LONDONLONDON MATHEMATICALMATHEMATICAL SOCIETYSOCIETY NEWSLETTER No. 432 January 2014 Society MeetingsSociety RETIRING MEMBERS OF COUNCIL andMeetings Events AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS and Events GRAEME SEGAL (President) 2014 After serving for two years, Dr introduced electronic voting for Graeme Segal, FRS, handed over elections, which has seen turnout Friday 28 February the LMS Presidency at the AGM more than double. Mary Cartwright in November 2013. Prior to being The past two years have been Lecture, York President, he had served for a challenging period for math- page 27 two years as a Member-at-Large ematical sciences research policy Monday 31 March of Council. Dr Segal is held in in the UK. Dr Segal has led the Northern Regional high esteem across the whole Society in dealing with a range of Meeting, Durham mathematics community and important issues: the introduc- 1 his standing, as well as his sig- tion of open access publishing Tuesday 8 April nificant efforts, have been enor- to which the Society made sig- Society Meeting mously valuable to the Society in nificant policy submissions, the at BMC, London meeting its objectives. issues surrounding impact and page 22 During his tenure as LMS the 2014 REF, the consequences 14–17 April President he has continued the of changes in science funding and Invited Lectures, work of previous presidents university student tuition fees, University of to increase member engage- and the EPSRC Shaping Capabil- East Anglia ment with the Society and to ity agenda. Dr Segal also worked page 28 modernise the way the Society closely with the Education Friday 25 April operates. Under Dr Segal’s presi- Secretary and met with the De- Women in dency attendance at LMS events, partment for Education to secure Mathematics Day, both popular and research, LMS involvement in the adminis- London has risen markedly. Almost 200 tration of mathematics teacher people at the AGM heard Dr training bursaries. Segal’s presidential lecture, Under Dr Segal’s leadership which was considered to be a the Society has sought a more masterly combination of philo- evidence-based approach to its sophical discussion and math- policy business. Data reports on ematical precision. women in mathematics and uni- Dr Segal has been actively versity staff numbers have been involved with, and supported, produced, and this approach will improvements to the LMS inform future LMS policy work. website and he has also been Dr Segal was also keen to ensure NEWSLETTER closely involved in developments that the Society places a strong ONLINE:NEWSLETTER to mark the LMS 150th anniver- emphasis on young and early newsletter.lms.ac.ukONLINE: sary, which takes place in 2015. career mathematicians. Under his newsletter.lms.ac.uk The Society under Dr Segal also leadership, the criteria for mem- cont’d LMSLMS NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk [email protected] No. 432 January 2014 1 bership of the Society were broadened to 2012 European Congress of Mathematicians 50 Personnel Committee. the Society in achieving its charitable aims 50 2 encourage a younger membership, a Scheme in Poland. During his presidency he was also 51 He steps down to pursue other commit- and supporting mathematics more generally. 51 3 for undergraduate research bursaries has very active internationally, representing the 52 ments and the Society would like to place on TOM MELHAM 52 4 been introduced, and further schemes for un- Society at meetings of European Society Presi- 53 record its thanks for his work during this time, (Computer Science Committee) 53 5 dergraduate and early career mathematicians dents and at high-profile awards ceremonies. 54 and wish him well for the future. 54 6 are planned, to help ensure that the next He has taken an active interest in all areas 55 SIMON DONALDSON AND ARI LAPTEV Professor Tom Melham, FRSE, has stepped 55 7 generation of mathematicians are supported of LMS business and has provided the Society 56 down as Chair of the Computer Science (Members-at-large) 56 8 to achieve the best possible future for math- with stable leadership and strong direction. 57 Committee having completed his term of 57 9 ematics. His love of mathematics, ability to explain 58 Professor Sir Simon Donaldson, FRS, and office. He has chaired the Committee since 58 10 Dr Segal has represented the Society with deep ideas in truly transparent ways and his 59 Professor Ari Laptev both stepped down as January 2009, having joined it in January 59 11 enormous distinction, not only in the UK but imagination all played a critical role in his 60 members-at-large of Council at the 2013 AGM. 2005. 60 12 also abroad. He led the LMS delegation to the success in leading the LMS. 61 Council wishes to recognise the service both During his time as Chair he significantly 61 13 The Society would like to thank him for his 62 have given to the Society and to the wider raised the profile of the computer science/ 62 14 LMS Newsletter service and wish him well for the future. At 63 mathematics community. Professor Donaldson mathematics interface within the LMS. Under 63 15 http://newsletter.lms.ac.uk the AGM, Dr Segal handed over the badge of 64 was elected in 2009 and steps down now his leadership the Committee introduced the 64 16 Editorial office: London Mathematical Presidential Office to Professor Terry Lyons. 65 owing to other commitments. His presence annual Computer Science Colloquium, which 65 17 Society, 66 on Council has brought great mathematical has attracted strong speakers and attend- 66 De Morgan House, 57–58 Russell Square, JOHN JONES (Publications Secretary) 18 67 distinction, and his extensive knowledge of ances. He also introduced the Knowledge 67 London WC1B 4HS (t: 020 7637 3686; f: 020 19 7323 3655) Professor John Jones stepped down as LMS 68 the mathematical landscape has been invalu- Transfer Papers programme in collaboration 68 20 Articles: send articles to [email protected] Publications Secretary at the 2013 AGM, 69 able to Programme Committee. His departure with the Smith Institute, and expanded the 69 21 Events calendar: updates and corrections to having served the Society in this role from 70 was marked by a memorable and very well Committee’s Scheme 7 Grants programme to 70 2 22 [email protected] 2009 to 2013. 71 received lecture at the 2013 AGM. reflect the importance placed by the Society 71 3 23 Advertising: for rates and guidelines see Over the past four years, Professor Jones 72 Professor Ari Laptev was first elected to on research in the computer science area. 72 24 www.lms.ac.uk/newsletter/ratecard.html has guided publications business with a 73 Council in 2007 and he leaves Council having As Chair, Professor Melham maintained 73 25 General Editor: Mr A.J.S. Mann pragmatic and prudent approach. He insti- 74 served the maximum time allowed under the strong relationships with groupings within 74 ([email protected]) 26 tuted a long-term review of the Society’s 75 by-laws. Having previously been President the computing science community, in par- 75 Reports Editor: Professor R.A. Wilson 27 strategic approach to its publications activi- 76 of the European Mathematical Society, ticular the Smith Institute, the Academy of 76 ([email protected]) 28 Reviews Editor: Professor D. Singerman ties, culminating in 2012 with the current LMS 77 Professor Laptev brought valuable experi- Computing, BCS-FACS and BCTCS. He also 77 29 ([email protected]) Publication Strategy. He also oversaw the es- 78 ence to the Society’s International Affairs provided a link to the Computer Science 78 30 Administrative Editor: S.M. Oakes tablishment in 2013 of the Transactions of the 79 Committee. Professor Laptev also served on Strategic Advisory Team (SAT) at EPSRC. 79 31 ([email protected]) LMS, the Society's first fully gold open access 80 the Programme Committee. The Society would like to place on record its 80 32 Typeset by the LMS at De Morgan House; journal, and in the same year led the introduc- 81 The LMS thanks them both for the broad thanks to Professor Melham for his years of 81 33 printed by Holbrooks Printers Ltd. tion of free online access to LMS journals for 82 and varied support that they have given to service to the Committee. 82 Publication dates and deadlines: published 34 all members, a significant new membership 83 83 monthly, except August. Items 35 and advertisements by the first day of the benefit for us all. 84 84 36 month prior to publication, or the closest As Publications Secretary, Professor Jones 85 85 37 preceding working day. Notices and advertise- actively sought to improve dialogue between 86 86 ments are not accepted for events that occur 38 editorial advisors, editors and the LMS’ pub- 87 87 in the first week of the publication month. 39 News items and notices in the Newsletter may lishing partners. Of particular note in this 88 88 40 be freely used elsewhere unless otherwise direction was the introduction during his 89 89 41 stated, although attribution is requested tenure of a new online article management 90 90 when reproducing whole articles. Contribu- 42 system. This has greatly improved many of the 91 91 tions to the Newsletter are made under a 43 non-exclusive licence; please contact the processes involved in the submission, review 92 92 44 author or photographer for the rights to re- and publication of articles in the various 93 93 45 produce. The LMS cannot accept responsibility journals managed by the LMS. 94 94 for the accuracy of information in the News- 46 In addition to his work as Publications 95 letter.