The Councils of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) and the London Mathematical Society (LMS) have awarded the 2012 David Crighton Medal for services to mathematics and the mathematics community jointly to Dr Peter Neumann OBE of the University of Oxford and Professor Arieh Iserles of the University of Cambridge.
As an algebraist, Dr Neumann has done highly influential work on permutation groups, combinatorics, and computational group theory. He has also been outstanding as an enthusiastic and original teacher. In the wider mathematical community he has made a notable contribution by his work for the UK Mathematics Trust, whose first Chairman he became in 1996. He has also been a leader in promoting the history of mathematics as an important subject in UK universities.
Professor Iserles’ research has been at the leading edge of numerical analysis for his whole career. His early papers dealt with stability and accuracy, which were at the forefront of numerical analysis at the time. Iserles has an outstanding record of service to the research community in his editorial work, especially for Acta Numerica; to the Society for the Foundations of Computational Mathematics, as well as teaching and mentoring.
Professor Robert MacKay, president of the IMA and Dr Graeme Segal, president of the LMS,’ commented, ‘The health of mathematics in the UK depends heavily on the expertise, labour and commitment that many put in. It is a pleasure to recognise the contributions of two such mathematicians by the award of this prize’.
The David Crighton Medals will be presented at a joint meeting of the IMA and the LMS on the evening of 14 March 2013 at the Royal Society, followed by lectures from Dr Neumann and Professor Iserles.
Notes for Editors
- The London Mathematical Society (LMS) is the UK’s learned society for mathematics. Founded in 1865 for the promotion and extension of mathematical knowledge, the Society is concerned with all branches of mathematics and its applications. It is an independent and self-financing charity, with a membership of over 2600 drawn from all parts of the UK and overseas. Its principal activities are the organisation of meetings and conferences, the publication of periodicals and books, the provision of financial support for mathematical activities, and the contribution to public debates on issues related to mathematics research and education. It works collaboratively with other mathematical bodies worldwide. It is the UK adhering body to the International Mathematical Union.
- The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) is the learned and professional society for mathematics. It promotes mathematics research, education and careers, and the use of mathematics in business, industry and commerce. Amongst its activities the IMA produces academic journals, organises conferences, and engages with government. Founded in 1964, the Institute has 5,000 members. Forty percent of members are employed in education (schools through to universities), and the other 60% work in commercial, industrial and governmental organisations. In 1990 the Institute was incorporated by Royal Charter and was subsequently granted the right to award Chartered Mathematician and Chartered Mathematics Teacher designation.
- The LMS and IMA are members of the Council for the Mathematical Sciences (CMS), which also comprises the Royal Statistical Society, the Edinburgh Mathematical Society and the Operational Research Society.
- The David Crighton Award was instituted by the IMA and LMS in memory of Professor David George Crighton FRS, (15 November 1942−12 April 2000) a former President of the IMA and President-Designate of the LMS at the time of his death. David was Master of Jesus College, Cambridge, and Professor of Applied Mathematics at Cambridge University; he was a leader in the fields of Fluid Mechanics and Applied Mathematics, influencing their progress nationally and internationally through his contributions both to research and administration. The Medal is awarded triennially to an eminent mathematician for services both to mathematics and to the mathematical community. Previous winners are Sir John Ball, FRS,
Sir Christopher Zeeman, FRS and Professor Keith Moffatt, FRS. - Full award citations are available on the IMA and LMS websites at www.ima.org.uk/about_us/awards_and_medals/david_crighton_medal.cfm and www.lms.ac.uk/content/citations-ima-lms-prize-winners#Crighton_2012
Contact:
Dr John Johnston
Mathematics Promotion Unit
London Mathematical Society
De Morgan House
57–58 Russell Square
London WC1B 4HS.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7927 0804
Email: john.johnston@lms.ac.uk
