A review putting forward proposals on improving knowledge exchange within the mathematical sciences was published last week.
The review, conducted by an independent group headed by Professor Philip Bond, recommends that an Academy for Mathematical Sciences should be established in order to facilitate such exchanges between academia, government and industry. The new academy should act as a focal point and draw on the expertise of the already existing learned societies.
The review calls for improved resources and infrastructure and recommends that UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) should look to triple the funding going to mathematical sciences across multiple research councils. As part of this, the government and universities should create a minimum of 100 additional PhD places per year dedicated to training mathematical scientists looking to generate impact with their work.
It also aims to address key questions around knowledge exchange and suggests that universities should have dedicated teams in mathematics departments to act as knowledge exchange facilitators, and that funds should be made available for regional knowledge exchange centres and networks.
Finally, the review suggests that the government’s chief scientific advisor should work in collaboration with the government chief statistician to review access to, and assess the impact achieved by, mathematical sciences within the government.
Guy Nason, RSS vice president for academic affairs, said: ‘The RSS very much welcomes the Bond Review and its focus and, in particular, the call for increased funding for this area, given it underpins so much research and scientific endeavour. The Council for the Mathematical Sciences, of which the RSS is a member, will review the report and put forward a more detailed response in due course.'
Read 'The era of mathematics - an independent review of knowledge exchange in the mathematical sciences' by Professor Philip Bond (PDF)