IMA Lighthill-Thwaites Prize

Every two years, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) in cooperation with the Institute’s Journal of Applied Mathematics and the British Applied Mathematics Colloquium (BAMC) will award the IMA Lighthill-Thwaites Prize in applied mathematics.

The award will be based on a submitted piece of work that describes an aspect of the candidate's original research and is suitable for presentation at the BAMC. Whether or not the work has been published, or submitted for publication, is irrelevant but no person may submit more than one paper. Finalists will be encouraged to submit an article for publication in the IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics, which would normally be related in some way to the paper submitted for the prize.

This biennial prize has been established by the IMA in recognition of the achievement of its first two Presidents - Professors Sir James Lighthill and Sir Bryan Thwaites - in laying the foundations of what has become a major scientific Institute. Born within a month of each other they were at school together and their subsequent careers were closely aligned: they started by working in the same room at the National Physical Laboratory and ended by being Heads of Colleges in London University. It was their mutual interest in the education and training of young people, as much as their involvement in applied mathematics, that has shaped the conditions of the Prize as detailed below.

Submissions

Papers submitted for consideration can be on any subject covered within the scope of the IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics. The work must be an original piece of research by the candidate and may have been published or submitted for publication elsewhere. The editors welcome the submission of the winning article to their journal if it has not been previously published.

A joint paper may be submitted by a candidate if accompanied by a statement from the co-authors agreeing to the submission and detailing the contribution of the candidate to the paper. It is anticipated that candidates will have made the major contribution to any joint work submitted.

Papers should be suitable for a lecture at the BAMC. No person may submit more than one paper. Candidates from previous competitions, except the winner, are permitted to enter.

Eligibility

Submissions will be accepted from any candidates who, on the deadline submission date, have spent no more than five years in further study or full time equivalent work since completing their undergraduate studies. Applications are particularly welcome from those who are currently studying for or have recently completed a PhD. The prize is also open to undergraduate-level students.

The recipient can be of any nationality.

Judging

The editors of the IMA J. Appl. Math. will review all submissions and decide on a shortlist of some five or six candidates. The papers must be suitable for a talk to a general audience of applied mathematicians. Shortlisted candidates will be designated as 'Finalists' and invited to present their papers at a special session of the BAMC entitled the ‘IMA Lighthill-Thwaites Prize Minisymposium’.

The Editorial Board of the IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics together with the BAMC Standing Committee will appoint a distinguished group of up to six applied mathematicians to serve on an Adjudicating Panel. Judging will take place at the BAMC by the Adjudicating Panel. A winner will be chosen based on the quality and originality of the paper, the presentation and the responses of the candidates to questions.

Awarding Organisation

The award will be made by the IMA in cooperation with the IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics and the BAMC.

Note that the British Applied Mathematics Colloquium is held each spring at a different venue in the UK. Unfortunately, travel funds are not generally available to assist Finalists who are invited to present their work at the BAMC.

Frequency

The Prize will initially be awarded every two years. The frequency of the competition, and other rules, will be reviewed after the Prize has been awarded twice.

Prize(s)

The prize winner will receive a certificate and £1000 co-funded jointly by Sir Bryan Thwaites and the IMA.

Call for Submissions

Call for submissions to the IMA Lighthill-Thwaites Prize.
Entries should be received by 4 January 2013.