THE
AND ITS
APPLICATIONS
Effective Mathematics, Effective
Mathematicians
Presidential
Address
by
starting
Abstract
As
is customary for such addresses, this presentation will be in two parts. The
first offers a serendipitous, and hopefully widely accessible, overview of some
of the mathematics and physics that the speaker finds interesting in the
general area of wave dynamics. The second focuses briefly on the many issues
affecting our community and on the effective role that mathematicians, and the
IMA and other learned societies in particular, can play.
The
purpose of the mathematical half of the talk is to indicate a number of recent
developments in, and new ways of thinking about, the subject of wave
propagation through complex (anisotropic and highly inhomogenous)
materials. The essential objective is always to obtain effective wave equations
which encapsulate the underlying complexity in just a few parameters. The talk
meanders (and deviates significantly where necessary) to cover such topics as
waves through bubbly liquids and emulsions, random and quasi-periodic
structures, acoustic and electromagnetic cloaking, and the slowing of light.
As
time allows, the second part will focus on the threats to, and aspirations for,
our community. The former includes the low percentage of school mathematics
teachers holding a first degree in mathematics and the recent closures of
university mathematics departments. One example of the latter is the question
of how the community can better influence and direct government policy in
science.
No charge is made to attend meetings,
non-IMA members are welcome
The event is coordinated by East Midlands Branch
Secretary, Dr Stephen Hibberd,
Details of East Midlands Branch activities: http://www.ima.org.uk/EMidBranch/ima.html.