THE INSTITUTE OF MATHEMATICS
AND ITS APPLICATIONS

Early Career Mathematicians

Mathematical discoveries, small or great are never born of spontaneous generation. They always presuppose a soil seeded with preliminary knowledge and well prepared by labour, both conscious and subconscious - Henri Poincaré

Background

In 2005, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications formed the Younger Members’ Group (YMG) to promote mathematics to younger members and provide an opportunity for younger members to network. The group was spearheaded by Amanda Padbury, and the main focus of the YMG was two conferences run each year. The Younger Members’ Conferences provided an opportunity for younger members to network and discuss the activities they would like to see the YMG do in the future. In 2007, it was identified that many of the potential activities were outside the scope of the conferences, and it was suggested that a committee should be set up to provide a focus for the YMG and its activities. In October 2009 the Group changed its name to the Early Career Mathematicians (ECM) Group to include mature graduates of mathematics.

Aim

The aim of the IMA Early Career Mathematicians Committee is to provide a focus for the ideas and activities of the ECMG that help promote mathematics. This empowers 'early career' members within the IMA to promote those activities and strategies, which are important to the 'early career' members, and mathematicians, and the IMA.

Definition

Early Career Mathematician’s are defined as:

• Mathematicians within 15 years of graduating from a university mathematics degree
• Members of the IMA who do not have a degree and are within the first 15 years of the first time they joined the IMA

The ECM group has been set up to  promote mathematics to ECMs, and students of mathematics at university and provide an opportunity for them to network. Whilst it is expected that those defined as ECM and those who are students of mathematics at university will get the most out of this group’s events anyone can attend events run by the group.

Potential Activities

We hope that you will join us by getting involved. The following are examples of potential activities: 

1. Organising twice yearly Early Career Mathematician Conferences (each year one person will lead on organising both conferences with the support of the IMA conference office and those who have previously done this);
2. Provide the opportunity for ECMs’ to have input into Mathematics Today, other IMA Journals and the early career members’ dedicated pages on the IMA website;
3. Provide a channel for ECMs to influence the IMA through representatives on the IMA Council and by identifying suitable representatives to serve on other IMA Committees (e.g. Professional Affairs, Membership);
4. Provide advice to ECM members on how to upgrade their membership or gain Chartership within the IMA;
5. Promote the IMA and mathematics to graduates, students (within schools, colleges and universities), businesses and charities, potentially by linking into other organisations who have already started this work; and
6. Provide guidance to ECM members on how to set up branches of the IMA in their local area to help promote mathematics further.

Contact

If you are interested in getting involved in the activities of the Early Career Mathematician Group, or would like to find out more, please contact ecm@ima.org.uk  or any other member of the committee. Your suggestions and feedback are also very welcome and will be appreciated! 

Early Career Mathematicians' Conferences

The 13th Early Career Mathematicians' Conference will be held at De Morgan House, London on 20 November 2010.

Past Conference Reports

8 June 2004 London

23 April 2005 London

19 November 2005 Oxford

20 May 2006 Manchester

24 May 2008 Cardiff

15 November 2008 London

16 May 2009 Oxford

Careers

There is some careers information in the Careers section. The Institute also has a professional dimension, and in the Professional Affairs section you will find information about companies with IMA approved Graduate Training Schemes, and Initial and Continuing Professional Development.

You are encouraged to contribute to the mathscareers website. Students appreciate young role models, and if you would like to add your profile please contact susan.bolton@ima.org.uk.

Students

Early Career Mathematicians may also be interested in our Students page.