IMA:Top Stories

The Councils of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) and the London Mathematical Society (LMS), at their meetings on 25 June 2008 and 4 July 2008 respectively, received and adopted a Report describing the creation of a new single society for mathematics. The new national society would, if agreed by the memberships of both bodies, replace the existing societies.

The Councils agreed to commend the proposals to their memberships as preserving the best of both the current societies and providing real opportunities for increasing the scope, scale and effectiveness of all activities in the support and promotion of mathematics.

The Report has been circulated to members for consultation.

Follow the links below for a copy of the Report and Appendices:

'A New Unified Mathematical Society' - The Next Steps Initiative Report (NSI) [PDF]

Appendices. [PDF]

The two societies welcome comments, questions and debate. Members are invited to comment on the proposals either directly to the IMA or LMS using the links on the consultation website contact page.

The Presidents of both bodies will be visiting universities and society branches around the UK to speak to members and other interested parties in their area about the proposals. Details of the provisional programme is on the consultation website www.newmathsoc.org.uk.

A decision to create a new society, if both memberships are in favour, would require formal resolutions at General Meetings of the two societies, as well as the approval of the Privy Council and Charity Commission. The timescale for that, if the proposals go ahead, is unknown but is expected to be at least two years.

Mathematics Promotion Unit
The Mathematics Promotion Unit is hoping to provide a voice for the UK mathematics community and to make it easier for the press to write interesting - and accurate - articles about the subject.

For further information contact: Caroline Davis (Mathematics Policy & Promotion Officer) on: +44 (0)20 7927 0804 or davis@lms.ac.uk

Mathematics Policy Roundup August 2008

The Maths Inside project

Lighthill Institute of Mathematical Sciences
Forthcoming events

The Council for the Mathematical Sciences
The Council for the Mathematical Sciences (CMS) was established in 2001 by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), the London Mathematical Society (LMS) and the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) to provide a forum for the three mathematical societies.

Its purposes are: to be proactive in representing the interests of mathematics to government, research councils and other public bodies; to seek to promote good practice in the mathematics curriculum and its teaching and learning at all levels and in all sectors of education; to respond coherently and effectively to proposals from government and other public bodies which may affect the mathematical community; to work where relevant in consultation and co-operation with other bodies such as JMC and HoDoMS.

In October 2006, Professor Sir David Wallace CBE FRS FREng was appointed as the independent Chair of the CMS.

In 2008 the Edinburgh Mathematical Society and the Operational Research Society became Members of the CMS.

The CMS Diaries

Results of the 2006 Membership Survey
Thank you to all the members who responded to the membership survey. Details

Report of the International Review of UK Research in Mathematics is now published and 3 events to raise awareness of its content and recommendations are planned. Further Details

University Affiliate Membership
The IMA is working with Professor David Abrahams, Dr Mike Simon, Dr Peter Eccles and Dr Alan Jones and The University of Manchester to inform students of the benefits of association with a professional and learned society. The initiative will include the provision of careers advice, links with IMA's Lancashire and NW branch and student representation for Mathematics Today. Further details