Policy & Consultations

The LMS contributes to public debate on matters affecting mathematics and mathematics education.  It promotes mathematical research and its benefits to decision-makers, policy advisers, funders and the users of mathematics.  It does this in a number of ways through position statements outlining Society policy, responses to Government or other high level consultations, links to other bodies involved in policy issues and representing the views of Society members within the mathematical sciences community. The Society is also active in policy matters through membership of the Council for the Mathematical Sciences.  

Full details of policy and submissions made by the LMS can be found via the link on the left.  Highlights of current and recent activities are given below.

• Current Activity
• Recent Activity
• Full list of policy and submissions made by the LMS

Current Activity

Impact in the Mathematical Sciences in REF2014
The Research Policy Committee has prepared a discussion document to encourage input from the mathematical community regarding examples of 'Impact' in mathematics to assist those struggling with this element of their REF submission.

A blog has been set up for those interesting in contributing and comments can also be emailed to lmspolicy@lms.ac.uk. The closing date for comments is 27th May.

• Discussion Paper (PDF)
• Discussion blog (external link)

Recent Activity

Science and Technology Committee Inquiry on Peer Review
The Committee is conducting an inquiry into peer review and has been inviting evidence on the operation and effectiveness of the peer review process used to examine and validate scientific results and papers prior to publication.

• LMS Response (PDF)
• Written evidence submitted by Sir John Ball (external link)
• Written evidence submitted by Professor Thomas Ward,
  Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic), University of East Anglia (external link)
• Select Committee (external link)

Education White Paper

• LMS Response (PDF)

Review of National Curriculum

• LMS Response (PDF)

Use of ICT in teaching of mathematics at HE institutions

• LMS Position Statement (PDF)

International Review of Mathematical Sciences
The draft report of the IRM 2010 Review Panel was presented at the EPSRC Town Meeting on 28 January 2011.

• International Review of Mathematical Sciences Draft Report (PDF)
• LMS Vice-President's report on the EPSRC Town Meeting (PDF)

Research Policy Statements
Research Policy Committee papers have been produced for the International Review of Mathematics 2010.  The committee will be working on further statements about how research policy affects mathematics and will seek the views of LMS members.

• Research and Teaching in Symbiosis (PDF)
  Position paper showing the current context of UK mathematical sciences
• UK government funding for mathematical sciences research (PDF)
  A briefing paper outlining the main UK sources of funding for mathematical sciences researc h
• Doctoral Training in Mathematics in the UK (PDF)
  A position paper on the nature of UK doctoral training in mathematical science