The Council for the
Mathematical Sciences:
Overview and Plans
David Wallace, Chair
HoDoMS Annual Conference
Tuesday 3 April 2007
Secretariat: Martin Smith
De Morgan House
57-58 Russell Square
London
WC1B 4HS
www.cms.ac.uk
The Council for the
Mathematical Sciences
The Council for the Mathematical Sciences (CMS) is:
• a body comprising the Institute of Mathematics and its
Applications (IMA), the London Mathematical Society
(LMS) and the Royal Statistical Society (RSS)
• a forum for the three mathematical societies to discuss
and work together on issues of joint concern
• a mechanism for jointly representing the interest of
mathematics to government, research councils and other
public bodies
• a combined voice for the mathematical sciences
community
The Council for the
Mathematical Sciences
Recent CMS developments:
• Independent Chair – David Wallace
• Part-time Secretariat – Martin Smith
• Permanent base at one address
• Development of CMS interaction with the mathematics
community
• Formal objectives for the CMS
The Council for the
Mathematical Sciences
CMS Objectives (2006):
1. To provide an expert advisory group on matters
affecting the mathematical sciences in higher
education, research, business, industry and the public
sector
2. To engage (proactively and responsively) with
government and other decision-makers and to
respond coherently and effectively to proposals in
which the mathematical sciences have a role, or may
be affected
3. To engage with funding agencies for higher
education and research on maintaining and improving
a strong mathematics base in the UK
The Council for the
Mathematical Sciences
CMS Objectives (2006):
4. To encourage the public’s appreciation of and
engagement in mathematical sciences and their
application, including activities to enthuse young
people and demonstrate the role of the mathematical
sciences in career options
5. To bring together the mathematical sciences
community and facilitate communication between
the community and other stakeholders to explore
common issues and potential solutions
6. To promote good practice in mathematics education
(including teaching, learning and the curriculum) at all
levels and in all sectors of education, working as a
complement to ACME in England
The Council for the
Mathematical Sciences
CMS–HoDoMS activities:
• Collaboration on consultation responses
• Annual CMS-HoDoMS survey of departments
• HE admissions data
"Mathematical sciences" undergraduates various definitions
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
1996/97
1997/98
1998/99
1999/2000
2000/2001
2001/2002
2002/2003
2003/2004
The Council for the
Mathematical Sciences
Other ongoing CMS Activities:
• Meetings with Secretaries of State
Charles Clarke (July 2004), Ruth Kelly
(March 2006)
• Consultation responses and
policy submissions
• Work with EPSRC:
Quarterly meetings with the
Mathematical Sciences
Programme team, Annual
Meeting with EPSRC Chief
Executive, ‘Engaging Maths’
Showcase event, International
Review of Mathematics
The Council for the
Mathematical Sciences
Other ongoing CMS Activities:
• Mathscareers Website
www.mathscareers.org.uk
• Interaction with ACME
ACME observer on CMS, CMS
Secretariat observing termly
ACME meetings with DfES
• ‘CMS Diary’
An accessible account of recent CMS activities, made
available at www.cms.ac.uk and appearing in the
Society’s newsletters
The Council for the
Mathematical Sciences
Key issues and concerns:
• Regional provision of mathematics courses
• Proposed changes to mathematics GCSE
• Bologna Process - science community meeting
• Threats to mathematical sciences in HE
• Transitions into and out of post-16 mathematical
study
• Development of CMS activities in Scotland –
meetings with ministers, Chief Scientists etc.
• Engaging with other mathematical sciences
bodies and stakeholder groups
The Council for the
Mathematical Sciences
Questions:
• What issues do Heads of Departments consider
to be key?
• How can the CMS and HoDoMS work together on
these issues?
• As part of the mathematical sciences
community, do Heads of Departments feel
informed of and involved with CMS activities?
• How might CMS engage with Heads of
Departments and other stakeholder groups?
The Council for the
Mathematical Sciences