Inaugural Fellows Named for Academy for the Mathematical Sciences, Championing UK Innovation
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The Academy for the Mathematical Sciences has announced its first cohort of Fellows, recognizing leaders across academia, industry, and public service who are driving advancements in mathematics and its applications.This prestigious group, including Fields Medal winners, business leaders, and pioneering researchers, will collaborate on critical challenges facing the UK and the world, including pandemic preparedness, economic transformation, national security, and the responsible advancement of artificial intelligence (AI).
The newly established fellowship mirrors those of other national academies – the royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the british Academy, and the academy of Medical Sciences – in acknowledging individuals distinguished through groundbreaking discoveries, remarkable teaching, or the practical application of mathematical principles.
Pioneering Minds at Cambridge University
A significant portion of the inaugural Fellows are affiliated with the University of cambridge, showcasing the institution’s central role in mathematical innovation.
Professor Sir John Aston, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Cambridge, brings extensive experience in applying quantitative evidence to public policymaking. Knighted in 2021 for his services to statistics and public policy, Sir John previously served as Chief Scientific Adviser at the Home Office and was a founding director of the Alan Turing Institute. He emphasized the importance of utilizing the “best methods” to improve evidence-based decision-making.
Professor Anne-Christine Davis, Emeritus Professor of Mathematical Physics at Cambridge and a Life Fellow of King’s College, holds the distinction of being the first female Professor in the Faculty of Mathematics at Cambridge. Her research focuses on the enigmatic realms of dark energy and theoretical cosmology, building on work conducted at institutions including Princeton and CERN. She was awarded an OBE in 2014.
Professor Richard Samworth, Professor of Statistical Science and Director of the Statistical Laboratory since 2017, is a leading expert in statistical methodology, notably in the context of AI. He received the COPSS Presidents’ Award in 2018 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2021, with further accolades – the David cox Medal and the Royal Statistical Society Guy Medal in Silver – expected in 2025.
Professor Carola-Bibiane Schönlieb, Head of the Cambridge Image Analysis group, applies mathematical principles to cutting-edge image analysis and machine learning. Her interdisciplinary collaborations span clinical medicine, biology, physics, engineering, and even art conservation, demonstrating the broad applicability of her work.
Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, Emeritus Professor of Statistics, is renowned for his work in risk dialog and his ability to translate complex statistical evidence for diverse audiences.A prolific author and frequent commentator on BBC4, Sir David was knighted in 2014 and served as President of the Royal Statistical Society from 2017-2018.
Professor jack Thorne, Kuwait Professor of number Theory & algebra at Cambridge, specializes in the intricate intersection of number theory, portrayal theory, and algebra.Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2020,Thorne’s research contributes to the ambitious Langlands program and arithmetic statistics.
Professor wendelin Werner, Rouse Ball Professor at Cambridge since 2023, is a celebrated probability theorist who received the prestigious Fields Medal in 2006. Prior to his appointment at Cambridge, he held professorships at universities in Paris and Zurich.
National Importance and Future Impact
the significance of this fellowship extends beyond academic circles. Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, underscored the vital role of mathematics in the UK’s scientific and technological prowess. “Mathematics sits at the heart of the UK’s scientific and technological strength and is essential to the development of the industries of the future, in exciting fields like AI and quantum,” he stated. He further emphasized that the Fellows’ expertise will “strengthen our security, boost productivity and support high‑quality jobs across the country.”
the Academy for the Mathematical Sciences’ initiative represents a strategic investment in the nation’s intellectual capital, poised to drive innovation and address the complex challenges of the 21st century.
