The UK’s First Maths Summit 2024

27 Mar 2024, by ablahatherell in News


The Heilbronn Institute was delighted to be part of the UK’s first Maths Summit and one of the exhibitors showcasing the fundamental role mathematics plays in all aspects of life. 


The Maths Summit, held at the Science Museum on 12 March 2024 was organised by Protect Pure Maths and supported by the Academy for the Mathematical Sciences, the Council for the Mathematical Sciences, the Edinburgh Mathematical Society, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, the London Mathematical Society, the Royal Statistical Society and the Operational Research Society.  The Summit brought together leaders from academia, industry, education and politics to explore how the mathematical sciences can support research, innovation and prosperity.  The event highlighted the immense contribution of mathematics to the UK and set out how we can deliver meaningful change going forward. 


The Maths Manifesto which was produced under the leadership of Professor Catherine Hobbs, Chair of the Heilbronn Institute, was launched at the Maths Summit.  The Manifesto covers a range of issues within mathematical sciences and its contribution to society and sets out priorities and actions under the headings of improving mathematical literacy, increasing investment in research and commercialisation, bringing further insight to public policy and industry and improving attitudes towards mathematics in society.

The Rt Honourable Michelle Donelan MP, Secretary of State for Science Innovation and Technology gave a keynote speech followed by a discussion with Professor Jon Keating FRS, Former Chair of the Heilbronn Institute, and Catherine McKinnell MO, Shadow schools minister, contributed to a panel discussion on equipping young people to build and benefit from the increasingly mathematical world.  The Director of GCHQ, Anne Keast-Butler, was also a keynote speaker at the event.  She emphasised the importance of mathematics research to preserving national security in the UK.