Mathematics Promotion Unit

The Mathematics Promotion Unit aims to raise awareness of mathematical issues and provide a resource to policy makers, the media and the wider public. It was set up in 2004 by the London Mathematical Society and is now a joint venture with the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.

The unit has a steering group, comprising members of the LMS and IMA. It is staffed by the MPU officer, Caroline Davis, on a half time basis, and operates from the LMS offices in De Morgan House.

The MPU’s role is as a gateway between those working in the mathematical sciences community and a range of interest groups from government departments, agencies and Parliament through science, engineering, business and financial bodies to schools, universities and their students and beyond.

It responds to media enquiries and puts out press releases, but also works to keep other organisations informed of mathematics issues. The MPU provides a resource for anyone wishing to access the mathematics community, maintaining up to date statistics on mathematics education and research and a list of experts.

Another role is to bring together the many organisations working in the mathematics community. To do this, the MPU set up the MATHS-PROM network, which is made up of people who work in promoting mathematics. The group meets several times a year and is kept together by an email network.

met with a wide range of journalists, science organisations and lobby groups as well as the CBI
secured meetings with MPs with an interest in the mathematical sciences and universities
advised the Science Museum on proposals for a new mathematics gallery
worked with exhibitors at the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition to produce a series of leaflets called 'The Maths Inside'.
- Maths Inside 2007
- Maths Inside 2008
provided publicity for the £3.3 million Hefce-funded project ‘more maths grads’ aiming to widen and increase participation in the mathematical sciences; information on its successor is available here
worked with the British Association to produce a leaflet highlighting the mathematics content of events at its Festival of Science in York
produced 11 press releases, including advising the Further Mathematics Network and the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust on publicity.
compiled a round up on the Raising Public Awareness activities in mathematics in the UK for the European Mathematical Society.

DATA ON MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

The MPU collects annual data on mathematics education in schools and universities. This is available for use at: Statistics and data on mathematics education.

The MPU also works on an annual survey on the health of UK university departments of mathematical sciences. This aims to paint a true picture of the mathematics in our universities. The survey is carried out in conjunction with the Council for the Mathematical Sciences and the Heads of Departments of Mathematical Sciences.

Results of the 2006 Survey

SCIENCE AND SOCIETY

The MPU submitted a response to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills's consultation, "A vision for Science and Society" in October 2008. To see the consultation documents, go to http://interactive.dius.gov.uk/scienceandsociety/site.

News

Recent news about the Society's activities can be found here.

Caroline Davis
Mathematics Promotion Officer
E:caroline.davis@lms.ac.uk
T:020 7927 0804

The Mathematics Promotion Unit is a joint venture between the London Mathematical Society and the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. It aims to raise awareness of mathematical issues and provide a resource to policy makers, the media and the wider public.