October 2009

THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER No. 385 October 2009

Society COUNCIL MEETING Secretary. A total of 15 candidates have been proposed (9 by Nomi- Meetings 24 August 2009 nating Committee, 6 by members) and Events The Council of the Society met on for the 7 vacancies in Members-at- Monday 24 August under the new Large of Council. Four names have 2009 President, Sir John Ball, FRS, and wel- been proposed (all by Nominating Friday 20 November comed Dr Brian Stewart as Treasurer Committee) for 2 vacancies in the AGM, London to serve until the forthcoming AGM. membership of the Nominating [pages 1, 3] Council confirmed its decision that Committee. Professor Angus Macintyre, FRS, be Please note that completed bal- 4–6 December President-Designate with respect to lot papers must be returned by Joint meeting the coming elections in November. Thursday 12 November 2009. with the Belgian However, as a consequence of A separate form for suggesting Mathematical Society, this Council received with regret names to the Nominating Com- Leuven the resignations with immediate mittee for potential candidates for effect of the Vice-President, Profes- the 2010 elections is also included. 2010 sor Alice Rogers, and the General Members are also able to make Friday 2 July Secretary, Professor Charles Goldie. direct nominations; details will be London Council will aim to appoint Offic- given in the April and May News- ers to the two posts at its meeting letters next year. on 14 October, to serve until the Annual General Meeting on 20 ANNUAL GENERAL November 2009; further information will be posted on the Society’s MEETING website (www.lms.ac.uk). The Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held at 3.15 2009 ELECTIONS TO pm on Friday 20 November 2009 at the Institute of Education, COUNCIL AND London. The business shall be: NOMINATING (i) the adoption of the Annual Report for 2008/09 COMMITTEE (ii) the report of the Treasurer The ballot papers for the November (iii) appointment of Auditors elections to Council and Nominat- (iv) elections to Council and ing Committee are being circulated Nominating Committee with this copy of the Newsletter. (v) presentation of certificates Nominating Committee has put to Prize winners forward names for each Officer I hope that as many members as post; in addition members have possible will be able to attend. proposed candidates for two posts: Peter Cooper General Secretary and Education Executive Secretary

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BERWICK PRIZE 2009 Sylvester Medal

We regret that the following announce- The 2009 Sylvester Medal to Professor Sir ment of the award of the Society’s Berwick John Ball, FRS, for his seminal work in Prize for 2009, announced at the Meeting mechanics and nonlinear analysis and his on 3 July, was omitted from the list in the encouragement of mathematical research September issue of the Newsletter. The in developing countries. The medal is named Society extends its congratulations to the after James Joseph Sylvester who was winners: Savilian Professor of Geometry, Oxford, in the 1880s and LMS President 1866–68. PROFESSOR JOSEPH CHUANG, of City University London, and DR RADHA KESSAR, Michael Faraday Prize of the University of Aberdeen, are awarded the Berwick Prize in respect of their joint The 2009 Michael Faraday Prize to Profes- paper ‘Symmetric groups, wreath products, sor Marcus du Sautoy. He will deliver the Morita equivalences and Broué’s abelian Faraday Lecture in early 2010. The Michael defect conjecture’, Bulletin of the London Faraday Prize is the United Kingdom’s pre- Mathematical Society 34 (2002) 174–185. mier award for science communication and is awarded annually for excellence in communicating science to UK audiences. ROYAL SOCIETY AWARDS Marcus du Sautoy is an LMS member and The Royal Society has announced the a member of the LMS–IMA Mathematics award of the following: Promotion Unit Steering Group.

LMS Newsletter General Editor: Dr D.R.J. Chillingworth ([email protected]) Reports Editor: Dr S.A. Huggett ([email protected]) Reviews Editor: Mr A.J.S. Mann ([email protected]) Administrative Editor: Miss S.M. Oakes ([email protected]) Editorial office address: London Mathematical Society, De Morgan House, 57–58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS (t: 020 7637 3686; f: 020 7323 3655; e: [email protected], w: www.lms.ac.uk) Typeset by the London Mathematical Society at De Morgan House; printed by Holbrooks Printers Ltd. Publication dates and deadlines: published monthly, except August. Items and advertisements by the first day of the month prior to publication, or the closest preceding working day. News items and notices in the Newsletter are free to be used elsewhere unless otherwise stated, although attribution is requested when reproducing whole articles. Contributions to the Newsletter are made under a non-exclusive licence; please contact the author for the rights to reproduce. The ANNUAL DINNER 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. The 2009 Annual Dinner will be held after the Annual General Meeting at 7.30 pm on Friday Charity registration number: 252660. 20 November at The Park Hotel, London WC1. The cost for members and their guests is £43

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Sylvester Medal

The 2009 Sylvester Medal to Professor Sir LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY John Ball, FRS, for his seminal work in mechanics and nonlinear analysis and his ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING encouragement of mathematical research in developing countries. The medal is named after James Joseph Sylvester who was Friday 20 November 2009 Savilian Professor of Geometry, Oxford, in Jeffery Hall, Institute of Education, Bedford Way, London WC1 the 1880s and LMS President 1866–68.

Michael Faraday Prize 3.15–3.30 Annual General Meeting

The 2009 Michael Faraday Prize to Profes- 3.30–3.45 Roger Heath-Brown (Oxford) sor Marcus du Sautoy. He will deliver the The most important problem in mathematics (?) Faraday Lecture in early 2010. The Michael Faraday Prize is the United Kingdom’s pre- 3.45–4.15 Tea mier award for science communication 4.15–4.45 Leif Abrahamsson (Uppsala) and is awarded annually for excellence in communicating science to UK audiences. Support for mathematics in developing countries Marcus du Sautoy is an LMS member and a member of the LMS–IMA Mathematics 4.45–5.15 Rosemary Bailey (QMUL) Promotion Unit Steering Group. Teaching mathematics: satnav or map?

5.15–5.45 Ken Brown (Glasgow) LMS Newsletter The Research Excellence Framework and issues arising from it General Editor: Dr D.R.J. Chillingworth ([email protected]) Followed by a Reception at De Morgan House. Reports Editor: Dr S.A. Huggett ([email protected]) Reviews Editor: Mr A.J.S. Mann ([email protected]) The AGM will include the presentation of certificates to the 2009 LMS prize winners. Administrative Editor: Miss S.M. Oakes ([email protected]) Editorial office address: London Mathematical Society, De Morgan House, 57–58 Russell Square, There are funds available to contribute in part to the expenses of London WC1B 4HS (t: 020 7637 3686; f: 020 7323 3655; e: [email protected], w: www.lms.ac.uk) members of the Society or research students to attend the meeting. Typeset by the London Mathematical Society at De Morgan House; printed by Holbrooks Printers Ltd. Requests for support, and any other queries about the AGM, should Publication dates and deadlines: published monthly, except August. Items and advertisements by the be sent to Isabelle Robinson ([email protected]). first day of the month prior to publication, or the closest preceding working day. News items and notices in the Newsletter are free to be used elsewhere unless otherwise stated, although attribution is requested when reproducing whole articles. Contributions to the Newsletter are made under a non-exclusive licence; please contact the author for the rights to reproduce. The ANNUAL DINNER 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. The 2009 Annual Dinner will be held after the per person. The booking form, enclosed with Annual General Meeting at 7.30 pm on Friday this Newsletter, should be returned together Charity registration number: 252660. 20 November at The Park Hotel, London WC1. with payment to Leanne Marshall at the The cost for members and their guests is £43 Society’s offices byMonday 9 November.

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DAVID CRIGHTON MEDAL was able to cement its position as a key asset for the whole UK community. The breadth of 2009 exceptional programmes that Keith was able The Councils of the Institute of Mathematics to attract from across the full mathematical and its Applications and the London Mathe- spectrum was a key element during his period matical Society have awarded the 2009 David as Director. INI participants speak with great Crighton Medal for services to mathematics affection of his constant interest in their pro- and to the mathematical community to Pro- grammes and his attention to detail. fessor Keith Moffatt, FRS, Emeritus Professor Keith has also given many years of out- of Mathematical Physics at the University of standing service to the International Union of Cambridge, in recognition of his contribu- Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (IUTAM), tions to fluid dynamics and mathematical including a period as President, 2000–04. modelling and for his leadership in many po- Beyond these contributions he is particularly sitions in UK and international mathematical active in helping to build capacity for math- organisations. ematical research in developing nations, Keith Moffatt is one of the world’s pre- and has been a long-term champion of the eminent applied mathematicians, who has, African Institute of Mathematical Sciences in over a research career spanning 50 years, Cape Town. made landmark contributions to an extra- The medal will be awarded at an event ordinarily wide range of problems in fluid scheduled to take place on the evening of 17 mechanics. March 2010 at the Royal Society in London. Seminal works include his creation of Details of how Society members can apply for the new sub-discipline of topological fluid tickets will be released nearer to the time. mechanics, in which he used fundamental notions from topology to shed light on the CECIL KING TRAVEL dynamics of turbulent flow; his discovery of unsteady circulatory motion in low-Reynolds SCHOLARSHIP number corner flow (the so-called Moffatt The 2009 Cecil King Travel Scholarship has eddies); and in magnetohydrodynamics, in been awarded to Gwyn Bellamy, a postgradu- which he elucidated the interaction between ate research student at the University of fluid turbulence and magnetic fields. Edinburgh. The London Mathematical Society Keith’s work is characterised by his ability to makes the award of up £5,000 annually to a translate complex physical processes into trac- young mathematician of outstanding prom- table mathematical models, which he solves ise, to support a period of study or research with great elegance to yield an extraordinary abroad for a typical period of three months. level of new physical insight and understand- Gwyn will use the Scholarship to fund a trip ing. His ability to communicate this insight to the University of Chicago to explore the to an audience, and to inspire them with his relationship between rational Cherednik fascination for the subject, is one of the hall- algebras and the Geometric Langlands marks of his presentations. Correspondence. Keith has made an immense contribution The Cecil King Travel Scholarship was estab- to the mathematics community. His highly lished in 2001 by the Cecil King Memorial Fund. successful tenure as Director of the Isaac The award is made by the Council of the LMS on Newton Institute (INI) in Cambridge has had recommendation of the Cecil King Prize Com- a major impact on both UK and international mittee, nominated by the Society’s Education mathematics. Under his leadership the INI Committee.

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was able to cement its position as a key asset for the whole UK community. The breadth of exceptional programmes that Keith was able to attract from across the full mathematical spectrum was a key element during his period as Director. INI participants speak with great affection of his constant interest in their programmes and his attention to detail. Keith has also given many years of outstanding service to the International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (IUTAM), including a period as President, 2000–04. Beyond these contributions he is particularly active in helping to build capacity for mathematical research in developing nations, and has been a long-term champion of the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Cape Town. The medal will be awarded at an event scheduled to take place on the evening of 17 March 2010 at the Royal Society in London. Details of how Society members can apply for tickets will be released nearer to the time. CECIL KING TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP The 2009 Cecil King Travel Scholarship has been awarded to Gwyn Bellamy, a postgraduate research student at the University of Edinburgh. The London Mathematical Society makes the award of up £5,000 annually to a young mathematician of outstanding prom- ise, to support a period of study or research abroad for a typical period of three months. Gwyn will use the Scholarship to fund a trip to the University of Chicago to explore the relationship between rational Cherednik algebras and the Geometric Langlands Correspondence. The Cecil King Travel Scholarship was established in 2001 by the Cecil King Memorial Fund. The award is made by the Council of the LMS on recommendation of the Cecil King Prize Com- mittee, nominated by the Society’s Education Committee.

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LONG-STANDING ROYAL SOCIETY INDUSTRY NSF/EPSRC MATERIALS 2009 MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY FELLOWSHIPS 2010 Call for Proposals Changes to the By-laws were approved in This scheme aims to enhance knowledge trans- EPSRC is participating in the 2009 call by the November 2007 which, among other things, fer in science and technology between those in National Science Foundation (NSF) called changed the criteria by which long-standing industry and those in academia. It provides op- Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity members become eligible for free member- portunities for an academic scientist to work on in Materials Research between US Investigators ship. The only criterion is now that the mem- a collaborative project with industry, or someone and their Counterparts Abroad (MWN). The call ber must have paid annual subscriptions for employed in industry to work on a collaborative is an initiative to foster opportunities for collab- at least 35 years. project with a university department or a not- orative activities in materials research between Council agreed transitional arrangements for-profit research organisation. It is anticipated researchers in the US and the rest of the world. to ensure that members who previously that fellows will establish personal and corporate Continued progress in materials research would have qualified for free membership at links between the two sectors in the UK as a foun- is increasingly dependent upon collaborative an earlier point were not unduly disadvan- dation for their long-term future development. efforts among several different disciplines, as taged by this change. Projects at any stage from fundamental science well as closer coordination among funding agen- Members who this year become eligible for to industrial innovation will be supported. cies and effective partnerships involving uni- free membership will be contacted. Members The deadline is Wednesday 14 October versities, industry, and national laboratories. In who would have been eligible for free mem- 2009. For more information visit the website bership but whose eligibility has been de- at royalsociety.org/funding.asp?id=1125. ferred under the transitional arrangements PROGRAMME COMMITTEE GRANTS will also be contacted direct to inform them EPSRC PARTNERSHIPS Grants awarded between December 2008 and July 2009 of the timing of their new eligibility. GRANTS Conference Grants (Scheme 1) VISIT OF The EPSRC Partnerships for Public Engagement Grants awarded to support conferences held in the UK. (PPE) scheme provides opportunities for PROFESSOR T. SEKIMURA researchers to undertake public engagement Conference Applicant Grant Professor Toshio Sekimura (Chubu University, projects related to their research interests. 60th British Mathematical Colloquium M.M. Dodson, S. Donkin, £1,000 Japan) is visiting the UK during September Awards are aimed at active researchers, and (additional grant) G.M. Wood and October. His current research interest is their research groups, in partnership with out- in the analysis of the processes that lead to side specialists or partner organisations that can Algebraic and Arithmetic Geometry of Higher- T. Browning £1,000 diversity in pattern formation and morpho- provide the necessary expertise. The objectives Dimensional Varieties genesis related to cell differentiation. During of the scheme are to: Algebraic Theory of Difference Equations A.V. Mikhailov £5,000 his visit he will give talks at: • enable researchers to carry out high-quality Anglo-French MHD Conference M. Proctor 3,900 • University of Oxford, 2 October, 2–3 pm, public engagement projects related to their £ L3, Mathematical Institute, 24–29 St Giles research interests; Biennial Conference on Numerical Analysis: A. Wathen £700 Parr mark formation in the early development • provide learning and training opportunities Minisymposium ‘The QR Algorithm’ of Amago trout in aspects of public engagement, and to build British Logic Colloquium (BLC 2009) U. Berger £3,768 • University of Strathclyde, 7 October, the capacity and capability for researchers to 3.30–4.30 pm, Livingstone Tower, 8th Floor, be active in public engagement; British Mathematical Colloquium 2009 (& joint J.J. Ward, T.C. Hurley £2,000 Room L8.31 • stimulate the general public’s interest in, and meeting with the Irish Mathematical Society) An integrative approach to pattern engagement with, research and its potential (additional grant) formation in butterfly wings impact on society. British Topology Meeting A. Lazarev £3,900 For further information, contact Dr Anotida Closing date for applications is 4 pm Tuesday CICADA/MIMS Workshop on Numerics for Control and Y. Chahlaoui 3,227 Madzvamuse ([email protected]). 27 October 2009. For more information visit £ Simulation This visit is supported by an LMS Scheme 2 the website www.epsrc.ac.uk/CallsForProposals/ grant. ppestartergrant.htm. Diverse Faces of Arithmetic S. Stevens £5,000

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ROYAL SOCIETY INDUSTRY NSF/EPSRC MATERIALS 2009 addition, because of the growing interdepend- ence of the world’s economies, partnerships are Call for Proposals FELLOWSHIPS 2010 important not only at the national level but This scheme aims to enhance knowledge trans- EPSRC is participating in the 2009 call by the from an international point of view as well. fer in science and technology between those in National Science Foundation (NSF) called Amongst other requirements, proposals must industry and those in academia. It provides op- Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity have a clear relevance to fundamental materials portunities for an academic scientist to work on in Materials Research between US Investigators phenomena, synthesis, characterisation and/or a collaborative project with industry, or someone and their Counterparts Abroad (MWN). The call properties, or materials processing/fabrication, employed in industry to work on a collaborative is an initiative to foster opportunities for collab- and fall within NSF’s remit for the call. This may project with a university department or a not- orative activities in materials research between differ from EPSRC’s remit and must therefore for-profit research organisation. It is anticipated researchers in the US and the rest of the world. be checked with NSF prior to submission. EPSRC that fellows will establish personal and corporate Continued progress in materials research and NSF reserve the right to reject any proposal links between the two sectors in the UK as a foun- is increasingly dependent upon collaborative that does not fulfil the submission criteria. dation for their long-term future development. efforts among several different disciplines, as The deadline is 4 pm Wednesday 11 Novem- Projects at any stage from fundamental science well as closer coordination among funding agen- ber 2009. For more information visit the web- to industrial innovation will be supported. cies and effective partnerships involving uni- site at www.epsrc.ac.uk/CallsForProposals/ The deadline is Wednesday 14 October versities, industry, and national laboratories. In nsfmaterials09.htm. 2009. For more information visit the website at royalsociety.org/funding.asp?id=1125. PROGRAMME COMMITTEE GRANTS EPSRC PARTNERSHIPS Grants awarded between December 2008 and July 2009 GRANTS Conference Grants (Scheme 1) The EPSRC Partnerships for Public Engagement Grants awarded to support conferences held in the UK. (PPE) scheme provides opportunities for researchers to undertake public engagement Conference Applicant Grant projects related to their research interests. 60th British Mathematical Colloquium M.M. Dodson, S. Donkin, £1,000 Awards are aimed at active researchers, and (additional grant) G.M. Wood their research groups, in partnership with out- side specialists or partner organisations that can Algebraic and Arithmetic Geometry of Higher- T. Browning £1,000 provide the necessary expertise. The objectives Dimensional Varieties of the scheme are to: Algebraic Theory of Difference Equations A.V. Mikhailov £5,000 • enable researchers to carry out high-quality Anglo-French MHD Conference M. Proctor 3,900 public engagement projects related to their £ research interests; Biennial Conference on Numerical Analysis: A. Wathen £700 • provide learning and training opportunities Minisymposium ‘The QR Algorithm’ in aspects of public engagement, and to build British Logic Colloquium (BLC 2009) U. Berger £3,768 the capacity and capability for researchers to be active in public engagement; British Mathematical Colloquium 2009 (& joint J.J. Ward, T.C. Hurley £2,000 • stimulate the general public’s interest in, and meeting with the Irish Mathematical Society) engagement with, research and its potential (additional grant) impact on society. British Topology Meeting A. Lazarev £3,900 Closing date for applications is 4 pm Tuesday CICADA/MIMS Workshop on Numerics for Control and Y. Chahlaoui 3,227 27 October 2009. For more information visit £ Simulation the website www.epsrc.ac.uk/CallsForProposals/ ppestartergrant.htm. Diverse Faces of Arithmetic S. Stevens £5,000

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Conference Grants (Scheme 1) continued Visitors Grants (Scheme 2) Grants awarded to support visits to the UK; lectures must be given at three separate institutions. Conference Applicant Grant Enceladus’ Enigmas: Observations and Multiscale N. Brilliantov £3,600 Visitor To visit Applicant Grant Modeling I. Agol Oxford, Imperial College London, Warwick S. Schleimer £1,200 European Conference on Complex Systems 2009 R. MacKay £2,000 J. Athreya Bristol, Warwick, East Anglia A. Ghosh £1,200 Function Theory One-Day Meeting 2009 J.K. Langley £265 T. Bandyopadhyay Birmingham, Warwick, Lancaster A. Guha £1,200 Groups St Andrews 2009 in Bath C. Campbell £5,000 M. Berman Southampton, Royal Holloway, Oxford C. Voll £1,200 ICFT09: 13th UK Meeting on Integrable Models, J. Cardy £1,665 G. de Cooman Durham, Bristol, Newcastle F. Coolen £880 Conformal Field Theory and Related Topics A. Doucet Bristol, Imperial College London, Oxford D. Crisan £1,200 International Symposium on Imprecise Probability: F. Coolen £2,000 A. Dranishnikov Durham, Newcastle, Edinburgh M. Farber £930 Theories and Applications (ISIPTA ‘09) J. Duan Loughborough, Warwick, Swansea H. Zhao £1,200 Liquid Crystal Theory and Modelling: Discussion A. Majumdar £5,000 Meeting M. Ershov Imperial College London, Royal Holloway, B. Klopsch £1,000 Oxford Mathematics of Phase Transitions: Past, Present and D. Ueltschi £3,700 Future M. Field Exeter, Warwick, Manchester P. Ashwin £1,200 Mathematics of the Brain J. Levesley £5,325 S. Gindikin Loughborough, Oxford, Edinburgh E.V. Ferapontov £1,150 Maths 2010 (BMC/BAMC 2010) A. Lacey £15,000 C. Laing Heriot-Watt, Warwick, Nottingham S. Coombes £1,200 New Developments in Elasticity: The Legacy of J. Ball £6,000 C. Makridakis Oxford, Leicester, Sussex E. Georgoulis £1,050 Robert Hooke S. Molchanov QMUL, Leeds, Durham L. Bogachev £1,200 Operators and Operator Algebras in Edinburgh A. Carbery £6,000 K. Parshall Greenwich, Leeds, Open D. Salinger £1,200 Plasmas, Computation and Mathematics R.W. Tucker £1,530 T. Sekimura Oxford, Strathclyde, Sussex A. Madzvamuse £1,200 Reflections on Nonlinear Mechanics A. Champneys £3,227 A. Sims Aberystwyth, Lancaster, Nottingham G. Evans £1,100 Resonance Oscillations and Stability of Nonsmooth J. Lamb £2,000 A.F.M. ter Elst Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea Z. Sobol £1,072 Systems International Workshop D. Yakubovich Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow M. Dritschel £815 Scottish Computational Mathematics Symposium J. Tanner £1,995 Spectral and Cubature Methods in Finance and S. Levendorskiy £3,400 Econometrics Support of Joint Research Groups (Scheme 3) Grants awarded to support collaborative research by groups with common research interests, Stochastic Differential Equations and Stochastic T. Zhang £1,000 at three different locations in the UK. Partial Differential Equations and Related Topics Stochastic Processes at the Quantum Level J. Gough £1,598 Topic or Group Grant holder and Institutions Grant Supporters Two Linked One-Day Combinatorics Colloquia G. Brightwell £1,400 Algebra and Representation A. Sevastyanov, Aberdeen, Newcastle, £1,400 Wales Mathematics Colloquium A.R. Davies £1,430 Theory in the North (ARTIN) P. Jorgensen, D. Jordan Sheffield Workshop in Spectral Theory and PDE A. Pushnitski 5,390 £ North British Mathematical B. Schroers, P. Dorey, Heriot-Watt, Durham, £933 Workshop of Delay Differential Equations: From Y. Kyrychko £4,020 Physics Seminar N. MacKay York Theory to Applications Singularity Theory and D. Mond, V. Goryunov, Warwick, Liverpool, £1,200 Workshop on Lattice Boltzmann Methods G.W. Roberts £1,500 Applications K. Houston Leeds

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October09-NL-143C.indd 9 21/09/2009 11:19:08 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

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Support of Joint Research Groups (Scheme 3) continued Collaborative Small Grants (Scheme 4) continued

Topic or Group Grant holder and Institutions Grant Applicant Institution Collaborator Institution Grant Supporters A. Vdovina Newcastle R. Kangaslampi Helsinki £500 UK Harmonic Analysis and J. Bennett, A. Carbery, Birmingham, Edinburgh, £1,050 H. Touchette QMUL E.G.D. Cohen Rockefeller, New York 400 PDE Research Network J. Rodrigo Warwick £ I. Ballai Sheffield R. Oliver Universitat de les Illes £350 Wessex Theory Seminar G. McCusker, Bath, Southampton, £1,400 Balears, Mallorca V. Sassone, L. Ong Oxford B. Nucinkis Southampton C. Martinez-Perez Zaragoza, Spain 600 Yorkshire Durham Geometry C. Wood, J. Bolton, York, Durham, Leeds £1,050 £ Days J. Wood D. Chillingworth Southampton G. De Matteis Centro De Giorgi, Pisa £150 O. Lakkis Sussex A. Demlow Kentucky University £400 Collaborative Small Grants (Scheme 4) Grants awarded to support collaborative research between individual mathematicians; the S. Guillas University S. Dabo-Niang Charles De Gaulle, Lille £600 collaboration is usually for one visit which may take place in the UK or abroad. College London M. Pollicott Warwick M. Tyran-Kaminska Silesia, Poland £600 Applicant Institution Collaborator Institution Grant P. Busch York H-J. Schmidt Osnabruck £600 V.C. Mavron Aberystwyth J.D. Key Western Cape, South 580 10 £ Africa V. Gould York L. Mark, P.N. Anh Hungarian Academy of £600 Sciences B. Sing Bath J-Y. Lee, KIAS, Seoul; £600 S. Akiyama Niigata, Japan International Short Visits (Scheme 5) C. Good Birmingham P. Oprocha Krakow 510 £ Grants awarded to support visits for collaborative research; visits should be to or from M. Dunajski Cambridge R. Gover Auckland £600 countries where the development of mathematics is poor, e.g. countries within Africa. J. Siemons East Anglia H. Shen Jiao Tong University, £450 Visitor From To Visit Applicant Grant Shanghai J.A. Weideman Stellenbosch, South Africa Oxford L.N. Trefethen £2,100 G. Williams Essex A. Cavicchioli, Modena e Reggio Emilia £460 F. Spaggiari R.T. Curtis Birmingham Western Cape and £1,195 KwaZulu Natal I. Strachan Glasgow M. Blaszak Adam Mickiewicz £600 University, Poznań F. Neumann Leicester Ghana £1,280 W. Staubach Heriot-Watt A. Axelsson Stockholm £585 D. Strauss Hull A.T-M. Lau Alberta, Canada £600 Postgraduate Research Conference Grants (Scheme 8) H. Zheng Imperial Y.K. Kwok Hong Kong University of £600 Grants awarded to support postgraduate research conferences held in the UK. College London Science and Technology Conference Organiser Applicant Grant A. Ivanov Imperial A. Pasini Siena £600 College London Postgraduate Group Theory Conference 2009 B. Wright P. Rowley £3,990 L. Cattaneo Imperial S. Albeverio Bonn £600 20th Postgraduate Combinatorial Conference A. Soleimanfallah S. Blackburn £2,465 College London 2009 A. Lewis Leeds K.M. Ng Victoria University £600 3rd European Postgraduate Fluid Dynamics Z. Jones J. Billingham £2,900 of Wellington Conference

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Support of Joint Research Groups (Scheme 3) continued Collaborative Small Grants (Scheme 4) continued

Topic or Group Grant holder and Institutions Grant Applicant Institution Collaborator Institution Grant Supporters A. Vdovina Newcastle R. Kangaslampi Helsinki £500 UK Harmonic Analysis and J. Bennett, A. Carbery, Birmingham, Edinburgh, £1,050 H. Touchette QMUL E.G.D. Cohen Rockefeller, New York 400 PDE Research Network J. Rodrigo Warwick £ I. Ballai Sheffield R. Oliver Universitat de les Illes £350 Wessex Theory Seminar G. McCusker, Bath, Southampton, £1,400 Balears, Mallorca V. Sassone, L. Ong Oxford B. Nucinkis Southampton C. Martinez-Perez Zaragoza, Spain 600 Yorkshire Durham Geometry C. Wood, J. Bolton, York, Durham, Leeds £1,050 £ Days J. Wood D. Chillingworth Southampton G. De Matteis Centro De Giorgi, Pisa £150 O. Lakkis Sussex A. Demlow Kentucky University £400 Collaborative Small Grants (Scheme 4) Grants awarded to support collaborative research between individual mathematicians; the S. Guillas University S. Dabo-Niang Charles De Gaulle, Lille £600 collaboration is usually for one visit which may take place in the UK or abroad. College London M. Pollicott Warwick M. Tyran-Kaminska Silesia, Poland £600 Applicant Institution Collaborator Institution Grant P. Busch York H-J. Schmidt Osnabruck £600 V.C. Mavron Aberystwyth J.D. Key Western Cape, South 580 £ 11 Africa V. Gould York L. Mark, P.N. Anh Hungarian Academy of £600 Sciences B. Sing Bath J-Y. Lee, KIAS, Seoul; £600 S. Akiyama Niigata, Japan International Short Visits (Scheme 5) C. Good Birmingham P. Oprocha Krakow 510 £ Grants awarded to support visits for collaborative research; visits should be to or from M. Dunajski Cambridge R. Gover Auckland £600 countries where the development of mathematics is poor, e.g. countries within Africa. J. Siemons East Anglia H. Shen Jiao Tong University, £450 Visitor From To Visit Applicant Grant Shanghai J.A. Weideman Stellenbosch, South Africa Oxford L.N. Trefethen £2,100 G. Williams Essex A. Cavicchioli, Modena e Reggio Emilia £460 F. Spaggiari R.T. Curtis Birmingham Western Cape and £1,195 KwaZulu Natal I. Strachan Glasgow M. Blaszak Adam Mickiewicz £600 University, Poznań F. Neumann Leicester Ghana £1,280 W. Staubach Heriot-Watt A. Axelsson Stockholm £585 D. Strauss Hull A.T-M. Lau Alberta, Canada £600 Postgraduate Research Conference Grants (Scheme 8) H. Zheng Imperial Y.K. Kwok Hong Kong University of £600 Grants awarded to support postgraduate research conferences held in the UK. College London Science and Technology Conference Organiser Applicant Grant A. Ivanov Imperial A. Pasini Siena £600 College London Postgraduate Group Theory Conference 2009 B. Wright P. Rowley £3,990 L. Cattaneo Imperial S. Albeverio Bonn £600 20th Postgraduate Combinatorial Conference A. Soleimanfallah S. Blackburn £2,465 College London 2009 A. Lewis Leeds K.M. Ng Victoria University £600 3rd European Postgraduate Fluid Dynamics Z. Jones J. Billingham £2,900 of Wellington Conference

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MATHEMATICS POLICY ROUND-UP

A-level and Scottish Highers results 2009 This year’s mathematics A-level results continued the trend of the last few years, with entries increasing significantly. A-level mathematics entries rose over 12% to 72,475 with 82% of students achieving grade A–C. At AS-level, mathematics entries increased by 22% to 103,312 with 64.1% achieving A–C grades. Further mathematics entries also continued to increase, rising 15% to 10,473. Of these, 90% achieved grade A–C. Mathemat- ics remained the second most popular A-level subject, behind English, and entry figures are now well above those before the crisis in 2001/02, on the introduction of Curriculum 2000, when entries dropped 20% in a single 12 year. At this rate, entries now seem to be well on track to meet the DCSF target of 80,000 by 2014. Other ‘traditional’ subjects also saw rises in entries, in particular physics, where almost 5% more students sat the A-level this year than last. Meanwhile, Scottish Highers mathematics entries dropped marginally from 19,636 to 19,631 with 69.7% passing with grades A–C. At Advanced Highers, entries in mathematics have continued a rising trend with a 10% increase to 3,027. This firmly places mathematics as the most popular subject in the Advanced Highers category.

GCSE and Standard Grade results 2009 For the first time in 12 years, boys -outper formed girls in GCSE mathematics, coincid- ing with coursework being dropped two years ago. Entries into GCSE maths were up 2.2% (to 754,738) this year, despite an overall decrease in GCSE entries due to a smaller cohort of 16 year olds. This surge in entries is the result of a sharp increase of 84.5% in the number of entries from candidates aged 15 and below. Performance in maths has also increased at grades A*–C, up 0.9% to 57.2%. Boys achieved slightly more grades A*–C

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MATHEMATICS POLICY ROUND-UP

A-level and Scottish Highers results 2009 at 57.6%, compared to 56.8% of girls. This year’s mathematics A-level results con- In Scotland, Standard Grade entries in tinued the trend of the last few years, with mathematics continued in a downward trend entries increasing significantly. A-level math- decreasing by 8.2% (to 46,779) with 58.6% ematics entries rose over 12% to 72,475 with of candidates achieving grades 1–3. The 82% of students achieving grade A–C. At decrease in entries to mathematics reflects a AS-level, mathematics entries increased by drop of 7.3% in entries to Standard Grade in 22% to 103,312 with 64.1% achieving A–C general. grades. Further mathematics entries also con- Arjun Chandel tinued to increase, rising 15% to 10,473. Of Data Analyst these, 90% achieved grade A–C. Mathemat- ics remained the second most popular A-level Lords ponder research funding priorities subject, behind English, and entry figures The House of Lords Science and Technology are now well above those before the crisis in Committee called for evidence for a new in- 2001/02, on the introduction of Curriculum quiry into the question of setting science and 2000, when entries dropped 20% in a single technology research funding priorities. The year. At this rate, entries now seem to be well peers are concerned that, with cuts in pub- 13 on track to meet the DCSF target of 80,000 lic spending due to the current economic cli- by 2014. Other ‘traditional’ subjects also saw mate, there must be “an effective mechanism rises in entries, in particular physics, where for allocating funds if the UK’s science base is almost 5% more students sat the A-level this to remain healthy both now and in the future year than last. and is to continue to contribute to meeting Meanwhile, Scottish Highers mathematics societal needs”. In particular, the Commit- entries dropped marginally from 19,636 to tee will examine “the balance of funding for 19,631 with 69.7% passing with grades A–C. targeted versus unsolicited response-mode, At Advanced Highers, entries in mathemat- curiosity-driven research”, and will look at ics have continued a rising trend with a 10% the Funding Councils and government de- increase to 3,027. This firmly places math- partmental research and development. The ematics as the most popular subject in the Council for the Mathematical Sciences has Advanced Highers category. been considering submitting evidence to the enquiry. The deadline for evidence was GCSE and Standard Grade results 2009 25 September 2009 and progress of the in- For the first time in 12 years, boys -outper quiry can be followed at www.parliament.uk/ formed girls in GCSE mathematics, coincid- parliamentary_committees/lords_s_t_select/ ing with coursework being dropped two funding.cfm. years ago. Entries into GCSE maths were up 2.2% (to 754,738) this year, despite an over- Students of mathematics and computer all decrease in GCSE entries due to a smaller science spend the most cohort of 16 year olds. This surge in entries Research by the National Union of Students is the result of a sharp increase of 84.5% in with the HSBC bank revealed that mathe- the number of entries from candidates aged matical sciences and computer science under- 15 and below. Performance in maths has also graduate students spend more on books and increased at grades A*–C, up 0.9% to 57.2%. equipment than those in other disciplines. Boys achieved slightly more grades A*–C The NUS calculated that these students spend

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an average £1,430.40 per year, compared to to ensure that policy statements which have question of whether first-class honours a mere £432.48 for students of education already been published are brought to the degrees achieved at different universities who pay the least. Medical and dental stu- attention of those campaigning for office. indicate the same or different intellectual dents spend an average of £902.16 on these The MPU is also working with the Campaign standards.” It said that provision and edu- items. The NUS president Wes Streeting said, for Science and Engineering (CaSE) whose cation of STEM graduates was an important “Many students preparing to go to university election plans include preparing an election issue, calling on Government to “ensure that this summer may be in for a real shock. Uni- document on the common issues which all any new places funded in higher education versities need to be much more open about STEM (science, technology, engineering and institutions meet the strategic needs of the the hidden costs associated with different mathematics) disciplines will face in the UK country for STEM graduates.” The report courses.” over the next five years. went on to call for an investigation into master’s level students and the admission Prisoner of Polygonia Further Mathematics Support Programme of international students. To see the report The Royal Institution hosted the premier of The Further Mathematics Network came to visit www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/ a new mathematics-based comedy play for a close on 31 July, after another impressive cmdius.htm. primary school children. Set in the land of increase in candidates sitting A- and AS-level Polygonia, where Maths is the official lan- Further Mathematics. However, the Govern- Data analyst guage, Rhombus the Maths Wizard is falsely ment has pledged to continue support- Arjun Chandel has been working in the Coun- imprisoned on the orders of Queen Parabola. ing its work, so from 1 August the Network cil and Committees Group over the summer, 14 Data, a ten-year old girl, is the only witness. became the Further Mathematics Support collecting and organising data on mathemat- Before she can help him she must learn to Programme. The FMSP will continue to be ics education. Arjun has recently graduated speak the language of Maths – and work funded by the Department for Schools, from Royal Holloway, University of London out why the Queen hates anyone who tries Children and Families and managed through with a degree in mathematics. Arjun worked to make Maths exciting. The audience has to the MEI (Mathematics in Education and on gathering and organising this year’s help Data to solve the puzzles along the way Industry). It will carry on its current work, A-level and GCSE results data (and Scottish in time to save Rhombus. The play is writ- enabling students in all UK schools to study equivalents) as reported above, as well as ten by Rob Eastaway, who runs the Maths Further Mathematics as well as extending to updating the MPU’s data on mathematical Inspiration days for schoolchildren aged 15 work with the NCETM (National Centre for sciences undergraduate numbers. The MPU to 17, and a colleague; they hope that Local Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics) to thanks Arjun for his hard work and wishes Authorities will sponsor performances of the provide professional development for teach- him well in his future career. play in local theatres. ers of Further Mathematics, and support for Caroline Davis the teaching and learning of Level 3 mathe- Mathematics Policy and Promotion Officer General Election planning matics within diplomas. Since 2005, when the The LMS–IMA Mathematics Promotion Unit FMN began, the number of entries to Further (MPU) has been considering how the socie- Mathematics A-level has doubled. Entries to ALAN TURING ties should engage with the forthcoming AS-level Further Mathematics have tripled. general election campaign to ensure that the Members may like to know about the peti- interests of the mathematical sciences are IUSS on Students and Universities tion to the Prime Minister organised by John promoted. The next general election is due At the beginning of August, the House of Graham-Cumming that reads: sometime before June 2010 and, following Commons Innovation, Universities, Science ‘We the undersigned petition the Prime expenses scandals and changing support for and Skills committee published a report Minister to apologize for the prosecution of political parties, it is expected that many new Students and Universities examining under- Alan Turing that led to his untimely death.’ MPs will be entering Parliament for the first graduate students’ experiences at universi- For details and to sign the petition go to time when the next government is elected. ties. It found widely varying standards across http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/turing. The MPU is planning to work with the Coun- the UK, saying “It is unacceptable to the Note added in proof: Gordon Brown has responded cil for the Mathematical Sciences and the Ad- Committee that Vice-Chancellors could not positively to the petition in an article in the Daily visory Committee on Mathematics Education give a straightforward answer to the simple Telegraph on 11 September – Ed.

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to ensure that policy statements which have question of whether first-class honours MENTORING AFRICAN already been published are brought to the degrees achieved at different universities attention of those campaigning for office. indicate the same or different intellectual RESEARCH IN MATHEMATICS The MPU is also working with the Campaign standards.” It said that provision and edu- Mentoring African Research in Mathematics for Science and Engineering (CaSE) whose cation of STEM graduates was an important (MARM) is a cooperative programme designed election plans include preparing an election issue, calling on Government to “ensure that to support mathematics research and advanced document on the common issues which all any new places funded in higher education teaching in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. It STEM (science, technology, engineering and institutions meet the strategic needs of the is run jointly by the London Mathematical Society, mathematics) disciplines will face in the UK country for STEM graduates.” The report the IMU, the African Mathematics Millennium over the next five years. went on to call for an investigation into Science Initiative (AMMSI) and the International master’s level students and the admission Centre for Mathematical Sciences (ICMS); it is sup- Further Mathematics Support Programme of international students. To see the report ported by grants awarded by the Nuffield Foun- The Further Mathematics Network came to visit www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/ dation and the Leverhulme Trust. a close on 31 July, after another impressive cmdius.htm. The MARM programme sponsors research increase in candidates sitting A- and AS-level partnerships between mathematicians in the Further Mathematics. However, the Govern- Data analyst more developed countries and African colleagues ment has pledged to continue support- Arjun Chandel has been working in the Coun- and their students. Its goal is to counter the math- ing its work, so from 1 August the Network cil and Committees Group over the summer, ematics ‘brain-drain’ from sub-Saharan Africa by became the Further Mathematics Support collecting and organising data on mathemat- supporting the work of qualified mathematics 15 Programme. The FMSP will continue to be ics education. Arjun has recently graduated professionals in situ. Working in consultation funded by the Department for Schools, from Royal Holloway, University of London with all parties, MARM establishes longer-term Children and Families and managed through with a degree in mathematics. Arjun worked mentoring relations between individual math- the MEI (Mathematics in Education and on gathering and organising this year’s ematicians and students, creating joint research Industry). It will carry on its current work, A-level and GCSE results data (and Scottish partnerships between mathematicians working enabling students in all UK schools to study equivalents) as reported above, as well as in established research centres, their colleagues Further Mathematics as well as extending to updating the MPU’s data on mathematical in sub-Saharan Africa, and doctoral students of work with the NCETM (National Centre for sciences undergraduate numbers. The MPU those colleagues. Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics) to thanks Arjun for his hard work and wishes The scheme has now been in operation for provide professional development for teach- him well in his future career. three years; three rounds of proposals have been ers of Further Mathematics, and support for Caroline Davis considered, and nine mentoring partnerships the teaching and learning of Level 3 mathe- Mathematics Policy and Promotion Officer have been set up. Details of the Scheme and the matics within diplomas. Since 2005, when the existing projects can be found at www.lms.ac.uk/ FMN began, the number of entries to Further grants/MARM.html. Mathematics A-level has doubled. Entries to ALAN TURING New partnerships are still being sought. AS-level Further Mathematics have tripled. Mathematicians from the more developed Members may like to know about the peti- countries who may wish to become mentors IUSS on Students and Universities tion to the Prime Minister organised by John should contact the Scheme Facilitator, Dave At the beginning of August, the House of Graham-Cumming that reads: Johnson ([email protected]); Commons Innovation, Universities, Science ‘We the undersigned petition the Prime African universities and mathematicians in- and Skills committee published a report Minister to apologize for the prosecution of terested in taking part should contact the Students and Universities examining under- Alan Turing that led to his untimely death.’ AMMSI Programme Director, Wandera Ogana graduate students’ experiences at universi- For details and to sign the petition go to ([email protected]). The third call has just ties. It found widely varying standards across http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/turing. closed but the Board managing MARM is keen to the UK, saying “It is unacceptable to the Note added in proof: Gordon Brown has responded establish more partnerships and is leaving the call Committee that Vice-Chancellors could not positively to the petition in an article in the Daily open, without a defined closing date. Those inter- give a straightforward answer to the simple Telegraph on 11 September – Ed. ested should make contact as soon as possible.

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NEWS FROM THE IMU (TIFR), Mumbai, too had a regular stream of ICMI visitors almost from its inception in 1945, many A new website for ICMI (International Com- International Congress of Mathematicians 2010 of them spending extended periods of time mission on Mathematical Instruction) has As readers will know, India is to host the 2010 in Mumbai. Carl Ludwig Siegel and Laurent been opened at www.mathunion.org/icmi. International Congress (ICM 2010) in the city Schwarz made several visits each of a duration The site will house the ICMI Digital Library, of Hyderabad from 19 to 27 August 2010. of two months and more during the fifties where various documents related to ICMI, Mathematics is the language of science and and sixties. Armand Borel and David Mumford including the ICMI Study volumes and ICME India is proud to have coined one of the most made several visits to TIFR during the sixties Proceedings, will be freely downloadable. important words of its lexicon – ‘zero’ – in the and seventies (and later). The visitors’ list to The ICMI Executive Committee also wishes distant past; and we have a long tradition of TIFR includes several Fields Medallists and the site to serve as a portal to various sources pursuit of mathematics. India joined the IMU other renowned mathematicians. The Interna- of information on the teaching and learning soon after it was revived after the Second tional Colloquia held once in every four years of mathematics in all parts of the world. World War. The Indian mathematical com- by TIFR have been an important forum for in- munity feels greatly honoured that the IMU ternational exchange at the highest level. Shaw Prize has accepted our bid to hold the ICM 2010 in To mention a few more distinguished visitors The Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences India, thereby extending recognition to our who spent extended periods of time at TIFR 2009 is awarded in equal shares to Simon efforts at promoting mathematics. We look during the fifties and sixties: H. Rademacher, K. Donaldson (former IMU EC member) and forward to welcoming our colleagues from all H. Mass, M. Eichler, J-L. Lions, K. Yosida, Clifford H. Taubes for their many brilliant 16 over the world in Hyderabad, the venue of the B. Malgrange, F. Bruhat, J.P. Kahane, M. Deuring, contributions to geometry in 3 and 4 dimen- Congress, and expect to learn a great deal that G. de Rham, K. Ito, G.D. Mostow, R. Bott and sions. Please refer to the following link for is new. The Congress will be of great help to R. Langlands. Many others have come on details: www.shawprize.org/en/shawprize/ us to raise the level of public awareness about shorter visits mainly to participate in confer- announcement/announcement.html. mathematics in our country. ences: A. Selberg, H. Grauert, R. Thom, A. The above items are taken from the 36th issue of the India has been a professional destination for Grothendieck, M.F. Atiyah, L. Hörmander, IMU electronic newsletter IMU Net (see www.mathunion. many mathematicians over the last 75 years J. Milnor, I. Pjatetskii-Shapiro, J-P. Serre, org/IMU-Net). and more. Many British academics had come H. Furstenberg, G.A. Margulis, D. Kazdan. to India to teach mathematics in our colleges These visits were of course of great help to us LIQUID CRYSTAL THEORY during the colonial period. W.H. Young, the in building mathematics in the country. British analyst, accepted a part-time chair, the The Congress venue Hyderabad is home to AND MODELLING Hardinge Professorship of Pure Mathematics several IT companies and rivals Bangalore as A discussion meeting on Liquid Crystal in Calcutta University, which he held 1913–17. an IT hub in the country. The city is well con- Theory and Modelling will take place from André Weil spent two years at an Indian univer- nected, with many airlines flying to and from 29 to 30 October 2009 at St Anne’s College, sity as a professor during 1930–32. it. It was founded in the 15th century and University of Oxford. The field of liquid R.A. Fisher spent several extended periods is steeped in history. It is also famous for its crystal research has grown substantially in of time at the Indian Statistical Institute in cuisine. India of course has a lot to offer by the last two decades due to the booming Kolkata (ISI), his first visit dating back to 1937. way of tourism catering to a wide range of liquid crystal display industry, new mate- ISI also hosted visits by Norbert Wiener and interests: wild life, scenic splendour, historical rial technologies and the discovery of novel A.N. Kolmogorov. Many other distinguished monuments, art and music, great food and liquid crystalline systems. This meeting will mathematicians, mainly probabilists from the sports as well. bring together some of the pioneers in erstwhile Soviet block, visited ISI during the On behalf of the Indian mathematical com- the mathematical theory of liquid crystals cold war years. In later years, after that institu- munity I would like to urge mathematicians and experts in current liquid crystal mate- tion set up branches in Delhi and Bangalore from all over the world to participate in ICM rial science. The format will be a two-day while at the same time also broadening its 2010 and help us make it a great success. For discussion meeting consisting of six themed areas of research, it has had a string of visitors, more information see www.icm2010.org.in. sessions: three sessions focussing on the many of them big names in mathematics. M.S. Raghunathan mathematical modelling and the theoretical The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Chairman of the organizing committee foundations of liquid crystals; one session

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(TIFR), Mumbai, too had a regular stream of ICMI on the numerical simulation of liquid visitors almost from its inception in 1945, many A new website for ICMI (International Com- crystalline systems; one session on mathe- of them spending extended periods of time mission on Mathematical Instruction) has matical theories for related areas such as in Mumbai. Carl Ludwig Siegel and Laurent been opened at www.mathunion.org/icmi. colloids and biological materials; and one Schwarz made several visits each of a duration The site will house the ICMI Digital Library, session on liquid crystal applications in of two months and more during the fifties where various documents related to ICMI, industry. and sixties. Armand Borel and David Mumford including the ICMI Study volumes and ICME Each session will be initiated by a key- made several visits to TIFR during the sixties Proceedings, will be freely downloadable. note speaker followed by invited talks from and seventies (and later). The visitors’ list to The ICMI Executive Committee also wishes other academic/industrial researchers and TIFR includes several Fields Medallists and the site to serve as a portal to various sources concluding with a general discussion of other renowned mathematicians. The Interna- of information on the teaching and learning future prospects. The meeting will be open tional Colloquia held once in every four years of mathematics in all parts of the world. to all researchers by nomination and will by TIFR have been an important forum for in- include a poster session for non-presenting ternational exchange at the highest level. Shaw Prize participants. Keynote speakers are: To mention a few more distinguished visitors The Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences • Chun Liu (Penn State University) who spent extended periods of time at TIFR 2009 is awarded in equal shares to Simon • Alejandro Rey (McGill University) during the fifties and sixties: H. Rademacher, K. Donaldson (former IMU EC member) and • Iain Stewart (University of Strathclyde) H. Mass, M. Eichler, J-L. Lions, K. Yosida, Clifford H. Taubes for their many brilliant • Eugene Terentjev (University of Cambridge) B. Malgrange, F. Bruhat, J.P. Kahane, M. Deuring, contributions to geometry in 3 and 4 dimen- • Epifanio Virga (University of Pavia) 17 G. de Rham, K. Ito, G.D. Mostow, R. Bott and sions. Please refer to the following link for • Slobodan Zumer (University of Ljubljana) R. Langlands. Many others have come on details: www.shawprize.org/en/shawprize/ shorter visits mainly to participate in confer- announcement/announcement.html. Invited speakers are: ences: A. Selberg, H. Grauert, R. Thom, A. • Paolo Biscari (University of Milan) The above items are taken from the 36th issue of the • Fulvio Bisi (University of Pavia) Grothendieck, M.F. Atiyah, L. Hörmander, IMU electronic newsletter IMU Net (see www.mathunion. J. Milnor, I. Pjatetskii-Shapiro, J-P. Serre, org/IMU-Net). • Carme Calderer (University of Minnesota) H. Furstenberg, G.A. Margulis, D. Kazdan. • Doug Cleaver (Sheffield Hallam University) These visits were of course of great help to us LIQUID CRYSTAL THEORY • Sally Day ( University College London) in building mathematics in the country. • Apala Majumdar (University of Oxford) The Congress venue Hyderabad is home to AND MODELLING • Nigel Mottram (University of Strathclyde) several IT companies and rivals Bangalore as A discussion meeting on Liquid Crystal • Chris Newton (Hewlett-Packard Labs, Bristol) an IT hub in the country. The city is well con- Theory and Modelling will take place from • Lesley Parry-Jones (Sharp Labs, Oxford) nected, with many airlines flying to and from 29 to 30 October 2009 at St Anne’s College, • Jonathan Robbins (University of Bristol) it. It was founded in the 15th century and University of Oxford. The field of liquid • Tim Sluckin (University of Southampton) is steeped in history. It is also famous for its crystal research has grown substantially in • Andre Sonnet (University of Strathclyde) cuisine. India of course has a lot to offer by the last two decades due to the booming • Mark Wilson (University of Durham) way of tourism catering to a wide range of liquid crystal display industry, new mate- • Julia Yeomans (University of Oxford) interests: wild life, scenic splendour, historical rial technologies and the discovery of novel • Claudio Zannoni (University of Bologna) monuments, art and music, great food and liquid crystalline systems. This meeting will There will be a limited number of bursaries sports as well. bring together some of the pioneers in for graduate students. For further informa- On behalf of the Indian mathematical com- the mathematical theory of liquid crystals tion, visit the website at www.maths.ox.ac.uk/ munity I would like to urge mathematicians and experts in current liquid crystal mate- events/liquid-crystal-workshop or contact Dr from all over the world to participate in ICM rial science. The format will be a two-day Apala Majumdar ([email protected]) 2010 and help us make it a great success. For discussion meeting consisting of six themed or Professor Nigel Mottram (nigel.mottram@ more information see www.icm2010.org.in. sessions: three sessions focussing on the strath.ac.uk). This meeting is supported by M.S. Raghunathan mathematical modelling and the theoretical the Oxford Centre for Collaborative Applied Chairman of the organizing committee foundations of liquid crystals; one session Mathematics and an LMS Conference grant.

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SCHLUMBERGER THE FIELDS INSTITUTE

FOUNDATION The Fields Institute is named after the Cana- Call for Applications dian mathematician John Charles Fields (1863–1932). The mission of the Institute, The Schlumberger Foundation 2010 Faculty founded in 1992, is to enhance mathemati- for the Future fellowships are awarded to cal activity in Canada by bringing together women from developing and emerging econo- mathematicians from Canada and abroad, mies who are preparing for PhD postdoctoral and by promoting contact and collaboration study in the physical sciences, engineering and between professional mathematicians and related disciplines (biological sciences awards the increasing numbers of users of mathe- are limited) to pursue advanced graduate study matics. Thus the Institute supports research in abroad at top universities in their disciplines. pure and applied mathematics, statistics and Launched by the Schlumberger Foundation computer science, as well as collaboration in 2004, Faculty for the Future has grown to between mathematicians and those applying become a community of 110 women from mathematics in areas such as engineering, 35 countries. The long-term goal of the pro- the physical and biological sciences, medi- gramme is to generate conditions that result cine, economics and finance, telecommunica- 18 in more women pursuing scientific disciplines. tions and information systems. The following Grant recipients are therefore selected as major programmes are scheduled: much for their leadership capabilities as their • Foundations of Computational Mathematics scientific talents and they are expected to re- (July – December 2009) turn to their home countries to continue their • Quantitative Finance: Foundations and academic careers and inspire other young Applications (January – June 2010) women. • Mathematics of Drug Resistance in Infectious Faculty for the Future grants are in the Diseases (Summer 2010) range of US$25,000 to US$50,000 per year, • Asymptotic Geometric Analysis and may be renewed through to comple- (July – December, 2010) tion of studies subject to performance, self- • Dynamics and Transport in Disordered evaluation, and recommendations from Systems (January – June 2011) supervisors. The amount of the grant depends • Discrete Geometry and Applications LMS SOUTH WEST AND SOUTH WALES REGIONAL MEETING on the actual costs of study and living in the (July – December 2011) chosen location. • Galois Representations (January – June 2012) Report Candidates have from 5 October to 30 Visit www.fields.utoronto.ca/programs/scientific The London Mathematical Society held November 2009 to apply for the Faculty for the for links to these and the many other up- its South West and South Wales Regional Future fellowships. They should be enrolled or coming workshops, conferences, etc. The Meeting 2009 on 15 July 2009 at the Uni- applying to their selected graduate schools Fields Institute environment is designed to versity of Southampton. It was opened by when submitting their Faculty for the Future support and enhance activities. Office space the LMS Programme Secretary Dr Stephen grant request. Candidates must have a proven is provided for as many as 66 visitors; a sup- Huggett. track record of teaching experience, demon- portive staff enables program participants The meeting (attended by about 50 strate active participation in faculty life and to devote most of their energies to research; participants) brought together many of outreach to encourage young women into the and full access to the excellent mathematics the leading experts in the field of Limit sciences and hold an excellent academic record. collection at the University of Toronto is pro- Groups. This subject arose from Professor Further information about the fellowship vided. To be informed of upcoming Scientific Zlil Sela’s groundbreaking and beautiful programme and the online application form Activities subscribe to the mailing list at www. solution of the Tarski conjecture concern- can be found at www.foundation.slb.com/fftf. fields.utoronto.ca/maillist. ing the elementary theory of free groups,

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THE FIELDS INSTITUTE

The Fields Institute is named after the Cana- RECORDS OF PROCEEDINGS dian mathematician John Charles Fields (1863–1932). The mission of the Institute, AT MEETINGS founded in 1992, is to enhance mathematical activity in Canada by bringing together REGIONAL ORDINARY MEETING mathematicians from Canada and abroad, and by promoting contact and collaboration held on 15 July 2009 at the University of Southampton. Around 50 members and between professional mathematicians and visitors were present for all or part of the meeting. The meeting began at 1.30 pm, the increasing numbers of users of mathe- with the Programme Secretary, Dr S.A. HUGGETT, in the Chair. matics. Thus the Institute supports research in pure and applied mathematics, statistics and One member signed the book and was admitted to the Society. computer science, as well as collaboration between mathematicians and those applying Dr B. NUCINKIS introduced a lecture given by Professor Jim Howie on Finitely mathematics in areas such as engineering, presented residually free groups. the physical and biological sciences, medi- After tea, Dr Nucinkis introduced a lecture given by Dr Cornelia Druţu on Geometry cine, economics and finance, telecommunica- and quasi-isometric rigidity of relatively hyperbolic groups. tions and information systems. The following 19 major programmes are scheduled: Dr Nucinkis then introduced a lecture given by Professor Zlil Sela on Around the first • Foundations of Computational Mathematics order theory of a free group. (July – December 2009) The Chair expressed the thanks of the Society to the local organisers and the speakers • Quantitative Finance: Foundations and for putting on such an excellent meeting. Applications (January – June 2010) • Mathematics of Drug Resistance in Infectious After the meeting there was a reception hosted by Oxford University Press, followed Diseases (Summer 2010) by dinner at a local restaurant. • Asymptotic Geometric Analysis (July – December, 2010) • Dynamics and Transport in Disordered Systems (January – June 2011) • Discrete Geometry and Applications LMS SOUTH WEST AND SOUTH WALES REGIONAL MEETING (July – December 2011) • Galois Representations (January – June 2012) Report Visit www.fields.utoronto.ca/programs/scientific The London Mathematical Society held which brought together logic, geom- for links to these and the many other up- its South West and South Wales Regional etry, and algebra in a startling synthesis. coming workshops, conferences, etc. The Meeting 2009 on 15 July 2009 at the Uni- The meeting was delighted to welcome Fields Institute environment is designed to versity of Southampton. It was opened by Professor Sela and his fellow speakers Dr support and enhance activities. Office space the LMS Programme Secretary Dr Stephen Cornelia Druţu and Professor Jim Howie to is provided for as many as 66 visitors; a sup- Huggett. outline new progress in the field, demon- portive staff enables program participants The meeting (attended by about 50 strating the vitality of the area. to devote most of their energies to research; participants) brought together many of The meeting started with Professor Howie’s and full access to the excellent mathematics the leading experts in the field of Limit lecture on Finitely presented residually collection at the University of Toronto is pro- Groups. This subject arose from Professor free groups, which play a central role in vided. To be informed of upcoming Scientific Zlil Sela’s groundbreaking and beautiful Sela’s theory, and was then privileged Activities subscribe to the mailing list at www. solution of the Tarski conjecture concern- to welcome the newest Whitehead Prize fields.utoronto.ca/maillist. ing the elementary theory of free groups, winner, Dr Cornelia Druţu, who spoke on

October09-NL-143C.indd 19 21/09/2009 11:19:15 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER

Geometry and quasi-isometric rigidity of REVIEWS paint a picture of the Congress. Numbers of relatively hyperbolic groups. After Professor mathematicians attending, together with Sela took us on a tour Around the first Mathematicians of the World, Unite! The their nationalities, show how the series of order theory of a free group, we enjoyed ICM – A Human Endeavour by Guillermo P. Congresses developed. a reception generously funded by the Curbera, A.K. Peters, 2009, 344 pp, £42.50, Relatively little information is given about Oxford University Press and attended by $59.00, ISBN 978-1-56881-330-1. the mathematical content of the Congresses many of the participants. The International Congresses of Math- but the names of the plenary Following the LMS day we enjoyed two ematicians began with the 1897 Zürich speakers, with titles of their further days of lectures on the topic of Congress. From that time on, the Con- talks, are given as are the limit groups started by an introductory gresses have taken place approximately at mathematical sections into talk given by Henry Wilton, and with lec- four-year intervals except for periods dur- which each Congress was di- tures by Professors Dahmani, Guiradel, ing World War I and World War II when no vided, and this information Kochloukova, Levitt, Minasyan and Bridson. Congresses took place. In total twenty-five gives an indication of the We also took the opportunity to host Congresses have been held, the most recent changing trends in math- a dinner in honour of Professor Martin being in Madrid in 2006. The book under ematical research. Between Dunwoody, who did so much to establish review looks at each of these twenty-five the chapters on the individ- the UK as a centre for geometric group Congresses, particularly examining their ual congresses, ‘Interludes’ theory. Jim Howie gave the toast and social sides. The Congresses are divided into are included. ‘Images of the 20 Professor Dunwoody’s reply was deliv- five sections: The Origins, Crisis in the Inter- ICM’ looks at logos, stamps ered with his characteristic diffidence and war Period, The Golden Era, On the Road and posters associated with great humour. and In a Global World. Each section has a the Congresses. ‘Awards Graham Niblo short introduction which explains to the of the ICM’ relates the University of Southampton reader some of the difficulties which have history of the Fields Medal, the Nevanlinna been experienced Prize and the Gauss Prize. ‘Buildings of the by the Congresses ICM’ contains excellent pictures of many of as they tried to rise the buildings in which the congresses took above the many place. ‘Social Life at the ICM’ is the longest political pressures and most important interlude in which the and tensions which author examines how successful the Con- were inevitable gresses have been in carrying out the aim given their world- set out at the 1897 Congress, namely to wide nature. The ‘foster personal relations between mathe- atmosphere at maticians of different countries’. each Congress is The pictures from over 100 years of Con- brought to life gresses form a special feature of the book. with many excel- These include Jacques Hadamard showing a lent pictures. Quo- bit of his striped underwear while sitting on tations from the the beach at Ravenna during the 1928 Con- opening address, gress, a rare picture of G.H. Hardy on a boat details of music on Lake Zürich during the 1932 Congress, played, descrip- and Élie Cartan on a boat on Oslo’s fjord dur- tions of the building the 1936 Congress. The pictures succeed First date with a logician ings in which the in bringing the Congresses to life and em- Congress was held, phasise that the interactions of participants © Sidney Harris and details of exhi- are the most important feature of these bitions all help to meetings. The book will bring back many

October09-NL-143C.indd 20 21/09/2009 11:19:17 No. 385 October 2009

REVIEWS paint a picture of the Congress. Numbers of memories for those who have attended the mathematicians attending, together with more recent congresses and will give those Mathematicians of the World, Unite! The their nationalities, show how the series of who have not attended an understanding of ICM – A Human Endeavour by Guillermo P. Congresses developed. what they have missed. Curbera, A.K. Peters, 2009, 344 pp, £42.50, Relatively little information is given about Edmund Robertson $59.00, ISBN 978-1-56881-330-1. the mathematical content of the Congresses St Andrews University The International Congresses of Math- but the names of the plenary ematicians began with the 1897 Zürich speakers, with titles of their Congress. From that time on, the Con- talks, are given as are the gresses have taken place approximately at mathematical sections into four-year intervals except for periods dur- which each Congress was di- ing World War I and World War II when no vided, and this information Congresses took place. In total twenty-five gives an indication of the Congresses have been held, the most recent changing trends in math- being in Madrid in 2006. The book under ematical research. Between review looks at each of these twenty-five the chapters on the individ- Congresses, particularly examining their ual congresses, ‘Interludes’ social sides. The Congresses are divided into are included. ‘Images of the five sections: The Origins, Crisis in the Inter- ICM’ looks at logos, stamps 21 war Period, The Golden Era, On the Road and posters associated with and In a Global World. Each section has a the Congresses. ‘Awards short introduction which explains to the of the ICM’ relates the reader some of the difficulties which have history of the Fields Medal, the Nevanlinna The Mathematical Mechanic – Using Physical been experienced Prize and the Gauss Prize. ‘Buildings of the Reasoning to Solve Problems by Mark Levi, by the Congresses ICM’ contains excellent pictures of many of Princeton University Press, 2009, 196 pp, as they tried to rise the buildings in which the congresses took £13.95, $19.95, ISBN 978-0-69114-020-9. above the many place. ‘Social Life at the ICM’ is the longest This is a most interesting book. It has its political pressures and most important interlude in which the origins in a friendly argument with a school and tensions which author examines how successful the Con- friend who had ‘majored’ in physics, concern- were inevitable gresses have been in carrying out the aim ing the relative importance of the two sub- given their world- set out at the 1897 Congress, namely to jects. Mark Levi also intended to specialise in wide nature. The ‘foster personal relations between mathe- physics eventually but only after mastering its atmosphere at maticians of different countries’. main tool, mathematics. each Congress is The pictures from over 100 years of Con- Essentially the book is a collection of brought to life gresses form a special feature of the book. examples taken from the physical world with many excel- These include Jacques Hadamard showing a which provide interpretations of mathemati- lent pictures. Quo- bit of his striped underwear while sitting on cal proofs. The author is quite clear that these tations from the the beach at Ravenna during the 1928 Con- examples are not in themselves proofs, but opening address, gress, a rare picture of G.H. Hardy on a boat most applied mathematicians will be famil- details of music on Lake Zürich during the 1932 Congress, iar with the insight that physics or perhaps played, descrip- and Élie Cartan on a boat on Oslo’s fjord dur- biology gives when developing new models. tions of the building the 1936 Congress. The pictures succeed This insight sometimes indicates ways to ings in which the in bringing the Congresses to life and em- approach the construction of proofs of new Congress was held, phasise that the interactions of participants theorems, including on the estimation of and details of exhi- are the most important feature of these bounds etc. which are required to provide bitions all help to meetings. The book will bring back many a robust and reliable solution to a problem

October09-NL-143C.indd 21 21/09/2009 11:19:17 THE LONDON MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER

situation. Anyone who has been involved in this as inventing and collecting physical solu- CALENDAR OF EVENTS process will certainly enjoy reading this book, tions to mathematical problems he collects no doubt with pencil and paper to hand! physical devices which illustrate mathemati- This calendar lists Society meetings and My favourite example concerns saving a cal ideas. One of these is a jigsaw which other events publicised in the Newsletter. drowning swimmer using Fermat’s principle; he uses to demonstrate the stabilisation of Further information can be obtained from the this involves building a mechanical analogue an inverted pendulum using vibration. In appropriate LMS Newsletter whose number of the rescuing lifeguard’s time-optimal strat- this connection his work on Kapitsa poten- is given in brackets. A fuller list of meetings egy as (s)he runs over the beach and swims tials was published in the Society’s journal and events is given on the Society’s website in the sea. The result is that the equivalent Nonlinearity. The book has numerous ref- (www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter/calendar.html). of Snell’s law of refraction emerges. A close erences and an Appendix on the necessary second is the use of a model involving the clo- physical background required. Some of the OCTOBER 2009 sure of a switch in a certain electrical circuit. Chapters have a selection of problems at the 6 A Sense of Balance, Gresham College This serves to reduce resistance from 1 to 0 in end with some hints or solutions. As well Public Lecture, Museum of London (384) a section of the circuit and so by Rayleigh’s as being an interesting book, many of the 21-22 Stochastic Processes at the Quantum monotonicity law (which is proved in the ideas in it could be used as motivational or Level Meeting, Aberystwyth (384) section), the overall resistance is the same or illustrative examples to support the teach- 27 Brilliant-cut Diamonds and other Tricks less. Choosing the circuit appropriately pro- ing of non-specialists, especially physicists of the Light, Gresham College Public Lecture, vides a demonstration that the arithmetic and engineers. Museum of London (384) mean of two positive numbers is not less than In conclusion – a thoroughly enjoyable and 22 27 LIMS Evening Lectures, Bloomsbury their geometric mean. thought-provoking read. Theatre, University College London (384) Mark Levi is professor of mathematics at Nigel Steele 29-30 Liquid Crystal Theory and Modelling Pennsylvania State University and as well Coventry University Discussion Meeting, Oxford (385)

NOVEMBER 2009 5 Mathematical Curiosities and Treasures from Professor Stewart’s Cabinet, Public Lecture, The Royal Society, London (384) 9-11 Dynamics of Outer Planetary Systems Conference, INI, Cambridge (382) 20 LMS AGM, London (385) 24 The Maths of Sorting Things Out, Gresham College Public Lecture, Museum of London (384) 30-10 Dec De Brún Workshop in Computational Algebra, Galway (384)

DECEMBER 2009 1 Forward with Hoare, Joint LMS/BCS–FACS Evening Seminar, Professor Mike Gordon, FRS 4-6 LMS–Belgian Mathematical Society joint meeting, Leuven 8-12 Operators and Operator Algebras Conference, Edinburgh (382)

October09-NL-143C.indd 22 21/09/2009 11:19:18 No. 385 October 2009

as inventing and collecting physical solu- CALENDAR OF EVENTS January 2010 tions to mathematical problems he collects 4-8 Stochastic Partial Differential Equations physical devices which illustrate mathemati- This calendar lists Society meetings and Workshop, INI, Cambridge (383) cal ideas. One of these is a jigsaw which other events publicised in the Newsletter. 11-15 New Topics at the Interface Between he uses to demonstrate the stabilisation of Further information can be obtained from the Probability and Communications Workshop, an inverted pendulum using vibration. In appropriate LMS Newsletter whose number INI, Cambridge (383) this connection his work on Kapitsa poten- is given in brackets. A fuller list of meetings tials was published in the Society’s journal and events is given on the Society’s website 12 Code Breaking in Everyday Life, Gresham Nonlinearity. The book has numerous ref- (www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter/calendar.html). College Public Lecture, Museum of London erences and an Appendix on the necessary (384) physical background required. Some of the OCTOBER 2009 Chapters have a selection of problems at the 6 A Sense of Balance, Gresham College FEBRUARY 2010 end with some hints or solutions. As well Public Lecture, Museum of London (384) 9 Trains and Boats and Planes, Gresham as being an interesting book, many of the 21-22 Stochastic Processes at the Quantum College Public Lecture, Museum of London ideas in it could be used as motivational or Level Meeting, Aberystwyth (384) (384) illustrative examples to support the teach- 27 Brilliant-cut Diamonds and other Tricks ing of non-specialists, especially physicists of the Light, Gresham College Public Lecture, MARCH 2010 and engineers. Museum of London (384) In conclusion – a thoroughly enjoyable and 9 Maths and Sport, Gresham College Public 27 LIMS Evening Lectures, Bloomsbury 23 thought-provoking read. Lecture, Museum of London (384) Theatre, University College London (384) Nigel Steele 29-30 Liquid Crystal Theory and Modelling Coventry University APRIL 2010 Discussion Meeting, Oxford (385) 6-9 BCME7, Manchester (385) NOVEMBER 2009 5 Mathematical Curiosities and Treasures JULY 2010 from Professor Stewart’s Cabinet, Public 2 LMS Meeting, London Lecture, The Royal Society, London (384) 9-11 Dynamics of Outer Planetary Systems AUGUST 2010 Conference, INI, Cambridge (382) 17-18 International Conference of Women 20 LMS AGM, London (385) Mathematicians 2010, Hyderabad, India 24 The Maths of Sorting Things Out, (384) Gresham College Public Lecture, Museum 19-27 International Congress of of London (384) Mathematicians 2010, Hyderabad, India 30-10 Dec De Brún Workshop in Computational Algebra, Galway (384) (382)

DECEMBER 2009 LMS CONFERENCE FACILITIES 1 Forward with Hoare, Joint LMS/BCS–FACS Evening Seminar, Professor Mike Gordon, Organising a conference in central London? FRS Meeting rooms and catering are available 4-6 LMS–Belgian Mathematical Society in De Morgan House. For terms and avail- joint meeting, Leuven ability, please call 020 7927 0800 or email 8-12 Operators and Operator Algebras [email protected]. Conference, Edinburgh (382)

October09-NL-143C.indd 23 21/09/2009 11:19:18 D. MACALISTER LMS member 1879–1883 C. Ferranti, Liverpool

Donald MacAlister, MA and MB Cambridge, BSc London, MRCP, FCPS Member of the Physical Society Fellow of, and Medical Lecturer at, St John’s College, Cambridge Principal, University of Glasgow 1907–29 Appointed KCB 1908, created a Baronet 1924 Honorary doctorates from 13 universities

October09-NL-143C.indd 24 21/09/2009 11:19:19