On 27 June 2012 at the Royal Society Professor Robert MacKay FRS, CPhys FInstP, CMath FIMA, President of the IMA, delivered his Presidential Address – Complex Systems in Science and Society – to an audience of members and guests.
Robert began by introducing complex systems, emergence, tipping points and nudges. The extraordinary scope of this topic was illustrated by a quotation from Darwin on the complexity exhibited by the natural world. Robert gave a few examples of complex systems that included the world, the cosmos, cell structure, society, cities, electricity distribution and the internet.
He used a ‘Toy’ model of voter choice illustrated by computer simulations to demonstrate some of the properties of complex systems. Each voter (square) votes with the majority from its square and two specified neighbours with an error rate that can be adjusted. A 50% error rate means each voter votes independently and there’s no pattern. With a small error rate (5%) one colour wins out quite quickly over time, with a larger error rate (15%) areas are dominated by patches of colour moving down the screen. The tipping point is when the error rates tip the balance to one colour. A nudge can be caused by a zealot – one square that always votes the same way. This zealot nudges a scenario with error rates that usually results in patches of each colour into an output of the zealot’s colour.
Robert then gave examples of possible tipping points in society (e.g. the end of apartheid); the climate and the economy (e.g. a domino effect starting with Greece and spreading throughout Europe).
Professor MacKay finished his talk by outlining his ‘Manifesto for the IMA’, which has two main projects. He began by saying that the Institute’s strap line ‘Promoting Mathematics’ sums up our purpose and that this has three prongs: developing mathematics through research; applying mathematics and the learning/ teaching of mathematics.
The first project is to start a ‘problem solving’ webpage where members can post problems and others can propose solutions.The second project is BIG-M. This is a plan for a centre in London where meetings, workshops and tutorials can be held to enhance communication between Business, Industry and Government (BIG) and Mathematics (M). This has been proposed to EPSRC and if we are successful sponsors will be invited to contribute.
You can hear Robert’s Presidential Address at your local Branch – details will appear on the IMA website and in Mathematics Today as they become available. The Presidential Address will also be published in Mathematics Today next year.
Prior to his Presidential Address, the President awarded Certificates of Service to Dr Charles Evans CMath FIMA, Honorary Secretary, Membership; Mr Graham T. Q. Hoare CMath FIMA, Mathematics Today; Professor Peter King CMath FIMA, Membership Committee; Mr Alan Lane CMath FIMA, Membership Committee and Mr Malcolm Savage CMath FIMA, Membership Committee and East Midlands Branch.
Mrs Susan Bolton for 7 years service to the IMA; Dr Graham Brindley AFIMA, East Midlands Branch; Dr Tracey Cool CMath MIMA, CSci, Chair and Vice Chair of the East Midlands Branch; Dr Alison Hooper FIMA, Secretary of the West of England Branch; Mr Michael Howkins CMath FIMA, East Midlands Branch; Dr Edward Glennie CMath FIMA, Vice Chair and Treasurer of the West of England Branch and Professor Tim Pedley FRS, CMath FIMA, President of the IMA (2004–5) were also awarded Certificates of Service this year, but unfortunately they were unable to attend the presidential address.
The evening concluded with a reception and buffet in the Marble Hall that was relaxed and enjoyable.
REBECCA WATERS
EDITORIAL OFFICER
