International Review of Mathematics

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Report 5 - July 2003

Dr Stephen Huggett has been appointed Scientific Secretary of the Review. Stephen is a lecturer at the University of Plymouth and is currently Programme Secretary of the LMS.

The Steering Group has been giving detailed thought to the structure of the Review Week and in particular to the visits that subgroups of the International Panel will make. The visits should emphasise quality not scale, picking up on the best mathematics wherever it is done - they must not give the impression that all good mathematics is done in large institutions. The Group developed a multi-level concept for the eight visits. Each visit will have a single venue, selected for its size, position, facilities and its international standing, and with a substantial community of young postdoctoral and postgraduate students. At each venue, key institutions of high standing in the region centred on the venue would jointly act as "hosts" and would present the core material to the sub-Panel. Inevitably, the number of “hosts” will vary from venue to venue. In addition, there would also be an opportunity for mathematics done in other institutions, groups and centres in the region to be seen by the Panel.

It is important that the presentations made during the visit are demonstrative of the strengths of the region and the dynamics for the future. They should be subject-centred, highly selective and regionally inclusive. The Steering Group is considering the concept of inviting individuals (possibly not from the venue) to coordinate and plan the presentations on behalf of the region and to ensure a proper reflection of the region's strengths. The sub-Panel will want to have full and open interaction with postgraduates and postdoctorals. There would be a buffet lunch at which the sub-Panel can mix freely with mathematicians, particularly young staff and postdoctorals.

In developing these guidelines for the visits, the Steering Group was very aware that the actual programmes may end up being rather different in the eight venues, reflecting the differing natures of the regions and institutions. The Steering Group will be contacting the Heads of Departments in the venues and the hosts shortly, after which the list of venues will be announced on the Review web site (www.cms.ac.uk/irm/).

In addition to the visits, the Panel will receive a number of briefings, to cover the structure of the Research Base (Research Councils and Funding Councils), EPSRC and the Mathematics Programme, the RAE, other support mechanisms such as the Royal Society and the LMS. A considerable amount of data will be provided in advance, describing the nature of the UK mathematics and statistics community and the research being done.

There is a contact point on the Review website for feedback (irm@lms.ac.uk). Please use this to send in your own comments and suggestions.