LONDONLONDON MATHEMATICALMATHEMATICAL SOCIETYSOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 428 September 2013

Society HONORARY MEMBERSHIP 2013 MeetingsSociety Meetings The LMS has elected Professor of research in the UK the report and Events Margaret Wright, Silver Pro- has been invaluable to the UK and Events fessor of Computer Science at mathematical sciences communi- 2013 the Courant Institute of Math- ty.Professor Sullivan is one of the ematical Sciences at New York world’s most outstanding math- Sunday 22 September University, USA and Professor ematicians, and has made fun- De Morgan House, Dennis Sullivan, Einstein Chair at damental contributions in many Open Day, London the City University of New York different areas of the subject. page 15 Graduate Centre and professor His first and most striking work Thursday 26 September at Stony Brook University, USA was in topology, both algebraic LMS Popular Lectures, to Honorary Membership of the and geometrical, proving (simul- Birmingham Society. taneously with Quillen) the Ad- 1 page 14 ams conjecture about the ho- Thursday 31 October motopy groups Good Practice Scheme of spheres, Workshop, London transforming page 25 surgery theory Friday 15 November and elucidating LMS AGM, London the structure of page 19 manifolds, and Monday 16 December inventing an SW & South Wales effective new Regional Meeting, way of treat- ing rational ho- Swansea Professor Margaret Wright Professor Dennis Sullivan page 18 motopy theory. Professor Wright has had a Subsequently he changed direc- 2014 distinguished career. As well as tion and worked on dynamical making outstanding contribu- systems, especially the Feigen- Friday 28 February tions to mathematics in her own baum universality properties and Mary Cartwright research fields of optimization, complex dynamics. Later still he Lecture, York numerical linear algebra and sci- turned to the mathematics of Monday 31 March entific computing, she has served quantum field theory, invent- Northern Regional the academic community in many ing the new subject of string Meeting, Durham high-profile roles. In particular, topology, and he also embarked she was Chair of the Internation- on a study of the Navier-Stokes al Review of Mathematical Sci- equation. NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER ences in the UK commissioned by Full citations for Professor ONLINE:ONLINE: the EPSRC. In its careful assess- Wright and Professor Sullivan newsletter.lms.ac.uknewsletter.lms.ac.uk ment of the strengths and needs will appear in the LMS Bulletin. LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

MATHEMATICS Council (EPSRC) obtains and uses strategic HIGHER EDUCATION and higher education institutions. advice in its decision-making is published Investment in removing barriers to post- However, ACME has been considering an POLICY ROUND-UP in a recent report. graduate study alternative qualification to better meet the August 2013 The review was commissioned by EPSRC Students from disadvantaged backgrounds needs of those who reach 16 without GCSE Chair, Dr Paul Golby, following discussions will be supported in postgraduate study Mathematics Grade C or equivalent, and RESEARCH with members of the academic commu- with up to £125 million of extra funding, believes that there is a demand in the math- EPSRC Strategic Advisory Process nity and learned societies, some of whom The Department for Business, Innovation ematics community for such a qualification. An independent review of how the Engi- had publicly voiced criticisms of the or- and Skills (BIS) and the Higher Education The discussion paper is available at http://ti neering and Physical Sciences Research ganisation’s methods of consultation and Funding Council for England (HEFCE) are nyurl.com/m9uz96a. engagement. It was carried out by a distin- focusing on increasing access to postgradu- guished panel chaired by Dr Suzanne For- ate education, which has been identified as Post-16 core mathematics: ACME to con- LMS Newsletter tier, Past President of the Natural Sciences a potential barrier to social mobility. vene expert panel http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), An initial £25 million fund will distribute The Government intends to introduce Editorial office: London Mathematical Society, Canada. grants of between £500,000 and £3 million core mathematics qualifications to meet De Morgan House, 57–58 Russell Square, London In the report the panel recognised that to universities and colleges to attract and the needs of students who have achieved WC1B 4HS (t: 020 7637 3686; f: 020 7323 3655) the EPSRC has built an extensive and agile support disadvantaged students into post- a grade C or higher at GCSE, but do not Articles: send articles to [email protected] series of mechanisms to seek high quality graduate education. More information is progress to AS or A level mathematics. At Events calendar: updates and corrections to strategic advice. However, they also be- available at http://tinyurl.com/pzr82yv. DfE's request, ACME is convening an expert [email protected] lieve that the current structure could be panel on post-16 core mathematics quali- Advertising: for rates and guidelines see improved to become more transparent and Higher education national statistics fications. More information is available at www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter/ratecard.html inclusive. The report is available at http:// released http://tinyurl.com/mbe9z5p. 2 General Editor: Mr A.J.S. Mann tinyurl.com/kqvke8h. The Department for Business Innovation 3 ([email protected]) and Skills has released national statistics Ofqual: Open letter to schools on changes Reports Editor: Professor R.A. Wilson Royal Society – EPSRC announce Fellow- on higher education. The statistics are to qualifications ([email protected]) ships partnership available at www.gov.uk/government/ Ofqual has published an open letter to Reviews Editor: Professor D. Singerman A new collaboration has been announced publications/national-statistics-releases. schools in England on changes being made ([email protected]) between the Royal Society and the Engi- to GCSEs and A-levels. S.M. Oakes Administrative Editor: neering and Physical Sciences Research SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES The letter summarises a number of im- ([email protected]) Council (EPSRC) that will support early ca- ‘Post-16 Mathematics: Engaging the new portant changes that have been made to Typeset by the LMS at De Morgan House; printed reer Royal Society research fellows who are cohort’ the qualifications in England, or which by Holbrooks Printers Ltd. working within EPSRC’s priority areas. This discussion paper adds to ACME's pre- have been announced for the future. The Publication dates and deadlines: published monthly, except August. Items and advertise- Researchers recently awarded Royal Soci- vious work on Post-16 Mathematics. ACME letter covers Ofqual’s on-going work to ments by the first day of the month prior to ety University Research Fellowships (URFs) proposes the development of a new quali- strengthen and improve these qualifica- publication, or the closest preceding working day. and Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships by the fication for students who do not achieve a tions and includes information about long- Notices and advertisements are not accepted for Royal Society will receive further research Grade C in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent. er term reforms. events that occur in the first week of the publica- funding from the EPSRC. The first seven ACME supports the aspiration that eve- Among the changes mentioned in the tion month. fellowship awards range between £90k - ryone should be actively engaging in letter are new science GCSEs, resit oppor- News items and notices in the Newsletter may be £320k and are spread across six of the UK’s mathematics until they are functioning tunities, the move to end of course exams freely used elsewhere unless otherwise stated, leading universities. More information is at the equivalent of at least Level 2 in and timescales for longer term reform. although attribution is requested when reproduc- available at http://tinyurl.com/n6avam2. mathematics. The letter is available at http://tinyurl.com/ ing whole articles. Contributions to the Newslet- From 2015 all 16 year olds will be re- lr4nqte. ter are made under a non-exclusive licence; please Inquiry into research and development quired to work towards a Level 2 Math- contact the author or photographer for the rights funding ematics qualification. Those who reach 16 GCSE multiple entry to reproduce. The LMS cannot accept responsibil- The National Audit Office has issued a call without achieving this will therefore make The Education Select Committee’s report ity for the accuracy of information in the Newslet- for written evidence to the inquiry into up a new and large post-16 cohort which is on the administration of examinations for ter. Views expressed do not necessarily represent Research and Development funding for likely to increase in the short term. 15-19 year olds in England1 recommended the views or policy of the London Mathematical science and technology in the UK. More GCSE Mathematics provides a measure of that the Government should “ask Ofqual to Society. details are available at http://tinyurl.com/ threshold mathematical functioning. It also gather data from the exam boards to ena- Charity registration number: 252660. m35taya. is a gatekeeper qualification for employers ble it to identify the extent of multiple en- LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

try and then offer advice on whether, and Open access consultation launched Society and from the ERS. Members should in, influence on, or service to mathematics, what, action is needed to limit the prac- Views are invited on the open access pro- check their post/e-mail regularly in October particularly in relation to advancing the ca- tice”. The memorandum on multiple entry posals for the post-2014 Research Excel- for communications regarding the elections. reers of women in mathematics. is available at http://tinyurl.com/m6huhko. lence Framework (REF). The Society will host an Elections Blog on The Anne Bennett Prize will be awarded The four UK higher education funding the LMS website for use by candidates and for work in and influence on mathematics, OTHER bodies aim to further increase the pro- members. and particularly for acting as an inspira- Spending Review – 26 June 2013 portion of research outputs published in It is hoped as many members as possible tion for women mathematicians. It will be The Chancellor announced that the science open-access form by introducing this as a re- will vote in the 2013 LMS Elections. Results awarded two out of every three years, and R&D budget is to be kept at its current level quirement in the next REF. This is in line with will be announced at the Society’s AGM on will be open to mathematicians with fewer through to the next election. This figure, the funding bodies’ policy that the outputs 15 November 2013. than 10 years (full time equivalent) of in- which amounts to about £4.6bn per year, from all research supported by our funding volvement in mathematics at post-doctoral has been held flat since 2011. There will should be as widely and freely accessible Ensure that your details are current level, allowing for breaks in continuity. be an increase in the capital budget from as the available channels for dissemina- All members are strongly encouraged to In addition to the prize award, the win- the current £0.6bn to £1.1bn. More infor- tion permit. Responses to this consultation ensure that their e-mail and postal contact ners of the prize will be invited to give a mation is available at http://tinyurl.com/ should be made online by 17.00 on 30 Octo- details registered with the Society are up- lecture at the LMS Women in Mathematics nvyo6ud. ber 2013. More information is available at to-date to enable the ERS process to run Day in the year following the award. http://tinyurl.com/kf8l85r. smoothly. Any changes would be required The Society has instituted these prizes in Women in STEM careers consultation no later than 21 September 2013 for elec- memory of Anne Bennett, who died sud- The House of Commons Science and Tech- Dr John Johnston tion purposes. denly whilst working for the Society in nology Select Committee has agreed to Joint Promotion of Mathematics 2012. An obituary was published in the Oc- hold an inquiry into women in academic Fiona Nixon tober 2012 Newsletter. Anne took a strong 4 STEM careers and is asking for written sub- LMS ELECTIONS 2013 Executive Secretary interest in women in science, and the prizes 5 missions on the following: will recognise both excellent mathematical • Why do numbers of women in STEM Members will recall that in 2012 the LMS in- ANNE BENNETT PRIZES research and contributions to the advance- academic careers decline further up the troduced an e-voting option for elections to ment of women in mathematics. career ladder? Council and Nominating Committee which At its May meeting the LMS Council ap- It is hoped that a strong field of nomi- • When women leave academia, what saw a 120% rise in the number of members proved the establishment of a new prize. nees, both male and female, will be put careers do they transition into? What voting compared to the previous year. As The Anne Bennett and Senior Anne Ben- forward to the Prizes Committee from are the consequences of scientifically last year, LMS members will be able to cast nett Prizes will be added to the list of LMS members when the call for nominations is trained women applying their skills in ballots electronically through the Electoral prizes, beginning with the 2014 round of made later in 2013. The senior prize will be different employment sectors? Reform Services (ERS) website and, although awards. awarded for the first time in 2014, with the • What should universities and the higher paper votes will still be available this year, The Senior Anne Bennett Prize will be Anne Bennett Prize being awarded in 2015 education sector do to retain women it is hoped that members will make use of awarded triennially in recognition of work and 2016. graduates and PhD students in academic the e-voting option. In 2012 more than two- careers? Are there examples of good thirds of all votes cast were e-votes, and it practice? is hoped that this will increase at the 2013 • What role should the Government have elections. in encouraging the retention of women Members who are eligible to vote will be in academic STEM careers? contacted directly by the ERS who will send The closing date for submissions is Tues- out ballot papers and candidate profiles in day 3 September 2013. More information is both paper and electronic formats. Prior available at http://tinyurl.com/pm2lp8y. to this, a communication will be sent by the Society to all members who are registered Education and skills survey published for electronic communication informing The CBI has published its annual education them that they can expect to shortly receive and skills survey – Changing the Pace. Sec- some election correspondence from the ERS. tion 3 looks at meeting the demand for Those not registered to receive email corre- STEM skills. The full report is available at spondence form the LMS will receive all com- http://tinyurl.com/ldojqan. munications in paper format, both from the LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

ANNUAL LMS who will send further details to subscribers. 3. Council has agreed the Society will continue to SUBSCRIPTION 2013-14 offer the “Print & online” option for the Bul- Members are reminded that their annual sub- letin, Journal and Proceedings of the London scription, including payment for publications, for Mathematical Society to members from 1 the period November 2013-October 2014 is due January 2014. on 1 November 2013. Subscription Rates for the European Membership Subscription Rates Mathematical Society and JEMS via the LMS The annual subscription to the London Math- Members also have the option to pay their Euro- ematical Society for 2013-14 is: pean Mathematical Society subscription via the LMS and subscribe to the Journal of the European Ordinary membership £60.00 Mathematical Society (JEMS): Concessions on Ordinary membership: EMS subscription (via the LMS) £22.00 - Reciprocity £30.00 JEMS subscription (via the LMS) £120.00 - Career break or part-time working £15.00 We would like to notify members that there will Associate membership £15.00 be an increase from 6 issues to 12 issues of the LMS Journal Prices JEMS in 2014. The prices of the Society’s periodicals for 2014 are: Renewal and Payment Print only Online Print & 6 Members may now electronically update their 7 only online personal contact details on the members’ section Bulletin N/A Free £81.00 of the LMS website and all members are encour- Journal N/A Free £145.00 aged to use this facility. A subscription form will be sent by email or Proceedings N/A Free £155.00 post to all members to complete and return with Rest of World North America payment in the enclosed envelope. If you do not receive your subscription form by 30 September, £100.00 Nonlinearity £81.00 ($200.00) please contact Membership (membership@lms.

JCM (electronic) Free ac.uk; 020 7291 9973). Please note all members will be asked to com- We would like to draw members’ attention to the plete and return the subscription form as it also following changes regarding the Society’s journals: requests permission to include members’ details 1. Council has agreed the Society will no longer of- in the Members’ Handbook 2014. fer print-only copies of the Bulletin, Journal and The Society encourages payment by direct Proceedings of the London Mathematical Soci- debit. If you do not already pay by this method ety to members from 1 January 2014. and would like to set up a direct debit (this re- 2. Council has agreed the Society will offer free quires a UK bank account), please visit the LMS electronic access to Bulletin, Journal and Pro- website to download the direct debit mandate ceedings of the London Mathematical Society to form: www.lms.ac.uk/sites/default/files/Mem members for personal use from 1 January 2014. bership/Direct%20Debit%20Form.pdf. To receive free electronic access for personal The Society also accepts payment by cheque use, members must note this on their subscrip- or credit/debit card. tion form when returning it to Membership. Please note that subscriptions become due on Please note that for online journal subscriptions 1 November 2013 and payment should be re- it is essential that members provide the Society ceived by 1 December 2013. with an up-to-date email address as the email Elizabeth Fisher address will be passed to Oxford University Press Membership & Activities Officer LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 426 July 2013

LMS GRANT SCHEMES have a common research interest. abroad to the home base of the grant holder. provides high quality training for postgradu- ate students in core areas of mathematics. For Next Closing Date for Research Grant Joint Research Groups (Scheme 3) – Renewal Grants of up to £600 are available to support further information on Research Schools and Applications: 15 September 2013 procedure a visit for collaborative research either by the how to submit a proposal, please visit: www. ALL renewal applications MUST be accompa- grant holder to another institution within lms.ac.uk/events/lms-cmi-research-schools. Applications are invited for the following nied by a Financial and Academic Report for the UK, or by a named mathematician from grants: the previous year’s activities. Please note that within the UK to the home base of the grant Research Workshop Grants full reports should always be submitted (‘light holder. The Society offers grants to support Research Conferences (Scheme 1) touch’ refers to the application procedure Workshops held in the UK. Requests for Grants of up to £7,000 are available to pro- only). International Short Visits (Scheme 5) support (for travel and subsistence of par- vide partial support for conferences held in Grant holders wishing to renew their ap- Grants of up to £3,000 are available to sup- ticipants, and reasonable associated costs) the United Kingdom. This includes a maxi- plication may use the Light Touch Application port a visit for collaborative research by a in the range £1,000-£10,000 will be consid- mum of £4,000 for principal speakers, £2,000 Form if: named mathematician from a country in ered. For further information and applica- to support the attendance of research stu- The original or last full renewal application Africa (or countries where mathematics is tion forms, visit: www.lms.ac.uk/content/ dents who are studying at universities in the was made in the last TWO years, and NONE of in a similar position) to the home base of research-workshops-grants. UK, and £1,000 to support the attendance of the following have changed: the grant holder. Grants of up to £2000 are participants from Scheme 5 or former Soviet • the grant holder, available to support a visit for collaborative Young British and Russian Mathematicians Scheme Union countries. • the supporters, and research by the grant holder to a country in • the amount requested* Africa (or countries where mathematics is in a a) Visits to Russia Celebrating new appointments (Scheme 1) * Please note that with the increased maxi- similar position). Applications are invited from young British Grants of up to £600 are available to provide mum awards, grant holders may still apply For full details of these grant schemes, and postdoctoral mathematicians who wish to 8 partial support for meetings held in the Unit- using the Light Touch scheme and request to download application forms, visit the LMS spend a few weeks in Russia giving a series 9 ed Kingdom to celebrate the new appoint- the increased award per meeting (£500), e.g. website: www.lms.ac.uk/content/research of survey lectures on the work of their school. ment of a lecturer at a UK university. up to £2,000 for 4 meetings, provided that -grants. Applications received by 15 Septem- The LMS is offering grants of up to £500 to no other details have changed and that the ber 2013 will be considered at a meeting in meet the travel costs, while the host should Postgraduate Research Conferences number of meetings has not changed. October. Applications should be submitted apply to the Russian Academy of Sciences for (Scheme 8) Grant holders MUST use the Full Renewal well in advance of the date of the event for funding towards local expenses for accommo- Grants of up to £4,000 are available to pro- Application Form if: which funding is requested. dation and subsistence. Please contact Sylvia vide partial support for conferences held in The original or last full renewal application Normally grants are not made for events Daly ([email protected]) for information be- the United Kingdom, which are organised by was made THREE years ago, and/or ANY of which have already happened or where insuf- fore contacting the Russian Academy of Sci- and are for postgraduate research students. the following have changed: ficient time has been allowed for processing ences for funding. • the grant holder, of the application. Applications to the LMS should include the Visits to the UK (Scheme 2) • the supporters or Queries regarding applications can be ad- following: Grants of up to £1,500 are available to pro- • the amount requested dressed to the Grants Administrators or the 1. A brief academic case for the visit, includ- vide partial support for a visitor to the UK, If a renewal application is unsuccessful, nor- Programme Secretary (see below) who will be ing a description of your current research who will give lectures in at least three sepa- mally the grant will be terminated at the end pleased to discuss proposals informally with interests, and an outline of your planned rate institutions. Awards are made to the host of the calendar year. A supplementary grant potential applicants and give advice on the work during the visit (no more than one towards the travel, accommodation and sub- will be available to cover actual expenditure submission of an application. side of A4). sistence costs of the visitor. for a meeting held during the autumn term. Grants Administrators: Sylvia Daly and Eliz- 2. A brief CV (no more than one side of A4). This will normally be the equivalent of the abeth Fisher and (tel: 020 7291 9971/3, email: 3. A brief budget. Joint Research Groups (Scheme 3) grant awarded for one meeting, eg £500, and [email protected]).Programme Secretary: Rob 4. A letter of invitation from the head of the Grants of up to £2,000 are available to provide will not usually exceed one third of the previ- Wilson ([email protected]). host department in Russia, which must support to research groups of mathematicians ous year’s grant. OTHER LMS GRANTS AND FUNDING state explicitly that your accommodation to enable them to engage in collaborative and subsistence expenses will be met by activities through holding regular meetings Research in Pairs (Scheme 4) LMS-CMI Research Schools them. This should include provisional (the maximum award is for four meetings Grants of up to £1,200 are available to sup- The Society and the Clay Mathematics Insti- dates for the visit. held in the academic year). Groups should be port a visit for collaborative research either tute offer funding of up to £31,000 (including Financial and academic reports will be re- made up of mathematicians who are working by the grant holder to another institution honoraria for organisers) towards the cost of quired after the visit. In exceptional circum- in at least three different locations and who abroad, or by a named mathematician from running a one-week Research School which stances, applications may be considered from LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

strong research students who are close to fin- Grace Chisholm Young Fellowship Childcare Supplementary Grants and which called for more ‘policy-muscle’ to ishing their doctorates. Applications should The Society offers two fellowships of £1,000 Grants of up to £200 are available to par- speed up improvements in diversity. Repre- include a strong case and the student should (consisting of £500 personal support and ents working in mathematics to help with sentatives of the LMS were also present at obtain a letter of recommendation from his/ £500 contribution to a host institution) each the cost of childcare when attending a con- two meetings with the Minister of State for her supervisor. year to mathematicians who need support ference or research meeting. The Society Universities and Science, David Willetts. The when their mathematical career is inter- believes that all parents working in mathe- first, a CMS/STEM learned societies meeting, b) Visits to Britain rupted by family responsibilities, relocation matics should be able to attend conferences was attended by the President Designate, Under this Scheme, applications may also be of partner, or other similar circumstance. and research meetings without being hin- Terry Lyons, who reported that the Minister made by any mathematician in Britain wish- These fellowships, named after Grace dered by childcare costs. Institutions are ex- seemed genuinely interested in supporting ing to host a visit by a young Russian postdoc- Chisholm Young, aim to provide some sup- pected to make provision for childcare costs STEM subjects and was looking to learned so- toral mathematician who wishes to spend a port, making possible some continuous and parents are encouraged to make enquir- cieties to help him do this. Terry also noted few weeks in Britain giving a series of survey mathematical activity, so enabling the fel- ies. However, where this is not available, that the Minister was very pleased to have lectures on the work of their Russian seminar. low to be in a position to apply for posts the Society administers a Childcare Sup- the Deloitte Report, considering it an impor- The LMS is offering grants to the host insti- when circumstances allow. The Fellowship plementary Grants Scheme. Please see the tant tool for himself and the Treasury. The tution to meet the visitor’s actual travel and will give an endorsement of the holder's website for further details: www.lms.ac.uk/ second, a CMS/Department for Business, In- accommodation costs of up to £1,500. Appli- status as a mathematician, so that the break content/childcare-supplementary-grants. novation and Skills round table meeting spe- cations should include the following: in formal employment should not prevent cifically for mathematics, was attended by 1. Name and brief CV of the visitor. them from resuming a career as a math- LMS COUNCIL DIARY John Greenlees and the Education Secretary, 2. A brief budget ematician at a later stage. Please see the Alice Rogers, who agreed that the Minister 5 July 2013 3. A brief description of the course of lectures. website for further details http://lms.ac.uk/ seemed genuinely supportive of mathemat- 4. A letter or email of agreement from the grants/grace-chisholm-young-fellowships A personal view ics, but noted that it was important to keep 10 head of the host department, including the up the momentum if we want to ensure that 11 proposed dates of the visit. Small Grants for Education At the Council meeting on 5 July we were financial commitments are made. Financial and academic reports will be Funding for grants up to £800 is available to very pleased to learn that since the previ- On the fund-raising front, the President required after the visit. Further details of stimulate interest and enable involvement ous meeting the interests of the Society had reported on the great success of the first De the Scheme can be found on the LMS web- in mathematics from Key Stage 1 (age 5+) been presented to Members of Parliament Morgan dinner at which seven guests had site: www.lms.ac.uk/content/international- to Postgraduate level and beyond. Anyone on no less than four occasions. At the be- been entertained. (The aim of the De Mor- grants#YBR. Applications received by 15 working/based in the UK is eligible to apply ginning of June the President, Graeme Segal, gan dinners is to bring together supporters September 2013 will be considered at a meet- for a grant. If the applicant is not a member and other Officers and Members of Council of mathematics external to the usual aca- ing in October. Enquiries should be made to then the application must be countersigned attended the CMS launch of the Deloitte demic community in order to share ideas and the Grants Administrators: Sylvia Daly and by an LMS member or another suitable per- Report, Measuring the Economic Benefits of aspirations, including for the future funding Elizabeth Fisher (tel: 020 7291 9971/3, email: son such as a Head teacher or senior col- Mathematical Science Research in the UK, of the Society.) The Treasurer thanked the [email protected]). league. The next deadline for applications at the House of Commons. At this event, DMH staff for the excellent way they had ar- is 31 August 2013. Please see the website politicians, representatives from industry, as ranged the dinner which had been an impor- Spitalfields Days for further details: www.lms.ac.uk/content/ well as key figures from the mathematical tant factor in its success. Grants of up to £1,000 are available to support small-grants-education. sciences community, were gathered togeth- The Treasurer then began his report by in- an LMS Spitalfields Day, which have been run er in recognition of the vital and on-going forming us that, on current projections, we since 1987 and are in honour of the Society’s Computer Science Small Grants (Scheme 7) contribution made by mathematical sciences are heading for a significant underspend on predecessor, the Spitalfields Mathematical So- Funding for grants up to £500 is available to research to the UK economy. (Printed cop- our 2012-13 income and expenditure budg- ciety (1717-1845). A Spitalfields Day is a one- support a visit for collaborative research at ies of the Deloitte Report can be obtained et, due mostly to a larger than anticipated in- day meeting, which is usually associated with the interface of Mathematics and Computer from [email protected].) Later in the come from publications and a lower take-up a long-term symposium on a specialist topic Science either by the grant holder to anoth- month, Graeme and John Greenlees (Vice of grants than expected. However, he also at a UK university. Selected participants, often er institution within the UK or abroad, or President) attended the Parliamentary Links pointed out that we cannot expect income distinguished experts from overseas, give sur- by a named mathematician from within the Day – the largest science day on the an- from publications to continue at the current vey lectures (or other types of lecture acces- UK or abroad to the home base of the grant nual Parliamentary events calendar – which rate, and that the take-up of grants is ex- sible to a general mathematical audience) on holder. The next deadline for applications this year focused on diversity in science and pected to improve, especially since there are topics in the field of the symposium. Please is 15 November 2013. Please see the website included an all-woman panel, with Cathy now Society representatives in mathematics see the website for further details: www.lms. for further details: www.lms.ac.uk/content/ Hobbs representing the LMS, discussing the departments promoting the Society’s grant ac.uk/content/spitalfields-days#applications. computer-science-small-grants-scheme-7. loss of talent from women leaving science schemes. We then gave our approval for the LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

income and expenditure budget for 2013-14 GENERAL MEETING and the planning figures for 2014-16, having RECORDS OF PROCEEDINGS AT LMS MEETINGS first been taken carefully through each of OF THE SOCIETY the different sections. Report GENERAL MEETING Among the updates from the Committees was one from the Women in Mathematics This year's Society meeting took place on Friday Committee on the Good Practice Scheme. 5 July 2013, a rather nice sunny day in London. held on 5 July 2013 at De Morgan House, London. Over 50 members and visitors were It is impressive to see how much has been The meeting itself was attended by quite a range present for all or part of the meeting. achieved by the WIM Committee on this of mathematicians: from graduate students and The meeting began at 3.30 pm with the President, Dr Graeme Segal, FRS, in the front, including workshops as well as the teachers to esteemed professors, among whom Chair. production and launch of the Benchmarking were this year's speakers, Professor Karl-The- Eleven people were elected to Ordinary Membership: Bruce Bartlett, Oren Ben-Bas- Survey and Report (reported in a previous odor Sturm of Universität Bonn and Professor sat, David Foster, Joe Gildea, Aoife Hunt, Christian Johansson, Nikolaos Katzourakis, Newsletter), and the publication of the GPS S.R.S. Varadhan of the Courant Institute, NYU. Yakov Kremnitzer, Mathew Pugh, Jennifer Ryan, Paul-James White. booklet. And it should not go unremarked The meeting was opened by Professor Grae- Thirteen people were elected to Associate Membership: Aisha Algahtani, Rebecca that the WIM Committee is the first Commit- me Segal, who acted as Chair of the Society Cornwell, Elizabeth Howarth, Rahul Jha, Liliane Merzougui, Jamie Phillips, Tahel tee of the Society to have a Twitter account! meeting for his last time as President. To begin, Ronel, Ana Rovi, Carmen Rovi, Neil Saunders, Inga Schwabrow, Richard Skillicorn, The Society’s Strategic Plan has now be- as is customary, the names of new members Ansgar Wenzel. come a regular item on the Agenda and this were displayed on the screen and were met One person was elected to Reciprocity Membership: Andrzej Frydryszak. time we spent quite a bit of time discussing with approval. Following this, the winners of Five members signed the book and were admitted to the Society. various ways in which the Society could best the Society's prestigious De Morgan medal, Nay- On a recommendation from Council it was agreed to elect Dr Don Collins and Pro- support early career researchers. We even- lor Prize and both Senior and Junior Whitehead fessor Chris Lance as scrutineers in the forthcoming Council elections. 12 tually agreed to launch a post-doctoral fel- prizes were announced. In particular, Professor The President, on Council’s behalf, proposed that Professor Dennis Sullivan of 13 lowship scheme covering travel grants of six Luis Alday, Dr André Neves, Dr Tom Sanders and Stony Brook University and Professor Margaret Wright of the Courant Institute, NYU, months. The scheme is to begin with a two- Dr Corinna Ulcigrai were those young math- be elected to Honorary Membership of the Society. year trial period, with the first grants being ematicians honoured by the Junior Whitehead The President then announced the awards of the prizes for 2013: awarded in the 2014-15 financial year. Prizes for their achievements in the areas of Under Membership, we were asked to con- mathematical physics, geometric analysis, ad- De Morgan Medal Professor John Thompson, FRS (University of Cambridge) sider a recommendation from Publications ditive combinatorics and dynamical systems, Senior Whitehead Prize Professor Frances Kirwan, FRS (University of Oxford) Committee, namely, that from 2014 onwards respectively. Naylor Prize and Lectureship Professor Nick Trefethen, FRS (University of Oxford) members should receive free access to elec- With Society business addressed, the main for Applied Mathematics Professor Luis Alday (University of Oxford) tronic-only versions of the Bulletin, Journal attraction of the afternoon could begin. Profes- Whitehead Prizes Dr André Neves (Imperial College, London) and Proceedings, with the print-only option sor Sturm delivered an interesting talk on the Dr Tom Sanders (University of Oxford and from for Members being discontinued, and the geometric structure of the space X of all metric September 2013, University of Cambridge) print and online members’ subscription price measure spaces. Sturm presented the basic prop- Dr Corinna Ulcigrai (University of Bristol) increased by 10% each year to encourage erties of this object before leading the audience the move to electronic-only subscriptions. all the way to the study of gradient flows on The President read short versions of the citations, to be published in full in the The recommendation, which would be of X. After a rather pleasant coffee break in the Bulletin. low-cost to the Society, came as a nice and De Morgan House garden, Professor Varadhan The President introduced a lecture given by Professor Karl-Theodor Sturm (Univer- unexpected surprise to several of us, and we spoke beautifully on that subject for which he is sity of Bonn) on Geometric Analysis on the Space of Metric Measure Spaces. all readily accepted it as a good benefit to so well known - large deviations. Following a break for tea, the President introduced a lecture by Professor S.R. members. A wine reception followed the talks, and Srinivasa Varadhan (Courant Institute, NYU) on Probability, Counting and Large Sadly, we ended on a very worrying note, those who could attend joined the speakers for Deviations. the proposal by the Russian Government to an enjoyable meal at the Grange White Hall At the end of the meeting, the President thanked both speakers for their brilliant liquidate the Russian Academy of Sciences. Hotel. lectures. Council unanimously agreed that the Society We thank the LMS for its kind support which After the meeting, a reception was held at De Morgan House, followed by a dinner should send a letter of protest and delegated made this event possible. at the English Garden Restaurant in the Grange White Hall Hotel. the matter to the President. Mark Wilkinson June Barrow-Green University of Oxford LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

POPULAR LECTURES 2013 about how number theory was defined as an area of mathematics to the variety of ap- Report proaches different mathematicians have used On Tuesday 25 June 2013, some mathematics to define and resolve fundamental questions department school teachers and students vis- of number. ited the Institute of Education, University of This was an excellent opportunity to hear London, to hear two lectures organised by the practising mathematicians explaining their London Mathematical Society. The first lec- work and its applications and we hope to at- ture was entitled Mathematics in the Court- tend future lectures in this series next year. room. In this talk, Professor Ray Hill from the Photographs can be found on the back cov- University of Salford showed how the misuse er of this Newsletter. of mathematics can lead to miscarriages of Produced by pupils of Grey Coat Hospital justice, and how the correct use of mathemat- ics can help to prevent them. It was fascinat- OPEN HOUSE LONDON 2013 ing to learn how important an understanding of probability is in accurately and effectively After the success of last year’s event, which interpreting different pieces of evidence. attracted around 300 visitors to De Morgan The second lecture was called Addictive House, the LMS is once again taking part in Number Theory and was delivered by Dr Vicky Open House London. De Morgan House will Neale of the University of Cambridge. Dr be open from 11 am till 4 pm on Sunday 22 Neale illustrated several interesting number September 2013 and visitors will be able to 14 facts about prime and square numbers by ask- enjoy a guided tour of the building, and re- 15 ing and answering some intriguing questions ceive information about the London Math- about adding whole numbers. We learnt ematical Society and mathematics. LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 426 July 2013

EUROPEAN NEWS The Spanish BBVA Foundation Frontiers of activities, exhibitions, conferences, etc. These budget came from net-payers, in particular Knowledge Awards presented in Madrid in activities were highly recognised at an inter- from the UK, in the months ahead of the sum- Science Europe is the newly-created asso- June included awards in basic sciences to math- national level, with the partnership of UNICEF, mit. On the other hand, several countries, in ciation of European Research Funding and ematicians Ingrid Daubechies and David Mum- UNESCO, ANMS (National Association of Natu- particular France and the Eastern European Research Performing Organizations. Recent- ford for their development of mathematical ral Science Museums), ECSITE (European Net- countries, are known to be strong defenders ly-appointed members of its Physical, Chemi- tools of transcendental value for efficient data work of Science Centres and Museums) and of the large spending blocks of agriculture cal and Mathematical Sciences Committee compression and computer vision technology Hands on! Europe (Association of children’s and cohesion. As a consequence, other budget include Laszlo Lovasz (Budapest) and Karl http://tinyurl.com/ltcgkbr (go to Press Release). museums), etc. headings, in particular the research budget of Sigmund (Vienna). For more information see VU Amsterdam As a result of a restructur- The Science Centre was an attempt to cre- the European Union, were highly endangered http://tinyurl.com/l5uyyfv. ing plan the Free University Amsterdam (VU) ate in Italy a centre of distinction for high as a target for substantial cuts. Luckily, how- Russian Academy of Sciences The Russian formally terminated the Geometry/Topology level popularisation and diffusion of science, ever, in the early morning hours of 8 February, government recently launched a bill pro- research programmes in May. The VU did not at a level comparable with the best interna- a specific sentence was inserted in the agree- posing fundamental changes to the Russian dismiss the members of the Geometry Section tional experiences in this field. Its location in ment of the EU leaders: “[T]he funding for Ho- Academy of Sciences, founded in 1724 by as originally planned, but the development Naples, in the south of Italy, a region which rizon 2020 and ERASMUS for all programmes Peter the Great. The plan is for the academy to has had serious consequences for several VU particularly suffers from economic depression, will represent a real growth compared to 2013 merge with two minor societies: the Russian researchers. For more information see http:// was also meaningful as a sign of commitment level.” Academy of Medical Sciences and the Rus- euro-math-soc.eu/node/3833. to cultural and social development. Its destruc- How did that happen? What made EU lead- sian Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The EMS NEWSLETTER tion is therefore a grave event for the Italian ers acquiesce to a move that has saved the re- responsibility for the more than 400 research scientific community and for the entire society. search communities from stronger cuts? institutes now under the academy’s auspices The following two items are taken, with permission, The Science Centre burned on a Monday from the EMS Newsletter issue 88 (www.ems-ph.org/ would be transferred to a new government- night, the day in which the centre is closed. [From Can Science Advocacy Make a Difference? by journals/journal.php?jrn=news). 16 run agency. Strong protests by scientists in This is seen as a sign of malice. Hence, the sus- Wolfgang Eppenschwandtner, pp. 51-53. For back- 17 ground to the effective campaign that brought this Russia and from all over the world have result- Science City burned down picion that we are facing arson is very high. If about see the complete article.] ed in a three-year transition period and parlia- On 4 March 2013 the ‘Citt� della Scienza’ (Sci- so, one might be tempted to think that some- mentary vote on a second modified version is ence Centre) in Naples burned in a fire. The body, to be identified, wanted to destroy an David Chillingworth postponed to the Autumn. Science Centre was located in the Bagnoli institution which was important not only from LMS/EMS Correspondent European Mathematical Society Publications area, on the coast, in the northern part of a cultural but also from a social and economic Committee is preparing a position paper on Naples, at the border with the city of Pozzu- viewpoint. This would be further evidence of VISIT OF CHRISTOPHER open access (OA) publication that includes oli. The area occupied by the Science Centre savagery to which too often our society expos- (among many other topics) consideration of was part of a huge industrial environment es us. Against it, as human beings, and citizens DODD an EMS common platform for European Math- devoted to a steel plant which closed down and scientists, we have to raise our voices and Dr Christopher Dodd (University of Toronto) ematics. The Chair is Bernard Teissier (Paris). in 1992. The whole area, of about 120 hec- fight. The Italian Mathematical Union has put will visit the UK from 22 October to 7 Novem- Lagrange Days: 18-19 October 2013 at CIRM tares, has been abandoned since then, with the problem on its agenda, in order to study ber 2013. Dr Dodd’s interests include geomet- Luminy, France. A conference to commemo- the only exception being the Science Centre, possible actions to encourage the reconstruc- ric representation theory, in particular with rate the 200th anniversary of Lagrange's which has been a great driving force for the tion of the Science Centre and to show that regards to finite W-algebras, sheaves of de- death (http://tinyurl.com/ltewmf3). cultural and economic rebirth of the whole the will of knowledge can be fostered even formation-quantization algebras, and sheaves EMS Women in Mathematics Committee has neighbourhood and a mark of distinction and amongst the ruins. Meanwhile, the Science of differential operators in both characteristic been involved in setting up a Summer School excellence for the city of Naples. The Science Centre appeals to the good-will of people for zero and positive characteristic. He will give on Apollonian Circle Packings at the Institut Centre was a Science Museum, opened to the concrete help; see http://tinyurl.com/lthz8ay. seminars on the following provisional dates: Mittag Leffler, Stockholm from 23 to 27 June public in 1996 thanks to the collaboration be- Ciro Ciliberto • 22 October, University of Edinburgh 2014. Main speakers are Hee Oh (Brown) and tween scientists and people of culture, the University of Roma ‘Tor Vergata’ • 30 October, University of Glasgow Elena Fuchs (UC Berkeley), and organizers in- Idis Foundation, the managing agency of the [Full article from page 12.] • 5 November, University of Oxford clude Lillian Pierce ([email protected]. centre, the Italian Ministry of University and Dr Dodd will also give a mini lecture series uk). Research, Local Institutions, etc. The Science EU research budget at the universities of Edinburgh and Oxford, Plans are already under way for the 2014 Centre, visited by more than 300,000 people, From 7 to 8 February 2013, the heads of state aimed at PhD students, on topics in geometric International Congress of Women Mathema- especially schoolchildren, included a plan- or government of the European Union con- representation theory. For further information ticians which will take place immediately be- etarium, a theatre (the Galilei 104 Theatre), vened to a decisive meeting to determine the contact Gwyn Bellamy (Gwyn.Bellamy@glas fore the Seoul ICM. The Committee Chair is a conference centre and a science store, and budget priorities of the EU for the years 2014– gow.ac.uk). The visit is supported by an LMS Caroline Series (Warwick). it hosted children’s workshops, international 2020. Strong pressure to cut on the overall EU Scheme 2 grant. LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY Annual General Meeting SOUTH WEST & SOUTH WALES REGIONAL MEETING Friday 15 November 2013 3.00 – 6.00pm Monday 16 December 2013 Mathematics Department, College of Science, Jeffrey Hall, Institute of Education Swansea University 20 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AL. (Nearest tube: Russell Square)

Opening of the meeting Programme • S. Caenepeel (VUB, Brussels) Annual General Meeting • S. Majid (QMUL) • J.T. Stafford (Manchester) Simon Donaldson (Imperial College) Wine Reception/Dinner Title tbc Tea/Coffee 18 The meeting will be held in the afternoon. These lectures are aimed at a gen- 19 eral mathematical audience. All interested, including nonmembers of the LMS, Announcement of Election Results are most welcome to attend this event. Graeme Segal (Oxford) Presidential Address The meeting forms part of a workshop on Categorical and Homological Meth- ods in Hopf Algebras from 16-19 December. The speakers of the workshop The meeting will include the presentation of certificates to the LMS include: M. Aguiar, J. Bichon, A. Bruguieres, J. Gomez Torrecillas, U. Kraehmer, prize winners in 2013. G. Militaru, C. Menini, D. Stefan (to be confirmed), K. Szlachanyi, M. Wambst and R. Wisbauer. The workshop will finish at lunchtime on 19 December. The meeting will be followed by a reception at De Morgan House, Russell Square, and the Society’s Annual Dinner at the Montague Hotel, 15 Mon- For further details, to register for a place at the meeting and workshop and/or tague Street, London WC1B 5BJ. The cost to attend the dinner will be £53 to reserve a place at the dinner, please contact Tomasz Brzezinski (t.brzezinski@ per person. swansea.ac.uk). Those wishing to attend the dinner should contact Leanne Marshall There are funds available to contribute in part to the expenses of members ([email protected]) by Monday 4 November. of the Society or research students to attend the meeting and workshop. Re- quests for support, including an estimate of expenses, may be addressed to For further details about the AGM, please contact Elizabeth Fisher the organisers. ([email protected]). LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

HIGHER STRUCTURES IN • Infinity categories • Derived Geometry ALGEBRAIC ANALYSIS • Hodge D-modules The Higher Structures in Algebraic Analysis • Non-commutative Hodge Structures Winter School and Workshop will be held • Kobayashi-Hitchin correspondence at the Department of Mathematics, Univer- For further information visit the website sity of Padova from 10 to 21 February 2014. at http://events.math.unipd.it/hsaa. The School will take place during the first week and centre around four mini courses ISCHIA GROUP complemented by daily exercise and open discussion sessions. The lecturers are: THEORY 2014 • Francesco Bottacin (Universit� di Padova, The Ischia Group Theory 2014 meeting will Italy) take place at the Grand Hotel delle Terme • Damien Calaque (ETH Zürich, Re Ferdinando, Ischia, Naples, Italy from 1 to Switzerland) 5 April 2014. The scientific programme will • Denis-Charles Cisinski (Universit� de be dedicated to the memory of David Chillag Toulouse, France) on Thursday and to the memory of Brian • Claude Sabbah (École Polytechnique, Hartley on Friday. The meeting will consist France) of talks given by invited speakers and a per- The Workshop during the second week manent poster session. For further informa- will include a series of colloquium-style tion visit the website at www.dipmat.unisa. 20 talks. Topics will include: it/ischiagrouptheory. 21 LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

ABEL VISITING OSTROWSKI PRIZE 2013 illiam enter rize in pplied athematics 2014 SCHOLAR PROGRAM Call for Nominations W B P A M The Niels Henrik Abel Board and the Inter- The aim of the Ostrowski Foundation is to national Mathematical Union invite appli- promote the science of mathematics by peri- Call for NOMINATIONS cations from mathematicians professionally odically awarding an international prize for based in developing countries to visit an in- recent outstanding achievements in pure The Liu Bie Ju Centre for Mathematical Sciences of City University of Hong Kong is ternational research collaborator for a period mathematics or the theoretical foundations inviting nominations of candidates for the William Benter Prize in Applied of one month. The period is extendable for of numerical mathematics. The value of the Mathematics, an international award. up to three month in the case of matching prize for 2013 is 100,000 Swiss Francs. support from the host institution. The prize has been awarded every two The Prize The program is designed for post doctoral years since 1989. The most recent winners The Prize recognizes outstanding mathematical contributions that have had a direct and fundamental mathematicians in the early stages of their are Ben Green and Terence Tao in 2005, impact on scientific, business, financial, and engineering applications. professional careers. It is designed to offer Oded Schramm in 2007, Sorin Popa in 2009 It will be awarded to a single person for a single contribution or for a body of related contributions the opportunity for a ‘research sabbatical’, a and Ib Madsen, David Preiss and Kannan of his/her research or for his/her lifetime achievement. necessary complement to teaching and other Soundararajan in 2011; see www.ostrowski. The Prize is presented every two years and the amount of the award is US$100,000. academic duties for mathematicians desiring ch/index_e.php?ifile=preis for the complete to also sustain a viable research program. list. Nominations The grant will cover health insurance, visa The jury invites nominations for candi- cost, all travel (economy flights or equivalent) dates for the 2013 Ostrowski Prize. Nomina- Nomination is open to everyone. Nominations should not be disclosed to the nominees and and living expenses including accommoda- tions should include a c.v. of the candidate, self-nominations will not be accepted. 22 tion for one month for up to a total maximum a letter of nomination and three letters of A nomination should include a covering letter with justifications, the CV of the nominee, and two 23 amount of US$5,000 per mathematician. reference. The Chair of the jury for 2013 supporting letters. Nominations should be submitted to: Applicants must hold a PhD in mathemat- is Cameron Stewart of the University of Selection Committee ics and be in the early stages of their profes- Waterloo. Nominations should be sent to c/o Liu Bie Ju Centre for Mathematical Sciences sional careers. This means that the applicant [email protected] by 15 September City University of Hong Kong Tat Chee Avenue should be under 40 years on 1 July 2013 and 2013. Kowloon not yet of full professorial rank. The maxi- Hong Kong mum age may be increased by up to three C*-ALGEBRAS Or by email to: [email protected] years in the case of an individual with a bro- Deadline for nominations: 31 December 2013 ken career pattern. This operator algebras meeting will take Applications from women mathematicians place at the University of Aberdeen on 26 Presentation of Prize are strongly encouraged. October 2013 in celebration of the recent The applicant should already have initiated appointment of Aaron Tikuisis. It will consist The recipient of the Prize will be announced at the International Conference on Applied research contact with the proposed interna- of the following talks: Mathematics 2014 from 1 to 5 December 2014. The Prize Laureate is expected to attend the award ceremony and to present a lecture at the conference. tional research partner. The collaboration • David Evans (Cardiff University) should take place at the international part- K-theory and subfactors The Prize was set up in 2008 in honor of Mr William Benter for his dedication and generous support ner’s home institution. • Aaron Tikuisis (University of Aberdeen) to the enhancement of the University’s strength in mathematics. The inaugural winner in 2010 was Applications must be received at least four Dimension and central sequences George C Papanicolaou (Robert Grimmett Professor of Mathematics at Stanford University), and the months before the desired starting date. • Wilhelm Winter (University of Münster) 2012 Prize went to James D Murray (Senior Scholar, Princeton University; Professor Emeritus of The selection committee will review the ap- Regularity and classification of nuclear Mathematical Biology, University of Oxford; and Professor Emeritus of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington). plications and award fellowships every four C*-algebras months. Deadlines are: 1 December 2013 for • Joachim Zacharias (University of Glasgow) The Liu Bie Ju Centre for Mathematical Sciences was established in 1995 with the aim of supporting research visits starting 1 April 2014 and later Nuclear dimension and dynamics world-class research in applied mathematics and in computational mathematics. As a leading research centre in the Asia-Pacific region, its basic objective is to strive for excellence in applied and 1 April 2014 for research visits starting 1 For further information visit the website at mathematical sciences. For more information about the Prize and the Centre, please visit August 2014 and later. http://homepages.abdn.ac.uk/a.tikuisis/Cstar http://www.cityu.edu.hk/lbj/ More information can be found Scotland.html. The meeting is supported by at www.mathunion.org/cdc/grants/abel-visiting an LMS Conference grant to celebrate new -scholar-program. appointments. LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

VISIT OF PAOLO GOOD PRACTICE LORENZONI SCHEME Dr Paolo Lorenzoni (Department of Math- WORKSHOP ematics and Applications, University of 31 October 2013 Milano-Bicocca) will be visiting the UK from 1 to 15 October and from 1 to 15 November Registration is now open for a Good Practice 2013. Scheme workshop to be held on Thursday 31 His expertise in the differential geometric October 2013 in London. theory of integrable systems of hydrody- The workshop will provide individuals and de- namic type and their deformations, Frobe- partments with knowledge and tools they can nius manifolds and their generalisations will use to improve recruitment and retention of contribute to strengthen the existing scien- women in mathematics. This may include mak- tific collaborations between the UK math- ing an application for Athena SWAN status. It ematical physics community, in particular is aimed at those who have not previously at- the newborn group of Integrable Systems at tended a GPS workshop, although those who Northumbria University, and the mathemati- have are also welcome if they think it would be cal physics group based in Milano-Bicocca useful to them. University (Italy). During his visit Dr Loren- zoni will give lectures at: Participants will: • Loughborough University, School of Math- • hear about how the LMS Good Practice 24 ematical Sciences, Wednesday 2 October Scheme can support Departments work- 25 at 4 pm, Room W002, ing towards recruiting and retaining more Deformations of Poisson pencils of hydro- women in mathematics dynamic type: an introduction • hear from Paul Walton, former Head of • Northumbria University at Newcastle upon Chemistry at the University of York – the first Tyne, Department of Mathematics and In- department to receive an Athena SWAN Gold formation Sciences, Wednesday 9 October award at 4 pm, Room PB108, • hear from Athena SWAN about the process Deformations of Poisson pencils of hydro- of applying for Bronze, Silver and Gold dynamic type: an introduction Award department status • University of Glasgow, School of Mathe- • hear from departments already engaged in matics and Statistics, Tuesday 12 Novem- the process of applying for Athena SWAN ber at 4 pm, Maths Room 204, status Darboux-Egorov system, bi-flat F-mani- • make useful contacts with other departments folds and Painlevé VI active in promoting the careers of women in maths Integrable Systems in Newcastle Workshop Dr Lorenzoni will present at this workshop at To register for the workshop please email wom- Northumbria University from 4 to 5 October [email protected] (attendance is free, but 2013 (see page 26). numbers are required for catering purposes). Dr Lorenzoni will be based at the Depart- The workshop will be held at De Morgan ment of Mathematics and Information Sci- House, 57-58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS. ences, Northumbria University at Newcastle The LMS report Advancing Women in upon Tyne. For further information contact Mathematics: Good Practice in UK University A. Moro ([email protected]). Departments is available to download from The visit is supported by an LMS Scheme 2 www.lms.ac.uk/women-mathematics or a grant, Milano-Bicocca University and North- printed copy may be requested from womenin- umbria University. [email protected]. LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

CATEGORICALLY CARDIFF • A. Degasperis (Universit� di Roma "La MATHEMATICAL CHALLENGES IN BUBBLES AND BIOLOGICAL Sapienza") A one-day meeting Categorically Cardiff: • G. El (Loughborough University) FLUID MECHANICS Derived Categories and Algebraic Geometry • E. Ferapontov (Loughborough University) A one-day meeting on Mathematical Challeng- • Eric Lauga (University of Cambridge) will be held at Cardiff University on Friday 18 • B. Huard (Northumbria University) es in Bubbles and Biological Fluid Mechanics • Werner Lauterborn (Third Inst. Physics, October 2013. The talks will take place in the • S. Lombardo (Northumbria University) will be held at the University of Birmingham Göttingen) School of Mathematics from 14:00 to 18:00. • P. Lorenzoni (Universit� di Milano "Bicocca") on 19 September 2013. The meeting coincides • Xiaoyu Luo (University of Glasgow) There will be a small reception and a dinner • M. Mazzocco (Loughborough University) with the retirement of Professor John Blake • Tim Pedley, FRS (University of Cambridge) afterwards. The speakers are: • Moro (Northumbria University) and will celebrate the areas of mathematics • John Ockendon, FRS (University of Oxford) • Miles Reid (Warwick) Clusters, quivers, • J. Sanders (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) to which he has contributed, and will provide No registration fee will be charged; assis- boats and traps • P. Santini (Universit� di Roma "La an opportunity for academics and students to tance with travel expenses will be provided for • Richard Thomas (Imperial) Counting curves Sapienza") interact with some of the world leaders in bio- PhD student attendees. All early career attend- in 3-folds and K3 surfaces • M. Sommacal (Northumbria University) logical fluids and bubble dynamics. The invited ees are encouraged to present a poster on their • Timothy Logvinenko (Cardiff) On braiding • P. Sutcliffe (Durham University) speakers are: research. For more information or to register, criteria for spherical twists • J.P. Wang (University of Kent) • Rachel Bearon (University of Liverpool) email Dr Dave Smith ([email protected]) Everyone is welcome to attend. Limited For further information visit the website at • Christopher Brennan (CALTECH) or Dr David Leppinen (d.m.leppinen@bham. financial support is available for research http://group28.northumbria.ac.uk/IS/ or con- • Georges Chahine (Dynaflow Inc.) ac.uk), or visit http://web.mat.bham.ac.uk/D. students. For further information visit the tact Sara Lombardo (sara.lombardo@north • Suzanne Fielding (University of Durham) Smith/bubbles_and_bio.htm. website at www.cf.ac.uk/maths/subsites/ umbria.ac.uk). The meeting is supported by • Ray Goldstein, FRS (University of Cambridge) The meeting is supported by an LMS Confer- logvinenko/2013-cc. an LMS Conference grant to celebrate new • Nick Hill (University of Glasgow) ence grant and the Institute of Mathematics The meeting is supported by an LMS Con- appointments. • Anne Juel (University of Manchester) and its Applications. 26 ference grant to celebrate new appoint- 27 ments. and the School of Mathematics at PANDA Cardiff University. The next meeting in the PANDA series (Pat- INTEGRABLE SYSTEMS terns, Nonlinear Dynamics and Applications) will be held in the Department of Mathemati- IN NEWCASTLE cal Sciences, University of Bath, on Tuesday 10 The two-day meeting Integrable Systems in September 2013. The invited speakers will be: Newcastle will take place from 4 to 5 October • Istvan Kiss (Sussex) Formulating exact and 2013 at the Department of Mathematics and approximate epidemic models on networks Information Sciences of Northumbria Uni- • Rebecca Hoyle (Surrey) Quantitative genet- versity, Newcastle upon Tyne. The event cel- ics and maternal effects ebrates four newly appointed mathematicians Contributed talks will include: (Dr Sara Lombardo, Dr Matteo Sommacal, Dr • Luke Heaton (Oxford) Growth and trans- Antonio Moro, and Dr Benoit Huard, in order port in fungal networks of appointment) and promotes the activity of • Neville Boon (Surrey) Foot stomping in the research group at Northumbria within the myosin-V the molecular motor North East and in the neighbouring Universi- • Samuel Johnson (Imperial) Modelling food- ties of Newcastle and Durham, as well as Glas- web structure without niche dimensions gow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Loughborough and There is no registration fee. Further details Manchester. can be found at http://people.bath.ac.uk/ The workshop covers a wide range of topics jhpd20/panda or by contacting Jonathan in the field of integrable systems and nonlin- Dawes ([email protected]). ear waves, bringing together experts from the The PANDA network is organised by Jona- UK community and from abroad. The list of than Dawes (Bath), Rebecca Hoyle (Surrey), speakers includes: Paul Matthews (Nottingham) and Alastair • F. Calogero (Universit� di Roma "La Rucklidge (Leeds). The meeting is supported Sapienza") by an LMS Scheme 3 grant. LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

SHEFFIELD • Eduard Feireisl (Czech Academy of as Editor-in-Chief of the American Mathe- hundreds of authors worldwide and contains Sciences) matical Monthly. He was the recipient of the material that is still relevant for researchers in PROBABILITY DAY • Pierre-Gilles Lemarie-Rieusset (University NCRIPTAL/EDUCOM Distinguished Software tropical linear algebra today. A Sheffield Probability Day will take place on of Evry) Award for his MicroCalc educational software Ray was a kind, tolerant and highly re- Wednesday 9 October 2013 in Lecture Thea- • Chun Liu (Penn State University) program. spected man. He will be missed very much tre 6, Hicks Building, Sheffield University. The • Josef Malek (Charles University) Harley is survived by his ex-wife, M. June by his family, friends, colleagues and former speakers are: • James Robinson (University of Warwick) Flanders; sons Daveed and Zvi; three grand- students. • Andreas Kyprianou (Bath) at 2.15 pm • Jose Rodrigo (University of Warwick) children Tal, Nathan and Louis; and two Censored stable processes • Giulio Schimperna (Universitiy of Pavia) great-grandchildren, Yosef and Batsheva. ALAN TURING OPERA • Thomas Mikosch (Copenhagen) at 3.45 pm • Edriss Titi (Weizmann Institute of Science) Report The 2013 Applied Probability Trust Lecture • John Toland (University of Cambridge) RAYMOND CUNINGHAME-GREEN Power law tails in applied probability - • Vlad Vicol (Princeton University) The UK premier of the multimedia opera some recent developments For further information, including how to Professor Raymond Turing Machine took place in the Capitol Tea and coffee will be available at 3.15 register visit the website www.sussex.ac.uk/ Cuninghame-Green MA, Theatre in the campus area of the University pm in Room I15, Hicks Building. All are wel- Users/az73/SussexPDE2013.html. The confer- PhD, DSc, FBCS, FIMA of Manchester, as part of the International come. For further information please contact ence is partially supported by an LMS Confer- who was elected a mem- Congress for the History of Science, Tech- Ursula McGuone (tel: 0114 222 3752, email: ence grant. ber of the London Math- nology and Medicine, held from 21 to 24 [email protected]). The meeting is ematical Society on 18 July 2013. It was performed by the Helsinki sponsored by the Applied Probability Trust. obituaries May 1961, died on 9 June Skaala Opera. We include a report by their 2013, shortly before his Managing Director Satu Strömberg. CLASSICAL AND HARLEY FLANDERS 80th birthday. “It was a unique experience for us to per- 28 Professor Harley M. Peter Butkovic writes: Ray was Professor of form at a science congress and especially at a 29 COMPLEX FLUIDS Flanders, who was Industrial Mathematics at the School of Math- university where Turing has worked. It made A workshop on Recent Trends in Classical and elected a member of ematics in Birmingham 1975-99 and the Head the atmosphere truly magical. The Turing Complex Fluids will be held at the University the London Math- of School 1994-97. He lay the foundations of Machine opera is composed by Eeppi Ursin of Sussex from Thursday 5 to Saturday 7 Sep- ematical Society on 16 management mathematics at Birmingham. and Visa Oscar and based on the play Turing tember 2013. Recent years have witnessed a January 1958, died on Ray retired in 1999 but remained research (2000) by Milo Jaakkola and Jussi Lehtonen. strong development in the analytical study 26 July 2013, aged 87. active. It weaves together soaring emotionally of complex fluids (such as liquid crystals or Zvi Flanders writes: Ray Cuninghame-Green is known as one of charged vocal lines with atmospheric am- polymeric fluids) through non-trivial exten- Harley completed his PhD in mathematics at the first pioneers of max-algebra, today also bient sounds capes and sampled electronic sions of techniques used in classical fluids. On the University of Chicago in 1949. Until 1960 known as tropical mathematics. His first pa- rhythms. The intimate and intense opera for the other hand questions motivated by the he was a professor at the University of Cali- per on max-algebra was published in 1960. two singers is set off by stunning 3D graphics study of complex fluids have raised new and fornia, Berkeley. During part of this time he Ray was probably the first who realised that – a visual element ultimately based on the non-trivial questions in the analysis of classi- was a National Science Foundation Fellow at the maximum cycle mean of a matrix is its innovations of Alan Turing himself. cal fluids, such as the ones related to singular both Cambridge and Hebrew Universities. In principal max-eigenvalue (1962). He achieved Simoneh Turchetti, who is part of the con- forcings. 1960 he was appointed full professor at Pur- fundamental results in the theory of max-lin- gress organising committee, admits that the The aim of the workshop is to further stim- due and later at Tel Aviv University. In 1977 he ear systems, including linear independence, opera had not been a big interest for him ulate these type of interactions focusing in returned to the United States where he held tropical rank, residuation, duality, maxpoly- before. particular on topics such as: weak solutions several positions, most recently as a visiting nomials, the discovery of the characteristic for complex physically relevant systems, regu- scholar at the University of Michigan. maxpolynomial, rational functions and the larity issues and long-term behaviour. Con- Harley authored an important book Differ- proofs of several results for irreducible or fi- firmed speakers are: ential Forms with Applications to the Physical nite matrices proved in full generality in the • John Ball (University of Oxford) Sciences (Academic Press), nearly 100 scientif- 1980s and 1990s by other authors, such as • Jean-Yves Chemin (Pierre and Marie Curie ic papers as well as a number of textbooks on the complete description of (max-algebraic) University) algebra, trigonometry, calculus and Scientific eigenspaces, the cyclicity theorem or spec- • Gui-Qiang Chen (University of Oxford) Pascal. From 1958-63 he was the Associate tral projector. Most of these appear in his • Alexey Cheskidov (University of Illinois at Editor of the Transactions of the American publication Minimax Algebra, Lecture Notes Chicago) Mathematical Society. Between 1966 to 1973 in Economics and Math. Systems 166, Berlin:

• Gianluca Crippa (University of Basel) he served first as Associate Editor and later Springer, 1979. This work has been cited by © Jussi Aalto LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

MATH ON TRIAL: HOW NUMBERS GET USED whether the University of California at have been obvious to them that Madoff AND ABUSED IN IHE COURTROOM by Leila Berkeley was discriminating against wom- could not have been running a legitimate Schneps and Coralie Colmez, 2013, Per- en applicants. After all, in 1973-74, the business. seus Books Group. 272 pp, £17.99, ISBN: University admitted 44% of all male ap- The final chapter gives an account, taken 978-0465032921. plicants, but only 35% of all largely from original French This fascinating book considers ten cases female applicants. So, was sources, of the Dreyfus af- where the use, or more often the misuse, of the University discriminat- fair, which I found to be mathematics has played an important role. ing and, if so, which were both gripping and shocking. Each chapter comprises a brief preview of the guilty departments? The roles of Émile (J’Accuse) a relevant mathematical argument, usually Read this chapter to find the Zola and mathematicians

© Jussi Aalto with an illustration, followed by a vivid ac- answers. such as Henri Poincaré are count of the case in question. Although Netherlands nurse Lucia highlighted in the eventual ‘After I saw a recording of the Turing Ma- the authors (a mother and daughter team) de Berk had the misfortune triumph of reason and jus- chine opera, I definitely wanted to invite the are both mathematicians, the book is in- to be on duty for an unusu- tice over the forces of cor- captivating production to be part of the in- tended for a much wider readership. In my ally large number of baby ruption and cover-up. ternational congress’ said Turchetti. view, they have struck the right balance of deaths. An expert testified A concluding section Though Turing spent his life at the fore- providing enough mathematics for the spe- that there was only a one in briefly reviews the earlier front of technological innovation, his true cialist to check out the details, but not so 342 million chance that she cases and takes stock of goal was the scientific understanding of much as to overwhelm the general reader. could coincidentally have the role of mathematics in the mind. Turing was also a modest and un- The first case is that of Sally Clark and the been present at so many present-day justice. A mi- pretentious man trying to live in a society infamous statistic, quoted by paediatrician natural deaths. Was this fig- nor quibble here concerns 30 that criminalized his sexual orientation, ulti- Professor Sir Roy Meadow, that the chanc- ure correct, and was it nec- the assertion that the Sally 31 mately driving him to suicide. Turing’s death es of her having two natural cot deaths essarily indicative of guilt? Clark case was not eventu- in 1954 remains one of the many enigmas in were one in 73 million. Several pages are Lucia served eight years of a ally resolved by correcting an astonishing life story. On 20 July 2013 The devoted to the earlier career of Professor murder sentence awaiting the answers. the math, but by introducing new medical Independent wrote that Turing is set to be Meadow, and in particular his role in the Chapter 8 is a highly entertaining ac- evidence of infection. While it is true that posthumously pardoned for a homosexual- conviction of serial killer nurse Beverley Al- count of the life of Charles Ponzi and his it was the medical evidence which prompt- ity conviction. litt. Thus, without seeking to excuse the recent reincarnation in the form of Bernie ed the prosecution to throw in the towel ‘I met people that came to see both of serious misuse of probability in the Sally Madoff. A minor criticism I have here is after the first day of the second appeal and our performances. It’s a touching story, the Clark trial, the authors give a rationale for that the final sentence ‘Beware exponen- before the statistical arguments had been music is beautiful, and the visual design puts Meadow’s views. This typifies the objective tial growth investment – it cannot work!’ heard, the written judgement went on to the final touch to it. It is definitely not a tra- and even-handed approach taken by the is too simplistic. All savings at fixed com- say that ‘it seems likely that if statistics had ditional opera’ Strömberg describes. authors throughout the book. pound interest rates will achieve expo- been argued before us, it would have pro- Helsinki Skaala Opera crew had also the Chapter 4 concerns the murder of Mere- nential growth. The point at issue surely is vided a quite distinct basis on which the ap- chance to visit the Alan Turing memorial dith Kirchner in Italy and the convictions of that one should beware of promised rates peal had to be allowed’. statue in the campus area. The statue is Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito, which which are unfeasibly higher than the pre- A few minor quibbles are probably inevi- played by the tenor Juha Hostikka in the op- were subsequently quashed on appeal. The vailing inflation rate. So Ponzi’s promise table in a book of this nature, but I believe era production. chapter ends on an intriguing note, with a to double investments every ninety days they are vastly outweighed by the consid- The tour was sponsored by the City of retrial recently announced and the possibil- clearly couldn’t work, at least for the vast erable merits. The authors have set out to Helsinki Cultural Office, Music Finland, the ity that a further DNA test (advocated by majority of investors. But could the same show to a general audience how the misuse Finnish Music Foundation and the Arts Pro- the authors) might now be carried out. be said of Madoff, whose targeted rates of of mathematics has led to miscarriages of motion Centre, Finland.” Chapter 6 begins with a particularly around 10% per annum were not so obvi- justice, and how the correct use of math- Additional information is available from nice example of Simpson’s paradox. Over ously outside the realms of feasibility by ematics has helped to rectify them. They Satu Strömberg, Managing Director, satu. a twenty year period, the overall average legitimate means? Of course, Madoff’s ‘in- have by and large succeeded in this aim. [email protected], tel. +358 45 score of students on a certain test remained vestments’ turned out to be nothing more The book is packed with interest and dra- 1511 185. the same, yet every one of the six ethnic than a Ponzi scheme, and it is extraordinary ma and I strongly recommend it. By googling Turing Machine Skaala Opera groups making up the cohorts improved that the regulators were duped by him for readers are able to see a YouTube video of their average score! The main thrust of so long. But it seems to me to be harsh Ray Hill this opera. the chapter concerns a 1975 inquiry into on the investors to suggest that it should University of Salford LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

reviews ture courses, and also Bernays’, serve to enrich tions of purely formal proofs for our ideas of postponing set theoretic notation to a later and enlarge our understanding of Hilbert’s what it is to understand mathematics. Finally, appendix, so that, for example, the supre- HILBERT’S PROGRAMS AND BEYOND by W. evolving concerns. two interesting essays Beyond Hilbert’s reach? mum and infimum of a sequence are defined, Sieg, Oxford University Press, 2013, 464 pp, While quite a lot is known about the reac- and Searching for proofs (and uncovering ca- rather than those of a set of numbers. There £55, US$85, ISBN 978-0-19-537222-9. tion of, for example, von Neumann to the pacities of the mathematical mind) conclude is considerable discussion of numbers, which David Hilbert’s work of Gödel, rather less is generally known the book, but they open the prospect that the concentrates on the essential points and em- work on logic, about Hilbert’s own response. In the essay re- ideas of Hilbert, and more especially Bernays, phasises inequalities while avoiding axiomati- set theory, and printed here In the shadow of incompleteness: if taken in their broadest sense as reflections sation. Proof by induction is also avoided. The the foundations Hilbert and Gentzen Sieg shows how Hilbert upon actual mathematics, may well still have author strives to keep his exposition elemen- of mathematics tried to establish the contentual correctness of much to say to us. tary but some of the examples are technically began over a cen- a constructivist or finitist theory. He also dem- quite tricky. tury ago, and has onstrates the influence this idea had on Gen- Jeremy Gray Part II contains many applications, especially naturally been tzen. In a further paper Hilbert and Bernays: Department of Mathematics and Statistics to number theory, introducing the reader to overshadowed by 1939 Sieg shows that they now attempted to Open University the Golden Ratio, Fibonacci sequences, contin- some of the de- respond to the incompleteness theorems by ued fractions, the Riemann zeta function, the velopments it in- exploring the extent of finitist methods and LIMITS, LIMITS EVERYWHERE: THE TOOLS OF distribution of primes and the irrationality of π spired and which demarcating appropriately the methodologi- MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS by David Apple- and e. Here the lack of calculus is a drawback led to the trium- cal standpoint for proof theory. As he notes, baum, 2012, Oxford University Press, 224 pp, and a self-contained account is not possible. phant develop- Gödel himself did not think that the second in- £20.99, ISBN: 978-0-19-964008-9. Much of the material is therefore best seen as ment of the field completeness theorem contradicted Hilbert’s Hardy wrote encouragement to look elsewhere for fuller of mathematical formalist point of view, although Herbrand A Course of Pure treatment (preferably after a few more Anal- 32 logic. As a result, exactly what Hilbert did or and von Neumann disagreed. Inevitably, re- Mathematics with ysis courses!). Towards the end of the book 33 did not do, how it was affected by such discov- sults in this area at the time were inconclusive. a proselytising zeal there are brief discussions of the real number eries as Gödel’s incompleteness theorems, and The predominantly historical essays are com- that prompted Lit- system, including Dedekind sections, set theory how indeed Hilbert himself reacted to that plemented by a matching amount of more tlewood’s compari- (including countability and Cantor’s diagonal work, has slipped into the confused realm of reflective or analytical ones. Sieg argues that son with a missionary argument) and calculus. folklore. Wilfried Sieg has for a long time been at least four notions are central to an under- talking to cannibals. If a second edition is published it is to be one of those keeping an accurate, insightful standing of modern mathematics: structural In these latter days hoped that it will be better proof-read: I no- appreciation of Hilbert’s aims and achieve- definition, rigorous proof, accessible domains, when mathematics ticed Augustus Louis Cauchy, Mobiüs, Ency- ments in plain view, and this book helpfully and mechanical procedures. The first of these is gaining popularity clopèdie, an exponential series beginning at n draws together ten of his papers over the last Hilbert picked up from many sources, but in an in secondary schools = 1 and extraneous paragraph breaks. 25 years with a number of fresh essays. exemplary fashion from Dedekind’s work. At- and mathemat- Who should read this book? Mathematics Sieg situates his analysis of Hilbert’s work in tention to the issue of what constitutes a rig- ics degree courses students about to enter university will find it a deep appreciation of Dedekind’s explana- orous proof came to Hilbert from Frege’s work are recruiting strongly, Analysis is once more an appetising foretaste of things to come and tions of what the natural numbers and the real via Russell and Whitehead. Accessible domains a stumbling block. A text that renders it ap- for many of them it will be a valuable aid to numbers are, and sees Hilbert as thoroughly are a more technical concept that Sieg uses proachable is therefore worthy of notice. their first Analysis course. They will however inspired by Dedekind’s point of view well be- for parts of mathematics that admit inductive The comparison with Hardy is rather unfair be- need a separate source for differentiation fore he turned to foundational questions. Ac- definitions and allow proof by induction. The cause David Applebaum’s intended readership and integration. Those whose courses adopt a cordingly, he writes (with Dirk Schlimm) a long idea of mechanical procedures is in one way encompasses not only mathematics students more foundational approach or include more essay on the evolution of Dedekind’s ideas, a refinement of the idea of a rigorous proof, but a wider numerate community. This book technical concepts such as limsup will also need based on surviving unpublished sources as well but it also points towards a purely formal, does not offer an easy ride but its informal to look elsewhere. Mathematically literate as the famous published accounts. This essay, axiomatic, and syntactic idea of mathematics and enthusiastic literary style hold one’s atten- non-specialists will find the book a readable and accompanying passages in several other that allows rigorous mathematics to be done tion. Perhaps mindful of the content of much introduction to an unfamiliar subject and will essays reprinted here, make it very clear that when conceptual understanding may be lack- current popular mathematical exposition, the recognise topics seen in the media as well as Dedekind’s approach was the key insight for ing and need not, perhaps, be attempted. Two author draws many illustrations from number glimpsing new ones; those who reach the later Hilbert once he turned from providing arith- concerns stand out: the issue of what mixture theory. parts of the book will find it challenging. metic models for axioms systems in geometry of logic and set theory is needed to secure ac- The principal subject matter of Part I is the to seeking foundations for arithmetic. The tual mathematics (which may be rather less convergence of real sequences and series. The Geoffrey Burton abundance of quotations from Hilbert’s lec- than is generally assumed), and the implica- central idea of limit is kept to the forefront by University of Bath LMS NEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 428 September 2013

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Conference, University of Birmingham (416) 9 Sheffield Probability Day, Sheffield (428) 13-17 Inference for Change-point and This calendar lists Society meetings and oth- 15-21 Quantum (semi)groups and (co)ac- 14–18 Quantum Marginals INI Workshop, Related Processes INI Workshop, er mathematical events. Further informa- tions Meeting, Leeds (423) Cambridge (425) Cambridge (428) tion may be obtained from the appropriate 16–20 Holography: From Gravity to Quan- 18 Categorically Cardiff: Derived Categories LMS Newsletter whose number is given in tum Matter INI Workshop, Cambridge (424) and Algebraic Geometry Meeting, Cardiff FEBRUARY 2014 16–20 Operator Algebras Conference, Ab- (428) brackets. A fuller list is given on the Socie- 10-21 Higher Structures in Algebraic Analy- erystwyth (427) 18-19 Lagrange Days: at CIRCM Luminy, ty’s website (www.lms.ac.uk/content/calen- sis Winter School and Workshop, Padova, 17-18 From Spectral Gaps to Particle Filters France (428) dar). 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Dr Vicky Neale (University of Cambridge Professor Ray Hill (Salford University)

The audience

LMS stand