Dec 1951 Dowker, Y.N. 20 Mar 1958 Wallace, D.A.R. geometry – on moduli spaces and geometric 20 Dec 1951 Herszberg, J. 17 Apr 1958 Macdonald, I.G. 17 Jan 952 Wilson, D.H. invariant theory. Later he made an aston- 15 May 1958 Foster, D.M.E. 15 Feb 1952 Shephard, G.C. 19 Jun 1958 Green, J.A. ishing change of direction and since then 20 Mar 1952 Bonsall, F.F. 20 Nov 1958 Rigby, J.F. has concentrated on applied mathematics 20 Mar 1952 Swinnerton-Dyer, H.P.F. 17 Dec 1958 De Barra, G. – mainly in computer and biological vision. 20 Nov 1952 Knight, A.J. 18 Dec 1952 Reeve, J.E. 18 Dec 1958 Birch, B.J. Mumford has made a seminal contribution 18 Dec 1958 Hallett, J.T. to the relatively young field of Artificial Intel- 18 Jun 1953 Marstrand, J.M. 18 Jun 1953 Rayner, M.E. 18 Dec 1958 Higgins, P.J. ligence, by bringing mathematical concepts, 17 Dec 1953 Ringrose, J.R. 18 Dec 1958 McLeod, J.B. especially variational analysis and probabilis- 17 Dec 1953 Samet, P.A. 18 Dec 1958 Miller, J.B. tic modelling, to bear on hard problems in 21 Jan 954 Zeeman, E.C. 15 Jan 1959 Blackburn, N. 16 Apr 1959 Burgess, D.A. the analysis of images. Although almost all 18 Feb 1954 Cohen, D.E. 18 Feb 1954 James, I.M. 16 Apr 1959 Manogue, J.F. pure mathematicians are aware of his fun- 17 Jun 954 Taylor, S.J. 21 May 1959 Ingram, G. damental work in algebraic geometry they 25 Nov 1954 Amson, J.C. 18 Jun 1959 Carter, R.W. may be less aware of the enormous impact 25 Nov 1954 Halberstam, H. 17 Dec 1959 Eames, W.P. of his formulation of the segmentation and 16 Dec 1954 Preston, G.B. 17 Dec 1959 Hoskins, R.F. 17 Dec 1959 Porteous, I.R. boundary-detection problems in terms of 27 Jan 955 Atiyah, M.F. 24 Feb 1955 Rayner, F.J. 17 Dec 1959 West, A. the variational calculus. This formulation 24 Mar 1955 Farahat, H.K. 17 Mar 1960 Guy, R.K. constructs a bridge between computer vision 12 May 1955 Harrop, R. 17 Mar 1960 Andreadakis, S. and differential equations and numerical 12 May 1955 Murdoch, B.H. 17 Mar 1960 Harris, D.J. analysis, with stunning results. Applications 12 May 1955 Wall, G.E. 18 Mar 1960 Scourfield, E.J. 15 Dec 1955 Butler, M.C.R. 18 Mar 1960 Strauss, D. such as image de-noising, image sharpening, 15 Dec 1955 Armitage, J.V. 19 May 1960 Hoare, A.H.M. and image segmentation are now routinely 19 Jan 1956 Bowers, J.F. 17 Nov 1960 Morris, A.O done within the Mumford formulation. 15 Mar 1956 Edmunds, D.E. 15 Dec 1960 Turner-Smith, R.F..

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NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]

MATHEMATICS 2010/11 and 2011/12 academic years visiting his life he also invested much time and energy the Department of Mathematics at the London in the British Humanist Association, particu- GENEALOGY PROJECT School of Economics and Political Science. He larly in the Chester group close to his home in The Mathematics Genealogy Project seeks can be reached by email at project@genealogy. North Wales. to record part of the history of mathematics math.ndsu.nodak.edu. Allan is survived by his sons, Andrew and through the PhD supervisory relationship. It The Project is funded through some support David, and his partner Anantamani. maintains a database that contains as much from NDSU and the AMS and donations. An- of the following information as it can about other source of support is the sale of personal- NIGEL KALTON mathematicians: ised posters showing all of a mathematician’s • Full name academic ancestors and descendants. Posters Professor Nigel Kalton died on 5 September • Year of degree showing a department’s collective ancestry are 2010 , aged 64. • Degree type (PhD, DPhil, etc.) also often feasible. More information about Nigel graduated from Cambridge University • Degree-granting institution posters (including samples) can be found on and completed his in 1970 under • title the Project’s website. the supervision of Ben Garling. After a year • Thesis primary mathematics subject in Warwick, he moved to University College classification ALLAN MUIR of Swansea before leaving in 1979 for the • Supervisor(s) name(s) University of Missouri in Columbia, USA. The database contains over 146,000 records, Dr Allan Muir, who was elected a member of Nigel was an outstanding and highly influen- 12 allowing many mathematicians to trace their the London Mathematical Society on 16 May tial mathematician. He wrote over 270 papers academic ancestry back to the 14th century. 1986, died on 17 October 2010, aged 74. and six books on diverse topics both within The Project seeks to record doctoral degrees, Martin Zarrop writes: Allan’s slightly late Functional Analysis and in related areas of anal- but recognizes that the British academic sys- choice of mathematics as his main preoccupa- ysis. He was a renowned problem solver and tem adopted this degree at a later stage than tion in life took him from the National Physics was even known to have solved one problem some countries. In cases where a mathemati- Laboratory to University College London at the of some twenty years standing during a lecture cian does not hold a doctorate but did super- age of 19 and then to a mathematics lecture- where it was being discussed! vise students, recording the individual’s highest ship at Leicester University. In 1963 he moved In 2005, he was awarded the prestigious degree and primary mathematical influence(s) to a lecturing post in newly liberated Ghana, Banach Medal from the Polish Academy of Sci- is appropriate. later returning to lecture in the Department of ences for the most significant contributions to Mathematicians are encouraged to visit the Mathematics at City University London where Banach space theory. In Missouri, Nigel won the Project’s website at www.genealogy.math. he spent the remainder of his career. Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Research ndsu.nodak.edu to verify their information. Allan’s mathematical interests were always in 1984 and the Weldon Spring Presidential A data submission form is available there to wide ranging and included logic, lattice- Award for outstanding research in 1987. make additions and corrections. Since data valued relations, automata, non-commutative Nigel loved to travel and was a much submissions are reviewed manually, updates algebra, quantum electrodynamics, economic sought-after speaker at conferences. He vis- may take up to three weeks to appear online. game theory and systems biology. In his re- ited many mathematics departments through- Mathematics departments are encouraged to search he worked for many years with his out the world for extended stays when on verify that the list of their graduates is correct. departmental colleague Mary Wynne Warner study leave, his influence and enthusiasm The Mathematics Genealogy Project is a as well as Denis Glycopantis, Head of Economics inspiring countless mathematicians. He was service of North Dakota State University (Fargo, at City University, and Olaf Wolkenhauer, Pro- also a popular teacher with his students, ND, USA) and the American Mathematical fessor of Systems Biology at Rostock University both undergraduate and graduate, being Society. Mitchel T. Keller is the Project’s second in Germany. These collaborations resulted in approachable and generous with his time. Managing Director. Dr Keller is spending the many pleasurable hours of mathematical and Beyond mathematics, Nigel had many inter-  Degrees awarded through the University of London philosophical discussion as well as a number of ests. He was a talented chess player, winning can be recorded either under ‘University of London’ or joint research papers and articles. the Major Open at the British Championship the constituent college at which the degree recipient His enthusiasm for mathematics and philos- in 1970, though giving up competitive play studied. ophy never waned and in the last decade of in 1976. He was also a racquetball enthusiast.

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2010/11 and 2011/12 academic years visiting his life he also invested much time and energy Above all, he was a family man, never happier the Department of Mathematics at the London in the British Humanist Association, particu- than when playing with his children and grand- School of Economics and Political Science. He larly in the Chester group close to his home in children. He is survived by his wife Jennifer, chil- can be reached by email at project@genealogy. North Wales. dren Neil and Helen, and four grandchildren. math.ndsu.nodak.edu. Allan is survived by his sons, Andrew and Geoff Wood, University of Swansea The Project is funded through some support David, and his partner Anantamani. Alastair Gillespie, from NDSU and the AMS and donations. An- other source of support is the sale of personal- NIGEL KALTON VISIT OF PROFESSOR ised posters showing all of a mathematician’s academic ancestors and descendants. Posters Professor Nigel Kalton died on 5 September D.G. KONSTANTINIDES showing a department’s collective ancestry are 2010 , aged 64. Professor Dimitrios G. Konstantinides (Univer- also often feasible. More information about Nigel graduated from Cambridge University sity of the Aegean, Samos, Greece) is visiting posters (including samples) can be found on and completed his doctorate in 1970 under the UK from 16 to 30 January 2011. Professor the Project’s website. the supervision of Ben Garling. After a year Konstantinides’s work addresses a wide range in Warwick, he moved to University College of topics in modelling in economic ALLAN MUIR of Swansea before leaving in 1979 for the environments. He will give seminars at: University of Missouri in Columbia, USA. • Heriot-Watt University, 21 January; Dr Allan Muir, who was elected a member of Nigel was an outstanding and highly influen- contact Sergey Foss ([email protected]) the London Mathematical Society on 16 May tial mathematician. He wrote over 270 papers • University of Edinburgh, 26 January; 13 1986, died on 17 October 2010, aged 74. and six books on diverse topics both within contact Burak Buke ([email protected]) Martin Zarrop writes: Allan’s slightly late Functional Analysis and in related areas of anal- • University of Strathclyde, 28 January; choice of mathematics as his main preoccupa- ysis. He was a renowned problem solver and contact Xuerong Mao ([email protected]) tion in life took him from the National Physics was even known to have solved one problem Professor Konstantinides will be based at Laboratory to University College London at the of some twenty years standing during a lecture Heriot-Watt University during his stay, hosted age of 19 and then to a mathematics lecture- where it was being discussed! by Sergey Foss ([email protected]). The visit is ship at Leicester University. In 1963 he moved In 2005, he was awarded the prestigious supported by an LMS Scheme 2 grant. to a lecturing post in newly liberated Ghana, Banach Medal from the Polish Academy of Sci- later returning to lecture in the Department of ences for the most significant contributions to VISIT OF DR O. DERZHO Mathematics at City University London where Banach space theory. In Missouri, Nigel won the he spent the remainder of his career. Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Research Dr Oleg Derzho (Physics and Physical Ocean- Allan’s mathematical interests were always in 1984 and the Weldon Spring Presidential ography, Memorial University, Canada) is visiting wide ranging and included logic, lattice- Award for outstanding research in 1987. the UK from 24 January to 11 February 2011. Dr valued relations, automata, non-commutative Nigel loved to travel and was a much Derzho works on nonlinear waves in geophysi- algebra, quantum electrodynamics, economic sought-after speaker at conferences. He vis- cal fluid dynamics. He will give seminars at: game theory and systems biology. In his re- ited many mathematics departments through- • St Andrews University, 28 January; contact search he worked for many years with his out the world for extended stays when on Magda Carr ([email protected]) departmental colleague Mary Wynne Warner study leave, his influence and enthusiasm • University College London, 31 January; as well as Denis Glycopantis, Head of Economics inspiring countless mathematicians. He was contact Ted Johnson ([email protected]) at City University, and Olaf Wolkenhauer, Pro- also a popular teacher with his students, • Loughborough University, 1 February; contact fessor of Systems Biology at Rostock University both undergraduate and graduate, being Roger Grimshaw ([email protected]) in Germany. These collaborations resulted in approachable and generous with his time. • University of Keele, 2 February; contact many pleasurable hours of mathematical and Beyond mathematics, Nigel had many inter- Victor Shrira ([email protected]) philosophical discussion as well as a number of ests. He was a talented chess player, winning Dr Derzho will be based at Loughborough joint research papers and articles. the Major Open at the British Championship University during his stay, hosted by Roger His enthusiasm for mathematics and philos- in 1970, though giving up competitive play Grimshaw ([email protected]). The ophy never waned and in the last decade of in 1976. He was also a racquetball enthusiast. visit is supported by an LMS Scheme 2 grant.

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NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]

ISAAC NEWTON INSTITUTE FOR MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

DESIGNED EXPERIMENTS: RECENT ADVANCES IN METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 30 August – 2 September 2011 in association with the Newton Institute programme entitled Design and Analysis of Experiments (18 July – 21 December 2011)

Organisers: S. Biedermann (Southampton), S. Gilmour (QMUL), H. Grossmann (QMUL), B. Torsney (Glasgow), D. Woods (Southampton).

Theme of conference: Design of Experiments is a fundamental part of the knowledge discovery process in science and engineering, and has impact in a wide variety of fields. Long-standing principles of experimentation, such as ramdomization, replication and blocking have become standards of best practice in many areas. In return, stimulus for novel research in the Design of Experiments comes from advances in technology and techniques in application fields important to science and society. These advances often result in complex experiments, for example with large numbers of factors, 14 many levels of randomization, or with the aim of estimating or discriminating between nonlinear models. When these experiments cannot be designed using established methods, they motivate methodological and theoretical advances in the design of experiments. Many recent advances in the subject have come from just this synergy between application and methodology. DEMA 2011 will bring together researchers and practitioners for the interchange of new ideas on the design and analysis of experiments. The workshop will emphasise both methodology and application areas and should be of interest to scientists and engineers who use experiments, as well as to statisticians. The workshop will consist of a number of invited presentations from international speakers. Applications are also encouraged for contributed talks and posters. Funding may be avail- able to support the attendance of early-career researchers and PhD students.

Further information and application forms are available from the website at: www.newton.ac.uk/ programmes/DAE/daew04.html. Closing date for the receipt of applications is 31 March 2011. VISIT OF PROFESSOR J. BURILLO

VISIT OF PROFESSOR A. KARLSSON Professor José Burillo (Universitat Polit�cnica de Barcelona) will visit the UK from 23 January Professor Anders Karlsson (University of • , 1 Feburary; to 6 February 2011. Professor Burillo’s research Geneva) will be visiting the UK from 23 contact Mark Pollicott area is geometric group theory. He is an expert January to 5 February. Professor Karlsson’s ([email protected]) on the properties of the family of Thompson’s research covers areas ranging from spectral • , 3 February; groups, in particular the metric properties graph theory and ergodic theory to metric contact Alexander Gorodnik of their Cayley graphs, and has also studied geometry and random walks on groups. He ([email protected]) or questions of amenability of groups, primitive will give seminars at: Jens Marklof ([email protected]) elements of free groups and growth of groups. • Durham University, Further information about the visit can be Professor Burillo will give seminars at: 24 January; obtained from Norbert Peyerimhoff (norbert. • Newcastle, Geometry and Algebra Seminar, contact Norbert Peyerimhoff [email protected]). The visit is sup- 27 January; contact Sarah Rees ([email protected]) ported by an LMS Scheme 2 grant. ([email protected])

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ISAAC NEWTON INSTITUTE FOR MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

OPTIMUM DESIGN FOR MIXED EFFECTS NON-LINEAR AND GENERALISED LINEAR MODELS 9–12 August 2011 in association with the Newton Institute programme entitled Design and Analysis of Experiments (18 July – 21 December 2011)

Organisers: D.B. Bogacka (Queen Mary), S. Leonov (GlaxoSmithKline). Theme of conference: Mixed effects non-linear and generalised linear models have recently received considerable interest with respect to modelling issues and statistical analysis. However, the theory of optimum design for such models has got somewhat less attention in the statistical literature. In 2006 a small meeting Population Optimum Design of Experiments (PODE) started a series of annual work- shops dedicated to the theory and applications of design of experiments for PK/PD mixed models, see www.maths.qmul.ac.uk/~bb/ PODE/PODE. However, the theory of design for mixed-effects models has been developed independently of any applications as well as for other specific problems, for example choice experiments. Hence, we would like to get together a wider group of those interested 15 in the area of design of experiments for mixed-effects generalised linear models and non-linear models, to share their experience and to further the theory. Optimum design theory cannot develop without good knowledge of statistical issues in modelling, estimation and hypothesis testing. Hence, we plan to have talks in these topics together with talks on experimental design. We plan to include PODE in the workshop and have talks in the area of optimum design for population PK/PD models. On Friday 12 August, the last day of the workshop, we will have dedicated one-hour lectures, invited and contributed talks, poster sessions as well as a lot of time for informal discussions. Further information and application forms are available from the website at: www.newton.ac.uk/ programmes/DAE/daew02.html. Closing date for the receipt of applications is 30 April 2011.

VISIT OF PROFESSOR J. BURILLO

VISIT OF PROFESSOR A. KARLSSON Professor José Burillo (Universitat Polit�cnica • Southampton, Algebra Seminar, de Barcelona) will visit the UK from 23 January 28 January; • University of Warwick, 1 Feburary; to 6 February 2011. Professor Burillo’s research contact Armando Martino contact Mark Pollicott area is geometric group theory. He is an expert ([email protected]) ([email protected]) on the properties of the family of Thompson’s • St Andrews, Pure Mathematics Colloquium, • University of Bristol, 3 February; groups, in particular the metric properties 1 February; contact Alexander Gorodnik of their Cayley graphs, and has also studied contact Collin Bleak ([email protected]) or questions of amenability of groups, primitive ([email protected]) Jens Marklof ([email protected]) elements of free groups and growth of groups. For further details consult seminar web Further information about the visit can be Professor Burillo will give seminars at: pages. Professor Burillo will spend a few days obtained from Norbert Peyerimhoff (norbert. • Newcastle, Geometry and Algebra Seminar, in each of the three institutions. The visit will [email protected]). The visit is sup- 27 January; contact Sarah Rees be coordinated by Sarah Rees and is support- ported by an LMS Scheme 2 grant. ([email protected]) ed by an LMS Scheme 2 grant.

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NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]

MATHEMATICS POLICY ROUND UP Raising standards. In the last 10 years we have slipped behind other nations, going from 4th International Review of Mathematics Tuition fees in the world for science to 14th and 8th in the The LMS submitted three papers to the Inter- The government has set a basic threshold of world for mathematics to 24th. national Review Panel in November 2010; two £6000 per annum for tuition fees in England. position statements: Doctoral Training in Mathe- In exceptional circumstances there would be Key points: matics in the UK and UK Mathematical Sciences an absolute limit of £9000. No publicly-funded • reform the National Curriculum so it is a – Research and Teaching in Symbiosis, and university will be able to charge more than benchmark we can use to measure ourselves one briefing paper: UK government funding this for its undergraduate courses. against the world’s best school systems for mathematical sciences research. These are The government also proposed a more • slim down the curriculum by stripping out available on the LMS website www.lms.ac.uk. progressive repayment structure. At present unnecessary clutter and simply specifying the graduates start repaying when their income core knowledge in strategic subjects which Research Excellence Framework (REF) updates reaches £15,000. The repayment threshold every child should know at each key stage The full list of main and sub-panel chairs is now will be increased to £21,000, and will there- available on the HEFCE website at www.hefce. after increase periodically to reflect earnings. Support the drive to raise standards for all by ac.uk/research/ref. The repayment will be 9% of income above reforming exams: During 2010 the REF team ran a pilot exer- £21,000, and all outstanding repayments • make GCSEs more rigorous by stripping out cise aimed at testing the feasibility of assessing will be written off after 30 years. Raising the modules 16 research impact, and to develop the method of threshold reduces the monthly repayments • make GCSE performance tables more assessment for use in the REF. The findings from for every graduate. aspirational by judging schools on how the impact pilot exercise have now been pub- A real interest rate will be introduced on well all students do not just in English and lished. Reports, recommendations, and example a progressive taper. For graduates earning mathematics but also in science, modern case studies are available on the HEFCE website below £21,000, the real rate of interest will languages and the humanities like history at www.hefce.ac.uk/ research/ref/impact. remain at zero. For graduates earning between and geography £21,000 and around £41,000, a real rate of interest will be Teaching: tapered in to reach a maxi- • invest in doubling the number of top mum of inflation plus 3%. graduates who enter teaching through the When graduates are earning Teach First programme above £41,000 they will be • create a new programme, Teach Next, making a full contribution to to attract high performers from other the costs of the system but still professions into teaching incurring interest well below • subsidise graduates in strategic subjects normal commercial rates. For such as science and mathematics to enter more information visit http:// teaching tinyurl.com/39hfxvo. A copy of the White Paper is available at Education White Paper http://tinyurl.com/2ukoqgd. The Secretary of State for Edu- cation, Michael Gove published Cambridge Assessment publishes the long-awaited Education international curriculum analysis White Paper The Importance Tim Oates, the Director of Research at Cam- of Teaching in November. The bridge Assessment, has said repeated changes key points affecting mathe- to the National Curriculum have promoted a matics and science are listed ‘tick list’ approach to teaching. In his recent © ScienceCartoonsPlus.com on the next page. report Could do better: Using international

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MATHEMATICS POLICY ROUND UP Raising standards. In the last 10 years we have comparisons to refine the National Curriculum slipped behind other nations, going from 4th in England, Oates – who will help lead a Coali- Tuition fees in the world for science to 14th and 8th in the tion review of the curriculum – called for it to The government has set a basic threshold of world for mathematics to 24th. be simplified. The report is available at http:// £6000 per annum for tuition fees in England. tinyurl.com/2bs9xhq In exceptional circumstances there would be Key points: an absolute limit of £9000. No publicly-funded • reform the National Curriculum so it is a Immigration cap university will be able to charge more than benchmark we can use to measure ourselves In November 2010 the government announced this for its undergraduate courses. against the world’s best school systems new measures that will strictly control the num- The government also proposed a more • slim down the curriculum by stripping out bers that can come to the UK and work from progressive repayment structure. At present unnecessary clutter and simply specifying the outside Europe. graduates start repaying when their income core knowledge in strategic subjects which As well as limiting the number of skilled reaches £15,000. The repayment threshold every child should know at each key stage non-EU workers businesses can bring into the will be increased to £21,000, and will there- country, the Home Office is tightening the after increase periodically to reflect earnings. Support the drive to raise standards for all by intra-company transfer route which will sit The repayment will be 9% of income above reforming exams: outside the annual limit, and restricting ‘tier £21,000, and all outstanding repayments • make GCSEs more rigorous by stripping out one’ of the Points-Based System (PBS) to all but will be written off after 30 years. Raising the modules entrepreneurs, investors and people of excep- threshold reduces the monthly repayments • make GCSE performance tables more tional talent. 17 for every graduate. aspirational by judging schools on how Annual limit. To control the number coming A real interest rate will be introduced on well all students do not just in English and here, the government has committed to: a progressive taper. For graduates earning mathematics but also in science, modern • introducing an annual limit of 21,700 for below £21,000, the real rate of interest will languages and the humanities like history those coming into the UK under the skilled remain at zero. For graduates earning between and geography and highly-skilled routes – 20,700 under £21,000 and around £41,000, the skilled route and 1000 under the new a real rate of interest will be Teaching: ‘exceptional talent’ route tapered in to reach a maxi- • invest in doubling the number of top • raising to £40,000 the minimum salary for mum of inflation plus 3%. graduates who enter teaching through the those coming for more than 12 months When graduates are earning Teach First programme through the intra-company transfer route above £41,000 they will be • create a new programme, Teach Next, • requiring occupations in ‘tier two’ to be at making a full contribution to to attract high performers from other graduate level the costs of the system but still professions into teaching The government became determined to incurring interest well below • subsidise graduates in strategic subjects make changes to tier one – the ‘highly-skilled’ normal commercial rates. For such as science and mathematics to enter tier – when it was revealed that approximate- more information visit http:// teaching ly a third of those coming through this route tinyurl.com/39hfxvo. were actually doing low-skilled jobs once they A copy of the White Paper is available at were in the UK. Businesses have made it clear Education White Paper http://tinyurl.com/2ukoqgd. that their priority is to fill their specific vacan- The Secretary of State for Edu- cies through tier two. cation, Michael Gove published Cambridge Assessment publishes Consultation. A consultation was launched the long-awaited Education international curriculum analysis at the end of the year focusing on tier four of White Paper The Importance Tim Oates, the Director of Research at Cam- the PBS – the student route – which currently of Teaching in November. The bridge Assessment, has said repeated changes accounts for two thirds of migrants enter- key points affecting mathe- to the National Curriculum have promoted a ing the UK each year. By introducing a system matics and science are listed ‘tick list’ approach to teaching. In his recent that is more selective and more robust, the on the next page. report Could do better: Using international government is aiming to stamp out abuse

Jan11-NL.indd 17 20/12/2010 15:45:26 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]

while continuing to attract the top students Select committees to our top universities. There were two important Select Committee The consultation covers areas including: sessions in late November. The Public Accounts • for adult students, focusing tier 4 on Committee took oral evidence from David Bell, higher-level courses and those offered by Permanent Secretary, and Jon Coles, Director Highly Trusted Sponsors General, Education Standards Directorate, • introducing tougher entry criteria such as Department for Education on Educating the English language competence next generation of scientists. The Science and • ensuring students wishing to extend Technology Committee took oral evidence their studies show evidence of academic from Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister of progression State for Universities and Science, and Profes- • limiting students’ entitlements to work sor Adrian Smith, Director General, Science and and sponsor dependants Research, Department of Business, Innovation • improving the accreditation process for and Skills, on the Spending Review 2010. education providers, alongside more Session transcripts are available at http:// rigorous inspections tinyurl.com/2fadjgo and http://tinyurl.com/ More information about the immigration 257bhpx. cap and the consultation is available at www. Dr John Johnston 18 homeoffice.gov.uk. Mathematics Promotion Unit

ISAAC NEWTON INSTITUTE FOR MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

DESIGN OF EXPERIMENTS IN HEALTHCARE 15–19 August 2011 in association with the Newton Institute programme entitled Design and Analysis of Experiments (18 July – 21 December 2011)

Organisers: S. Biedermann (Southampton), V. Dragalin (Quintiles, USA), S. Eldridge (QMUL), H. Grossman (QMUL), M. Krams (Johnson & Johnson), P. Müller (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center). Theme of conference: The purpose of this workshop is to gather together people working in various aspects of design experiments in health-care, in the widest understanding of that word, from drug development in pre-clinical and clinical trials, treatment individualisation, studies on primary care, and gathering of evidence for public policy, to choice experiments in health economics. Participants and speakers include experts from industry and academia. Several talks will specifically focus on challenges and problems arising with the practical implementation of proposed strategies. Presentations describing both the current attempts to use DoE to overcome the recognised inefficiencies of the traditional drug development as well as the new challenges in implementing the DoE in clinical trials will be a basis for exchange of information among the researchers from the pharmaceutical companies, regulatory authorities, and from academia. Further information and application forms are available from the website at: www.newton.ac.uk/ programmes/DAN/danw023.html. Closing date for the receipt of applications is 30 April 2011.

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Select committees There were two important Select Committee sessions in late November. The Public Accounts Committee took oral evidence from David Bell, Permanent Secretary, and Jon Coles, Director General, Education Standards Directorate, Department for Education on Educating the next generation of scientists. The Science and Technology Committee took oral evidence from Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science, and Profes- sor Adrian Smith, Director General, Science and Research, Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, on the Spending Review 2010. Session transcripts are available at http:// tinyurl.com/2fadjgo and http://tinyurl.com/ 257bhpx. Dr John Johnston Mathematics Promotion Unit 19

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NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]

Algebraic Number Theory

edited by J.W.S. Cassels A. Fröhlich 20 ISBN 978-0-9502734-2-6 Paperback, £35, US$55

First printed in 1967, this book has been essential reading for aspiring algebraic number theorists for more than forty years. It contains the lecture notes from an instructional conference held in Brighton in 1965, which was a milestone event that introduced class field theory as a standard tool of mathematics. There are landmark contributions from Serre and Tate. The book is a standard text for taught courses in algebraic number theory. This second edition includes a valuable list of errata compiled by mathemati- cians who have read and used the text over the years. Contributors: J.V. Armitage K. Gruenberg M. Kneser P. Roquette M.F. Atiyah H. Halberstam R.R. Laxton J-P. Serre B.J. Birch H. Hasse A. Lue H.P.F. Swinnerton-Dyer D.A. Burgess H.A. Heilbronn I.G. Macdonald J.T. Tate J.W.S. Cassels K. Hoechsmann J. Neggers C.T.C. Wall A. Fröhlich

Ordering information: The book may be ordered via the major online bookstores (e.g. Amazon UK, Amazon USA). A small number are also available directly from the LMS using the order form found at http://www.lms.ac.uk/CasselsFrohlich.pdf.

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TOPICS IN PROBABILITY LMS–EPSRC Short Course Mathematical Institute, , 3–8 April 2011 Organiser: Professor Alison Etheridge Course outline and prerequisites Algebraic Number Theory In the last fifty years, probability theory has emerged both as a core mathematical discipline, sitting alongside geometry, algebra and analysis, and as a fundamental way of thinking about the world. This five-day residential school will provide intensive courses on some of the most exciting edited by developments in modern probability theory. They will be accessible to first-year PhD students in mathematics. There will be three lecture courses of 5 lectures each: • Random networks: the preferential attachment paradigm (Peter Mörters, University of Bath) J.W.S. Cassels • Aggregation and coalescence (James Norris, ) A. Fröhlich • Bayesian approach to inverse problems (Andrew Stuart, University of Warwick) These will be supplemented by tutorial sessions and guest lectures. For further information see: 21 ISBN 978-0-9502734-2-6 www.stats.ox.ac.uk/people/academic_staff/alison_etheridge/lms-epsrc_short_course_2011. Paperback, £35, US$55 Participants might like to note that the meeting Random structures and dynamics, with minicourses by Alain Sznitman, Louigi Addario-Berry and Martin Barlow and a range of invited talks from across probability theory will take place in Oxford during the following week. First printed in 1967, this book has been essential reading for aspiring algebraic For further information see: number theorists for more than forty years. It contains the lecture notes from www.maths.ox.ac.uk/events/conferences/random-structures-and-dynamics an instructional conference held in Brighton in 1965, which was a milestone Application event that introduced class field theory as a standard tool of mathematics. Applications should be made using the registration form available via the Society’s website at: There are landmark contributions from Serre and Tate. The book is a standard www.lms.ac.uk/activities/rmc/sc/55.html. text for taught courses in algebraic number theory. The closing date for applications is Friday 25 February 2011. Numbers will be limited and those This second edition includes a valuable list of errata compiled by mathemati- interested are advised to make an early application. All applicants will be contacted approximately two weeks after this deadline; we will not be able to give information about individual applications cians who have read and used the text over the years. before then.

Contributors: Fees J.V. Armitage K. Gruenberg M. Kneser P. Roquette • All research students registered at a UK university will be charged a registration fee of £100. M.F. Atiyah H. Halberstam R.R. Laxton J-P. Serre They will not be charged for subsistence costs. B.J. Birch H. Hasse A. Lue H.P.F. Swinnerton-Dyer • UK-based postdocs will be charged a registration fee of £100, plus half the subsistence costs (£212), D.A. Burgess H.A. Heilbronn I.G. Macdonald J.T. Tate £312 in total. J.W.S. Cassels K. Hoechsmann J. Neggers C.T.C. Wall • All others (overseas students and postdocs, those working in industry) will be charged a registration A. Fröhlich fee of £250 plus the full subsistence costs (£424), £674 in total. All participants must pay their own travel costs (for EPSRC-funded students, this should be covered Ordering information: by their DTA). Fees are not payable until a place on the course is offered. The book may be ordered via the major online bookstores (e.g. Amazon UK, In the event of over-subscription, preference will be given to UK-based research students. Amazon USA). A small number are also available directly from the LMS using LMS–EPSRC Short Courses aim to provide training for postgraduate students in core areas of mathematics. Part of the order form found at http://www.lms.ac.uk/CasselsFrohlich.pdf. their success is the opportunity for students to meet other students working in related areas as well as the chance to meet a number of leading experts in the topic.

Jan11-NL.indd 21 20/12/2010 15:45:34 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]

RECORDS OF PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held on Friday 19 November 2010 at University College London. About 60 members and visitors were present for all or part of the meeting. The meeting began at 3.15 pm, with the President, Professor A.J. MACINTYRE, FRS, in the Chair. Members who had not yet voted were invited to hand their ballot papers NOVEL NUMERICAL to the Scrutineers, Professor P.T. Saunders and Dr D.J. Collins. MODELLING FOR THE Copies of the Trustees’ Report for 2009/10 were made available and the President invited questions. ATMOSPHERE AND OCEAN The Treasurer, Professor W.B. STEWART, presented his report on the Society’s finances A Royal Meteorological Society meet- during the 2009/10 financial year. ing on Next Generation Modelling Messrs Kingston Smith were re-appointed as auditors for 2010/11. Techniques for the Atmosphere and 22 14 people were elected to Ordinary Membership: M. Batchelor, N. Bez, A.D. Brooke- Ocean will take place on Wednesday Taylor, I. Cheltsov, F. Diamond, J. Einbeck, B.J. Green, M.A. Hallnäs, C. Pin Arias, 19 January 2011 at the Clore Lecture R.M.G. Reis, J. Sieber, D.J. Smith, E. Varvaruca, J. Voss; seven were elected to Associate Theatre, Huxley Building, Imperial College Membership: L.A.K. Blackburn, J.M. Fraser, J.T. Hyde, A.K. Nixon, B.T-L Pham-Dang, London. The next generation of models for H. Plotka, J. Stolte and eight were elected as Ordinary Members through reciprocal weather and climate prediction may look membership of an overseas mathematical society: K.S. Adegbie, M.H.A. Alrashed, very different from the current, well opti- V. Ambat, I.K. Dontwi, Z. Hu, G.B. Khosorovshahi, A. Madanshekaf, M.W. Schmitt. One mised generation. Future models may use member signed the book and was admitted to the Society. different grids which avoid the pole problem The President announced that the next meeting of the Society would be in and use unstructured or adaptive meshes. Edinburgh on 6 December 2010, and that the Records of Proceedings of the meetings During this meeting we will hear a history of in and Nottingham would be brought to the Mary Cartwright Lecture in developments of numerical methods for the Oxford on 25 February 2011. atmosphere, some new model developments at the US National Center for Atmospheric The Programme Secretary and Chair of the Web Working Group, Dr S.A. HUGGETT, Research (NCAR), some new model develop- presented his report on the new website. ments in the UK and an overview of some of The President, on Council’s behalf, presented certificates to the 2010 Society the challenges we face in designing models Prizewinners – : Professor Keith William (Bill) Morton; Fröhlich Prize: with static or dynamic mesh adaptation. The Professor Jonathan Keating, FRS; Whitehead Prizes: Dr Harald Helfgott, Professor Jens speakers are: Marklof, Dr Lasse Rempe and Dr Françoise Tisseur. The winner of the Senior Berwick • David Burridge (ex ECMWF) A history of Prize, Professor Dusa McDuff, FRS, was unable to attend. the numerical methods used for atmospheric Professor Helen Byrne gave a lecture on Modelling Matters in Medicine and Biology. prediction After tea, Professor Saunders announced the results of the ballot. The following • Bill Skamarock (NCAR) A nonhydrostatic Officers and Members of the Council were elected. President: A.J. Macintyre; atmospheric model using centroidal Voronoi Vice-Presidents: K.A. Brown, J.P.C. Greenlees; Treasurer: W.B. Stewart; General Secretary: meshes J.M.E. Hyland; Publications Secretary: J.D.S. Jones; Programme Secretary: S.A. Huggett; • Matthew Piggott (Imperial College London) Education Secretary: C.J. Budd; Members-at-Large of Council (for 2 year terms): 3D unstructured mesh ocean modelling A.V. Borovik, D.E. Buck, W.S. Kendall, M. Marletta, C.M. Roney-Dougal, U.L. Tillmann. • John Thuburn (University of Exeter) Six Members-at-Large who were elected for two years in 2009 have a year left to serve: Trouble near the grid scale

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J.E. Barrow-Green, S.K. Donaldson, A. Laptev, G.B. Segal, B J. Totaro, R.A. Wilson. The RECORDS OF PROCEEDINGS following were elected to the Nominating Committee: M.A. Singer, A.M. Stuart. AT MEETINGS Professor , winner of the Naylor Prize for 2009, gave the Naylor Lecture on Modelling Aspects of Solid Tumour Growth. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING After the meeting, a reception was held at De Morgan House, followed by the held on Friday 19 November 2010 at University College London. About 60 members Annual Dinner, which was held at the Russell Hotel and attended by 70 people. and visitors were present for all or part of the meeting. The meeting began at 3.15 pm, with the President, Professor A.J. MACINTYRE, FRS, in the Chair. Members who had not yet voted were invited to hand their ballot papers NOVEL NUMERICAL • Colin Cotter (Imperial College London) to the Scrutineers, Professor P.T. Saunders and Dr D.J. Collins. MODELLING FOR THE Geostrophically optimal finite elements Copies of the Trustees’ Report for 2009/10 were made available and the President • Joanna Szmelter (University of Loughborough) invited questions. ATMOSPHERE AND OCEAN Unstructured mesh modelling of atmospheric inertia-gravity waves The Treasurer, Professor W.B. STEWART, presented his report on the Society’s finances A Royal Meteorological Society meet- • Hilary Weller (University of Reading) during the 2009/10 financial year. ing on Next Generation Modelling Grids and numerical techniques for the Messrs Kingston Smith were re-appointed as auditors for 2010/11. Techniques for the Atmosphere and global atmosphere 14 people were elected to Ordinary Membership: M. Batchelor, N. Bez, A.D. Brooke- Ocean will take place on Wednesday The meeting will be followed by a panel 23 Taylor, I. Cheltsov, F. Diamond, J. Einbeck, B.J. Green, M.A. Hallnäs, C. Pin Arias, 19 January 2011 at the Clore Lecture discussion chaired by . For more R.M.G. Reis, J. Sieber, D.J. Smith, E. Varvaruca, J. Voss; seven were elected to Associate Theatre, Huxley Building, Imperial College information visit the website at www.rmets. Membership: L.A.K. Blackburn, J.M. Fraser, J.T. Hyde, A.K. Nixon, B.T-L Pham-Dang, London. The next generation of models for org/events/detail.php?ID=4500 or contact Dr H. Plotka, J. Stolte and eight were elected as Ordinary Members through reciprocal weather and climate prediction may look Hilary Weller ([email protected]). membership of an overseas mathematical society: K.S. Adegbie, M.H.A. Alrashed, very different from the current, well opti- V. Ambat, I.K. Dontwi, Z. Hu, G.B. Khosorovshahi, A. Madanshekaf, M.W. Schmitt. One mised generation. Future models may use VISIT OF DR P.A. ZEGELING member signed the book and was admitted to the Society. different grids which avoid the pole problem The President announced that the next meeting of the Society would be in and use unstructured or adaptive meshes. Dr Paul Zegeling (University of Utrecht, The Edinburgh on 6 December 2010, and that the Records of Proceedings of the meetings During this meeting we will hear a history of Netherlands) will be visiting the UK from 22 in Hyderabad and Nottingham would be brought to the Mary Cartwright Lecture in developments of numerical methods for the to 29 January 2011. His research interests Oxford on 25 February 2011. atmosphere, some new model developments are in the numerical solution of differential at the US National Center for Atmospheric equations and more generally the analysis The Programme Secretary and Chair of the Web Working Group, Dr S.A. HUGGETT, Research (NCAR), some new model develop- of various models in the physical sciences. Dr presented his report on the new website. ments in the UK and an overview of some of Zegeling will give the following seminars: The President, on Council’s behalf, presented certificates to the 2010 Society the challenges we face in designing models • Monday 24 January, University of Leeds, Prizewinners – De Morgan Medal: Professor Keith William (Bill) Morton; Fröhlich Prize: with static or dynamic mesh adaptation. The Travelling waves in a non-equilibrium Professor Jonathan Keating, FRS; Whitehead Prizes: Dr Harald Helfgott, Professor Jens speakers are: Richard’s equation Marklof, Dr Lasse Rempe and Dr Françoise Tisseur. The winner of the Senior Berwick • David Burridge (ex ECMWF) A history of • Wednesday 26 January, Heriot-Watt Prize, Professor Dusa McDuff, FRS, was unable to attend. the numerical methods used for atmospheric University, The fractional : Professor Helen Byrne gave a lecture on Modelling Matters in Medicine and Biology. prediction history, properties and numerical After tea, Professor Saunders announced the results of the ballot. The following • Bill Skamarock (NCAR) A nonhydrostatic approximations Officers and Members of the Council were elected. President: A.J. Macintyre; atmospheric model using centroidal Voronoi • Friday 28 January, University of Surrey, Vice-Presidents: K.A. Brown, J.P.C. Greenlees; Treasurer: W.B. Stewart; General Secretary: meshes Detecting patterns with efficient adaptive J.M.E. Hyland; Publications Secretary: J.D.S. Jones; Programme Secretary: S.A. Huggett; • Matthew Piggott (Imperial College London) moving grids Education Secretary: C.J. Budd; Members-at-Large of Council (for 2 year terms): 3D unstructured mesh ocean modelling For further information contact Jitse Niesen A.V. Borovik, D.E. Buck, W.S. Kendall, M. Marletta, C.M. Roney-Dougal, U.L. Tillmann. • John Thuburn (University of Exeter) ([email protected]). The visit is support- Six Members-at-Large who were elected for two years in 2009 have a year left to serve: Trouble near the grid scale ed by an LMS Scheme 2 grant.

Jan11-NL.indd 23 20/12/2010 15:45:34 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]

AGM AND SOCIETY properties of the surrounding tissue and the observation and mathematical theory was mass of tumour cells. Experiments have been improved but not perfect. There remained MEETING 2010 performed in which the cancerous cells are the open question for further mathematical Report surrounded by a hydrogel of known composi- work, namely to check whether there could tion, and the effects on the cells’ growth of be a nonlinear interaction between [a] and [b] The 2010 London Mathematical Society AGM varying the stiffness of the gel then measured. which would produce still better agreement. and Society Meeting, including the Naylor Lec- These experiments formed the starting This remains for the future. ture, took place on Friday 19 November 2010 of Helen Byrne’s mathematical modelling. She Professor Byrne was thanked warmly by the at University College London. chose to model the tumour first as an incom- President and received much applause for her Following LMS business, including the par- pressible fluid and then as a morphoelastic lecture. ticularly pleasant duty of presenting certifi- solid. She compared mathematical and obser- Following a break for tea and chatting, cates to the 2010 Prizewinners, the President, vational results for the two cases with a certain the AGM was re-convened for the President Professor Angus Macintyre, FRS, proceeded to degree of success. However the experimental to announce the results of the ballots for the the lecture programme, the first lecture being data were not accurate enough to be able to Council and the Nominating Committee. The by Professor Helen Byrne, University of Not- resolve qualitative differences between the President then introduced the Naylor Lecturer tingham, on the subject of Modelling Matters incompressible fluid and morphoelastic mod- for 2010, Professor Philip Maini, University of in Medicine and Biology. els. Future research can be expected to exam- Oxford, who would speak on the important Professor Byrne explained that she would ine more complex stress/strain laws for the topic of Modelling Aspects of Solid Tumour 24 discuss in mathematical terms each of two tumour mass and its surrounding material. Growth. topics in biomedicine. Professor Byrne’s second topic was of a Professor Maini started by drawing atten- The first of these topics concerned that ever- different nature and focussed on the rod tion to the fact that cell death and cell prolif- important phenomenon of cancer. Cells which photoreceptors in the retina, and how their eration are normally tightly regulated so that are cancerous grow by extracting nutrients, length and effectiveness varied in response normal tissues are in homeostasis, or a steady including oxygen, from their surroundings. to different stimuli. Such changes occur dur- state. In contrast the ‘rogue’ cancerous cells do However there is then the question of how ing the day with the change of lighting, and not respond to these regulatory signals and are their growth is affected by the mechanical are believed to have a profound impact on invasive and in a real sense compete with the their metabolism. Two hy- normal cells. He then went to an analogy from potheses [a, b] have been ecology, namely that of the competing popu- put forward to explain how lations of the red, or indigenous (in the UK), metabolism may regulate squirrel with the grey, or alien and imported, length changes in the pho- squirrel. They compete in the environment for toreceptor. The first mecha- food, nutrients and the habitat generally. In nism [a] suggested oxygen the South of England the grey squirrel is more as growth limiting, whereas successful, while the red squirrel is still resi- the second mechanism [b] dent in and the North of England. If involved instead the so- we wished to reverse this balance in the South called phosphocreatine of England, how would we attempt it? Would shuttle with creatine, crea- we, could we, change the environment? Is this tine phosphate and phos- a lesson for us to apply to cancer? phate taking part. In neither Philip Maini went on to discuss this con- case did the mathematical cept with reference to the Warburg effect, model agree well with ob- namely the observation that many tumour servation. However if both cells use anaerobic metabolism. Lactic acid, a

© Jonathan Tickner Jonathan © [a] and [b] were involved by-product of this, changes the environment Angus Macintyre (centre) with (left to right) Prizewinners Jon Keating, jointly by linear superposi- and indeed favours the growth and propa- Jens Marklof, Lasse Rempe, Bill Morton, Françoise Tisseur, Harald Helfgott tion, agreement between gation of tumours. A mathematical model

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properties of the surrounding tissue and the observation and mathematical theory was has been devised in terms of a pair of partial mass of tumour cells. Experiments have been improved but not perfect. There remained differential equations (PDEs) for the number, performed in which the cancerous cells are the open question for further mathematical N, of normal cells and the number, T, of surrounded by a hydrogel of known composi- work, namely to check whether there could tumorous cells, but involving also a parametric tion, and the effects on the cells’ growth of be a nonlinear interaction between [a] and [b] quantity, L, to represent the amount of lactic varying the stiffness of the gel then measured. which would produce still better agreement. acid. This model predicts waves of tumour These experiments formed the starting point This remains for the future. invasion, which have unusual properties that of Helen Byrne’s mathematical modelling. She Professor Byrne was thanked warmly by the have been shown to be consistent with experi- chose to model the tumour first as an incom- President and received much applause for her ments. (Slow and fast waves have been shown pressible fluid and then as a morphoelastic lecture. to exist mathematically but the reason why solid. She compared mathematical and obser- Following a break for tea and chatting, numerical simulations show only slow waves vational results for the two cases with a certain the AGM was re-convened for the President is an open question). The speaker has used degree of success. However the experimental to announce the results of the ballots for the this model (developed by colleagues) to start data were not accurate enough to be able to Council and the Nominating Committee. The a research programme which addresses thera- resolve qualitative differences between the President then introduced the Naylor Lecturer peutic aspects. For example, buffering acid incompressible fluid and morphoelastic mod- for 2010, Professor Philip Maini, University of using sodium bicarbonate or dichloroacetate els. Future research can be expected to exam- Oxford, who would speak on the important may slow down invasion, as might aspirin ine more complex stress/strain laws for the topic of Modelling Aspects of Solid Tumour and ibuprofen, so taking us into the realm of tumour mass and its surrounding material. Growth. familiar prescriptive treatments. It is natural to 25 Professor Byrne’s second topic was of a Professor Maini started by drawing atten- enquire how the onset of cancer may be de- different nature and focussed on the rod tion to the fact that cell death and cell prolif- layed, perhaps by exercise; there is a problem photoreceptors in the retina, and how their eration are normally tightly regulated so that here in that, while lactic acid is produced dur- length and effectiveness varied in response normal tissues are in homeostasis, or a steady ing exercise, it is likely that exercise can delay to different stimuli. Such changes occur dur- state. In contrast the ‘rogue’ cancerous cells do the onset of cancer. It was shown that this was ing the day with the change of lighting, and not respond to these regulatory signals and are consistent with the model which predicted are believed to have a profound impact on invasive and in a real sense compete with the the selection of a less invasive cell phenotype their metabolism. Two hy- normal cells. He then went to an analogy from under these circumstances. potheses [a, b] have been ecology, namely that of the competing popu- The speaker presented a suite of modelling put forward to explain how lations of the red, or indigenous (in the UK), approaches, ranging from ordinary differen- metabolism may regulate squirrel with the grey, or alien and imported, tial equations to PDEs, as implied above in length changes in the pho- squirrel. They compete in the environment for the context of wave properties, and, with a toreceptor. The first mecha- food, nutrients and the habitat generally. In different flavour, cellular automata. Professor nism [a] suggested oxygen the South of England the grey squirrel is more Maini made it clear that there is a good deal as growth limiting, whereas successful, while the red squirrel is still resi- of scope for mathematical research of diverse the second mechanism [b] dent in Scotland and the North of England. If kinds into the medical problem of cancer. involved instead the so- we wished to reverse this balance in the South Professor Philip Maini was thanked most called phosphocreatine of England, how would we attempt it? Would warmly for his fine lecture, which was of shuttle with creatine, crea- we, could we, change the environment? Is this the high standard that we expect of Naylor tine phosphate and phos- a lesson for us to apply to cancer? Lecturers; this was followed by the appreciative phate taking part. In neither Philip Maini went on to discuss this con- applause of the audience. The Meeting closed case did the mathematical cept with reference to the Warburg effect, soon after 6 pm, and many members repaired model agree well with ob- namely the observation that many tumour to De Morgan House for the reception. servation. However if both cells use anaerobic metabolism. Lactic acid, a The writer is very grateful to both speakers [a] and [b] were involved by-product of this, changes the environment for their very valuable comments on his draft. jointly by linear superposi- and indeed favours the growth and propa- Trevor Stuart tion, agreement between gation of tumours. A mathematical model Imperial College London

Jan11-NL.indd 25 20/12/2010 15:45:37 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF WOMEN IN MATHEMATICS DAY 2011 WOMEN MATHEMATICIANS The next Women in Mathematics Day will be held on Friday 6 May 2011 at De Morgan Report House, 57–58 Russell Square, London. Sessions will include talks by women mathematicians in a variety of appointments and at different career stages. The first International Conference of Women Mathematicians (ICWM) was held in Hydera- The organisers would be very grateful if all members could encourage women bad, India from 17 to 19 August 2010, before mathematicians, particularly students (including final year undergraduates) and the International Congress of Mathematicians those at an early stage in their career, to attend this meeting. It is hoped that an (ICM). The ICWM took place on the beau- opportunity to see women who are active and successful in mathematics, and to tiful University of Hyderabad campus and meet them informally, will be beneficial. Feedback from previous meetings has was hosted with wonderful grace and kind- shown that participants find this useful. While this is an occasion particularly for ness by the local organisers. Around 200 women active in mathematics to get together, men are certainly not excluded. mathematicians attended, mostly – but not Any postgraduates, postdocs or research assistants interested in giving a talk during exclusively – women. The majority of the the afternoon session or presenting a poster should contact Peter Clarkson delegates were Indian but there was rep- ([email protected]). resentation from around the world. The meeting consisted of eight presentations 26 To encourage high-quality posters, a £50 book token will be awarded for the poster by exceptional mathematicians, all women, that is judged to be the Women in Mathematics Day Best Poster 2011. of whom some were also plenary or invited speakers for the ICM. The speakers came Programme (tbc) from India, France, US, China, UK and Den- 10.30–11.00 Registration and coffee mark, and the talks covered various math- ematical topics, including topology, algebra 11.00–13.00 Morning Session (times tbc) and numerical analysis. Claire Gilson (Glasgow) The first afternoon was dedicated to a Box and ball systems in integrable systems panel discussion on Women mathematicians Joan Lasenby (Cambridge) around the world. The discussion was or- The Mathematics of making movies ganised by Professor Caroline Series, and I chaired the discussion in the absence of Rowena Paget (Kent) Professor Series. The session began with Set partitions and symmetric groups eight short presentations illustrating some 13.00–14.00 Lunch and poster session of the issues affecting women mathemati- 14.15–16.00 Afternoon Session cians around the world, including Africa, Postgraduate/Postdoc speakers South America, North America, Japan, Ko- Discussion groups rea, India, Pakistan and Europe. The presentations generally contained 16.00–16.30 Tea statistical data on the percentage of wom- Limited funds are available to help with the travel costs of students attending en mathematicians at different stages in the event. Further details are available from Elizabeth Fisher at the Society academia and research, within the differ- (contact details below). ent social and political context in the vari- ous regions. The panelists also described To register contact Elizabeth Fisher ([email protected]). the organisations that focus on supporting The day is free for students and £5 for all others – payable on the day. women mathematicians in their particular region, which motivated most of the lively discussion. Many more views were expressed

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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF WOMEN MATHEMATICIANS Report in writing on a questionnaire distributed at the meeting. The first International Conference of Women The issue raised most often was the need Mathematicians (ICWM) was held in Hydera- to establish national, or possibly regional, bad, India from 17 to 19 August 2010, before organisations that can coordinate the flow the International Congress of Mathematicians of information and make sure it reaches (ICM). The ICWM took place on the beau- all potentially interested women, and of- tiful University of Hyderabad campus and fer support and leadership to women was hosted with wonderful grace and kind- mathematicians worldwide. Delegates also ness by the local organisers. Around 200 asked for advice on how to obtain finan- mathematicians attended, mostly – but not cial assistance for individuals or meetings, exclusively – women. The majority of the or for establishing peer support groups. delegates were Indian but there was rep- This developed into a widespread request resentation from around the world. The that information on all types of support for meeting consisted of eight presentations women mathematicians should be made by exceptional mathematicians, all women, available on the web. In partial response to 27 of whom some were also plenary or invited this request, a report on the discussion and speakers for the ICM. The speakers came the electronic versions of all the presenta- from India, France, US, China, UK and Den- tions are available on the European Wom- mark, and the talks covered various math- en in Mathematics (EWM) website at http:// ematical topics, including topology, algebra tinyurl.com/2vyynut. This website also hosts and numerical analysis. a blog that could become a useful tool for The first afternoon was dedicated to a further discussion of how to create a central panel discussion on Women mathematicians information and support platform for wom- around the world. The discussion was or- en mathematicians: http://womenandmath. ganised by Professor Caroline Series, and wordpress.com. It would be particularly I chaired the discussion in the absence of useful if the existing organisations dealing Professor Series. The session began with with women in mathematics issues could eight short presentations illustrating some use this blog to open and maintain a dis- of the issues affecting women mathemati- cussion on how best to disseminate infor- cians around the world, including Africa, mation, and on how to help the existing South America, North America, Japan, Ko- efforts to establish similar organisations rea, India, Pakistan and Europe. elsewhere. The presentations generally contained The next ICM will be held in Seoul, South statistical data on the percentage of wom- Korea, in 2014. While no final decision has en mathematicians at different stages in been made on whether a second ICWM will academia and research, within the differ- take place at the same time, KWMS has al- ent social and political context in the vari- ready announced that it will use a dona- ous regions. The panelists also described tion of $90,000 to support women from the organisations that focus on supporting developing countries to attend the ICM in women mathematicians in their particular 2014. region, which motivated most of the lively Dr Beatrice Pelloni discussion. Many more views were expressed University of Reading

Jan11-NL.indd 27 20/12/2010 15:45:37 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]

GEOMETRY & ALGEBRA REVIEWS Recently there has been a re- surgence of interest in the links SPITALFIELDS DAY Mathematics and Music, Mathematical World between these two disciplines. A by David Wright, Volume 28, American Math- journal has been founded, and in- Report ematical Society, 2009, 161 pp, £26.50 (paper- creasing numbers of conferences A Spitalfields Day was held at the Royal back), ISBN 978-0-8218-4873-9. feature these cognate arts. Among Society of Edinburgh (RSE) on 17 September The connections between mathematics the books on the subject are tech- 2010, supported by the International Centre and music can be traced back 2500 years nical tomes on the mathematical for Mathematical Sciences (ICMS), the London to the Pythagoreans, who linked musical aspects of music theory [1, 2], collec- Mathematical Society, (LMS), the Edinburgh intervals with ratios of whole numbers. tions of accessible articles [3, 4], and Mathematical Society and the RSE. The event Later, the European universities of the mathematical accounts of particular celebrated the election in May 2010 of Profes- Middle Ages and the Renaissance taught musical topics, such as temperament sor , Emeritus Professor of music as one of the four ‘mathematical and twelve-tone scales. Mathematics, Max Planck Institute for Mathe- arts’ of Ancient Greece (the quadrivium), On the educational side, several matics, Bonn, as an Honorary of the RSE. while mathematicians such as Kepler, UK universities offer joint honours A morning lecture was delivered by past Mersenne, Newton and Euler investigat- degrees in mathematics and music, while President of the RSE, Sir , OM, ed various connections between the two the subject has taken on a new lease of life FRS, on The Hodge signature theorem: past, subjects. On the musical side many com- in the USA as enrichment material in high 28 present and future. posers, from Josquin, Bach and Haydn to schools or as an attractive course for lib- The Induction Ceremony for Professor Hirze- Schönberg, Bartok and Xenakis, have em- eral arts students needing to fulfil a ‘math bruch was conducted by Professor Tariq Durrani ployed a range of mathematical devices in requirement’. To meet this need, several OBE, Vice-President of the RSE and the citation their compositions. textbooks have been published, ranging read by Sir Michael before from those that assume prior knowledge Professor Hirzebruch was of such topics as Fourier series (such as [5]) formally welcomed to the to those at a more basic level ([6] and [7]). Society by Professor Dur- One of the best introductory books is the rani. Following this, Profes- one under review, which was designed for sor Hirzebruch delivered his a one-semester course on mathematics and lecture on 125 years of the music at Washington University in St Louis Schubert calculus. and covers the usual subjects of intervals © The Royal Society of Edinburgh of Society Royal The © The day concluded with a and scales, tuning and temperament, timbre lecture by Professor Andrew and Fourier series, modular arithmetic in Ranicki, FRSE, who had also music, and much else besides. All the neces- organised the event. Profes- sary mathematical and musical theory and sor Ranicki appropriately notations are introduced as they are need- spoke on Aspects of quad- ed, and the book is clearly illustrated, easy ratic forms in the work of to read and learn from, and certainly to be Hirzebruch and Atiyah. recommended. Jenny Liddell Indeed, my only quibble is that, having Communications Officer taught such courses in an American liberal The Royal Society arts college where many first-year students of Edinburgh (Left to right) Tariq Durrani, Friedrich Hirzebruch and Sir Michael Atiyah still have difficulties with basic arithmetic and algebra, I considered his prerequisites This article and the photograph are reproduced by permission of the Royal Society of Edinburgh from (set theory, functions and relations, etc.) ReSourcE, the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s newsletter, Issue 29 (Autumn 2010), p.18. Slides of Professor somewhat unrealistic. But apart from this, Ranicki’s lecture can be found at www.maths.ed.ac.uk/~aar/confer. the author’s treatment of the subject is

Jan11-NL.indd 28 20/12/2010 15:45:38 www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected] No. 399 January 2011

REVIEWS Recently there has been a re- surgence of interest in the links Mathematics and Music, Mathematical World between these two disciplines. A by David Wright, Volume 28, American Math- journal has been founded, and in- ematical Society, 2009, 161 pp, £26.50 (paper- creasing numbers of conferences back), ISBN 978-0-8218-4873-9. feature these cognate arts. Among The connections between mathematics the books on the subject are tech- and music can be traced back 2500 years nical tomes on the mathematical to the Pythagoreans, who linked musical aspects of music theory [1, 2], collec- intervals with ratios of whole numbers. tions of accessible articles [3, 4], and Later, the European universities of the mathematical accounts of particular Middle Ages and the Renaissance taught musical topics, such as temperament music as one of the four ‘mathematical and twelve-tone scales. arts’ of Ancient Greece (the quadrivium), On the educational side, several while mathematicians such as Kepler, UK universities offer joint honours Mersenne, Newton and Euler investigat- degrees in mathematics and music, while down to earth and realistic, and I certainly ed various connections between the two the subject has taken on a new lease of life plan to use the book in future courses that subjects. On the musical side many com- in the USA as enrichment material in high I teach on the subject. posers, from Josquin, Bach and Haydn to schools or as an attractive course for lib- Robin Wilson 29 Schönberg, Bartok and Xenakis, have em- eral arts students needing to fulfil a ‘math Open University ployed a range of mathematical devices in requirement’. To meet this need, several References their compositions. textbooks have been published, ranging 1. D. Lewin, Generalized Musical Intervals and from those that assume prior knowledge Transformations, Yale University Press, 1987. of such topics as Fourier series (such as [5]) 2. G. Mazzola, The Topos of Music: Geometric Logic to those at a more basic level ([6] and [7]). of Concepts, Theory and Performances, Birkhäuser, One of the best introductory books is the 2002. one under review, which was designed for 3. G. Assayag, H. G. Feichtinger and J. F. Rodrigues a one-semester course on mathematics and (eds.), Mathematics and Music: A Diderot Mathe- music at Washington University in St Louis matical Forum, Springer, 2002. and covers the usual subjects of intervals 4. J. Fauvel, R. Flood and R. Wilson (eds.), Math- ematics and Music: From Pythagoras to Fractals and scales, tuning and temperament, timbre (paperback), Oxford, 2006. and Fourier series, modular arithmetic in 5. D. J. Benson, Music: A Musical Offering, Cambridge, music, and much else besides. All the neces- 2006. sary mathematical and musical theory and 6. T. H. Garland and C. V. Kahn, Math and Music: notations are introduced as they are need- Harmonious Connections, Dale Seymour, 1995. ed, and the book is clearly illustrated, easy 7. L. Harkleroad, The Math behind the Music, to read and learn from, and certainly to be Cambridge / MAA, 2006. recommended. Indeed, my only quibble is that, having A Mathematical Tapestry, Demonstrating taught such courses in an American liberal the Beautiful Unity of Mathematics by Peter arts college where many first-year students Hilton and Jean Pedersen, illustrations by (Left to right) Tariq Durrani, Friedrich Hirzebruch and Sir Michael Atiyah still have difficulties with basic arithmetic Sylvie Donmoyer, Cambridge University Press, and algebra, I considered his prerequisites 2010, 306 pp, £19.99 pbk, ISBN 978-0-52- This article and the photograph are reproduced by permission of the Royal Society of Edinburgh from (set theory, functions and relations, etc.) 112821-6, £60 hbk, ISBN 978-0-52-176410-0. ReSourcE, the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s newsletter, Issue 29 (Autumn 2010), p.18. Slides of Professor somewhat unrealistic. But apart from this, This book is dedicated to the late Martin Ranicki’s lecture can be found at www.maths.ed.ac.uk/~aar/confer. the author’s treatment of the subject is Gardner, and the first chapter could have

Jan11-NL.indd 29 20/12/2010 15:45:39 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter [email protected]

been written by him as an extension to The polygons give rise to polyhedra, of CALENDAR OF EVENTS one of his famous subjects, hexaflexagons. course, but for the recreational mathemati- Although it is, in part, marketed as a rec- cian there is a wealth of options to explore, This calendar lists Society meetings and other reational mathematics book, it is far more since they are created from strips. As well mathematical events. Further information and can be read at many levels. The word as the Platonics, there are star polyhedra may be obtained from the appropriate tapestry in the title arises because it weaves and rotating rings, giving rise to a topology LMS Newsletter whose number is given in a number of threads which the authors thread and going beyond Euler’s formula to brackets. A fuller list of meetings and events specify as: paper folding, number theory, the concept of a genus and Euler’s character- is given on the Society’s website (www.lms. polyhedra, geometry, algebra, combinator- istic. The simple concepts soon develop into ac.uk/newsletter/calendar.html). ics, , group theory, history, so the the weightier number theory, but then the Please send updates and corrections to “beautiful unity of mathematics” in the next chapter goes back to another simpler [email protected]. title is very appropriate. There are also many one; the practical is interspersed with the other loose threads like topology, although theory which makes it easy to assimilate. So JANUARY 2011 this one is not easy to follow through the , combinatorics and group theo- 5-8 ASE Annual Conference, Reading (399) index which is generally good. ry threads provide light relief. Polyhedra are 5-14 School on Moduli Spaces, INI, Cambridge The foundation of the book is folding strips also constructed by weaving the strips and (395) of paper. This might seem trivial mathematics, there are polyhedra which collapse. All of 6 Kavli Education Medal Award and Lecture, but it develops into some intriguing number this is hard to review because you need to Reading (399) 30 theorems as well as many interesting paper see the excellent illustrations and follow the 10-13 UK–Japan Winter School, King’s models. For example, what they call the quasi- threads to appreciate what a well-organised College London (396) order theorem enables you to determine for book this is. 10-14 Embeddings, INI, Cambridge (395) any given odd number b ≥ 3, using an algo- The book would be an invaluable tool for 10-14 Torsors: Theory and Application ICMS rithm that involves only subtraction and divi- teaching, especially as it covers so many areas Workshop, Edinburgh (398) sion by the number 2, the smallest power k of mathematics and interweaves them. The 17 Geometry and Physics: Past, Present and to which 2 must be raised in order that either development of ideas like approximation Future, Cardiff University (398) 2k – 1 or 2k + 1 is exactly divisible by b. The and convergence, as well as the threads 19 Next Generation Modelling Techniques folding is mostly quite approachable by a mentioned above, are dealt with in a con- for the Atmosphere and Ocean RMS teenager but, towards the end, the number crete way and is a very good way to learn. Meeting, Imperial College London (399) theory can get quite heavy; however earlier Too much teaching does not involve the 19-21 British Postgraduate Model Theory on when it is directly related to the folding hand and eye as well as abstract thought. Conference, Leeds (398) it is very easy to understand. What I particu- The treatment of group theory is excellent larly liked was that, as a kind of aside, there in this respect. It also shows how basic math- FEBRUARY 2011 are many parlour tricks with numbers that ematics can progress to advanced number emphasise the understanding. theory. 14-16 Workshop on Mathematics Journals, The strongest thread follows Jean Peder- As I finished this review, the news came MSRI, Berkeley, USA (399) sen’s discovery that by folding strips of paper in that Peter Hilton had passed away at the 25 LMS Mary Cartwright Lecture, Oxford some regular polygons could be constructed age of 87. This book is a fitting memorial to (399) to any desired degree of accuracy. Working his work as a mathematician. One can see, with Peter Hilton, she developed this idea from the way the book produces so much MARCH 2011 into a systematic algorithm for producing mathematics from a simple start, why his 14-18 Representations of Surface Groups any regular b-gon for b ≥ 3. This includes work at Bletchley Park in the war was so suc- and Higgs Bundles Workshop, Oxford (398) the polygons that cannot be constructed cessful. He was a member of the LMS, and 16 One-Day Meeting in Combinatorics, by straightedge and compass methods. an obituary of him will appear in a future Oxford Gauss’s work linking ones that could to cer- Newsletter. 21-25 Compressed Sensing LMS Invited tain Fermat numbers appears in the number John Sharp Lectures 2011, Cambridge (399) theory thread, as do Mersenne numbers. London Knowledge Lab

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The polygons give rise to polyhedra, of CALENDAR OF EVENTS 24 IMA Mathematics 2011 Conference, course, but for the recreational mathemati- London cian there is a wealth of options to explore, This calendar lists Society meetings and other 28 - 1 Apr Discrete Harmonic Analysis since they are created from strips. As well mathematical events. Further information Workshop, INI, Cambridge (398) as the Platonics, there are star polyhedra may be obtained from the appropriate 29 The Symmetric Group: Representations and rotating rings, giving rise to a topology LMS Newsletter whose number is given in and Combinatorics, Royal Holloway, thread and going beyond Euler’s formula to brackets. A fuller list of meetings and events University of London the concept of a genus and Euler’s character- is given on the Society’s website (www.lms. ac.uk/newsletter/calendar.html). istic. The simple concepts soon develop into APRIL 2011 the weightier number theory, but then the Please send updates and corrections to next chapter goes back to another simpler [email protected]. 3-8 Topics in Probability, LMS–EPSRC Short one; the practical is interspersed with the Course, Oxford (399) theory which makes it easy to assimilate. So JANUARY 2011 4-5 Nonlinear Waves and Solitons in symmetries, combinatorics and group theo- 5-8 ASE Annual Conference, Reading (399) Lattices Workshop, ICMS, Edinburgh (399) ry threads provide light relief. Polyhedra are 5-14 School on Moduli Spaces, INI, Cambridge 4-8 Computational Challenges in Partial also constructed by weaving the strips and (395) Differential Equations Meeting, Swansea there are polyhedra which collapse. All of 6 Kavli Education Medal Award and Lecture, (392) this is hard to review because you need to Reading (399) 11-13 BAMC 2011, Birmingham (398) 11-15 Derived Categories Workshop, INI, see the excellent illustrations and follow the 10-13 UK–Japan Winter School, King’s 31 threads to appreciate what a well-organised College London (396) Cambridge (399) book this is. 10-14 Embeddings, INI, Cambridge (395) 11-16 Groups, Combinatorics, Computing The book would be an invaluable tool for 10-14 Torsors: Theory and Application ICMS De Brún Workshop, Galway (398) teaching, especially as it covers so many areas Workshop, Edinburgh (398) 14-16 Young Researchers in Mathematics of mathematics and interweaves them. The 17 Geometry and Physics: Past, Present and 2011 Conference, Warwick (398) development of ideas like approximation Future, Cardiff University (398) 18-21 BMC 2011, Leicester (398) and convergence, as well as the threads 19 Next Generation Modelling Techniques 25-29 The and Stable mentioned above, are dealt with in a con- for the Atmosphere and Ocean RMS Homotopy Theory ICMS Workshop, crete way and is a very good way to learn. Meeting, Imperial College London (399) Edinburgh (398) Too much teaching does not involve the 19-21 British Postgraduate Model Theory hand and eye as well as abstract thought. Conference, Leeds (398) MAY 2011 The treatment of group theory is excellent 6 Women in Mathematics Day, London (399) in this respect. It also shows how basic math- FEBRUARY 2011 ematics can progress to advanced number 17 LMS–Gresham Lecture, London (398) theory. 14-16 Workshop on Mathematics Journals, 22-27 Progress on Difference Equations 2011, As I finished this review, the news came MSRI, Berkeley, USA (399) Dublin (398) in that Peter Hilton had passed away at the 25 LMS Mary Cartwright Lecture, Oxford 31 - 3 Jun CHAOS 2011, Crete, Greece (398) age of 87. This book is a fitting memorial to (399) his work as a mathematician. One can see, JUNE 2011 from the way the book produces so much MARCH 2011 6-8 Nonlinear Diffusion: Algorithms, Analysis mathematics from a simple start, why his 14-18 Representations of Surface Groups and Applications Workshop, Warwick (395) work at Bletchley Park in the war was so suc- and Higgs Bundles Workshop, Oxford (398) 6-10 Oscillatory Integrals in Harmonic cessful. He was a member of the LMS, and 16 One-Day Meeting in Combinatorics, Analysis ICMS Workshop, Edinburgh (398) an obituary of him will appear in a future Oxford 7-10 14th Applied Models and Newsletter. 21-25 Compressed Sensing LMS Invited Data Analysis International Conference, John Sharp Lectures 2011, Cambridge (399) Rome, Italy London Knowledge Lab

Jan11-NL.indd 31 20/12/2010 15:45:39 C. SMITH LMS member 1875–1914 W.E. Debenham, 158 Regent Street, London W.E.

Charles Smith, MA Master, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge Governor, Eton College

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