Institute of Mathematics and its Applications

Institute of Mathematics and its Applications is a professional body and learned society dedicated to advancing the application, teaching, and research of mathematics. Founded in 1964, it received a Royal Charter in 1990, granting it the authority to award the prestigious Chartered Mathematician designation. The organization plays a pivotal role in shaping mathematical sciences policy, supporting education from secondary school to postgraduate research, and fostering collaboration between academia and industry. Its headquarters are located at Catherine Richards House on the campus of the University of Essex.

History

The organization was established in 1964, emerging from growing recognition of the need for a professional body to represent applied mathematicians. Key early figures included Sir James Lighthill, a renowned expert in fluid dynamics, and Sir Michael Atiyah, a leading topologist and later Fields Medal recipient. A significant milestone was achieved in 1990 when Queen Elizabeth II granted a Royal Charter, formally recognizing its status and enabling it to confer the Chartered Mathematician title. Throughout its history, it has been involved in major national initiatives, such as advising the Department for Education on curriculum development and collaborating with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council on funding strategy. Its journal, initially titled The Bulletin of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, evolved into the influential IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics.

Activities and publications

Its core activities encompass a wide range of conferences, workshops, and public engagement events, often held in collaboration with institutions like the London Mathematical Society and the Royal Statistical Society. It publishes several high-impact academic journals, including the IMA Journal of Numerical Analysis, IMA Journal of Management Mathematics, and the Teaching Mathematics and its Applications journal. The organization also produces policy reports and submissions to governmental bodies such as the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee. It administers numerous awards, including the prestigious IMA Gold Medal and the Christopher Zeeman Medal, named for the pioneering catastrophe theory mathematician. Educational outreach is a major focus, with programs supporting the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust and providing resources for Further Mathematics support.

Membership and professional recognition

Membership is structured in several grades, including Student, Associate, and Full Member, with the highest grade of Fellow being awarded for significant contributions to the profession. The premier professional qualification it confers is Chartered Mathematician, a designation protected by its Royal Charter and recognized alongside other chartered statuses like Chartered Engineer. It also awards the title of Chartered Scientist in partnership with the Science Council. Notable Fellows have included influential figures such as Dame Celia Hoyles, a former government advisor on mathematics education, and Sir John Ball, a former president of the International Mathematical Union. The organization actively supports early-career researchers through grants and its early career forum, often in conjunction with the Leverhulme Trust.

Governance and structure

The organization is governed by a Council, led by an elected President, a role held by prominent mathematicians such as David Abrahams and former holders like Sir John Ockendon. Day-to-day operations are managed by a professional executive team based at its headquarters in Catherine Richards House. Its work is further organized into specialized groups focusing on areas like mathematical biology, financial mathematics, and the mathematics of climate change. These groups often liaise with corresponding committees at the Royal Society and the Academy of Medical Sciences. The governance framework is established by its Royal Charter and supplemented by bylaws approved by the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.

Affiliated organizations and partnerships

It maintains formal partnerships with numerous national and international bodies to advance mathematical sciences. Key partners include the Council for the Mathematical Sciences, a collaborative umbrella with the London Mathematical Society and the Royal Statistical Society. It is a constituent member of the International Council for Industrial and Applied Mathematics. The organization collaborates closely with industry through its Industry Forum and has established links with major employers such as GCHQ, BAE Systems, and Rolls-Royce Holdings. In education, it works with the Department for Education, the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics, and universities nationwide, including the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.

Category:Mathematical societies Category:Organizations established in 1964 Category:Learned societies of the United Kingdom