Thursday 11 October 2012. Presidential Address: Complex Systems in Science and Society. A talk by Professor Robert MacKay FRS, CPhys, FInstP (University of Warwick and IMA President 2012) 7.15 p.m. Centre for Effective Learning in Science Lecture Theatre CELS 015, The Nottingham Trent University Clifton Site, Nottingham.
Tuesday 13 November 2012. Lewis Carroll in Numberland. A talk by:Professor Robin Wilson (The Open University and Pembroke College, Oxford) 7.30 p.m. Main Building (Room to be confirmed), University of Derby, Kedleston Road.
Wednesday 12 December 2012. Looking Mathematically at English Decorated Window Tracery. An illustrated talk by Hugh Williams 7.30 p.m. Room A0.01, Schofield Building, Loughborough University.
Tuesday 22 January 2013. Pigs didn’t fly but swine flu: the mathematics of epidemics. A talk by Ken Eames and Ellen Brooks-Pollock (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London). 7.30 p.m. Lecture Theatre 2, Ken Edwards Building, University of Leicester.
Abstract: Over the past few years, mathematicians have found themselves on the front line in the fight against epidemics. Mathematical models are frequently called upon by policy makers to answer questions about the likely scale of outbreaks and to help guide control efforts. How does a mathematician go about developing a model that will provide reliable answers to important (and often urgent) policy questions? In this talk we will discuss some modelling techniques used to understand and quantify infectious disease spread. Approaches range from simple, analytically solvable models to complex individual-based simulations, but in all cases is it essential to identify the processes that drive the epidemic.
We will talk about modelling efforts that took place during the 2009 swine flu pandemic and how modelling contributes to the ‘badger versus cattle’ bovine TB debate.
Monday 18 March 2013. APP-lications of mathematics in the real world (and several virtual ones). A talk by Chris Robbins (Grallator Consultancy). 7.30 pm. Room A17, Mathematical Sciences Building, University of Nottingham, NG7 2 RD.
Chris Robbins runs the small consultancy Grallator, which specialises in applied mathematics and related software for industry and education. Chris has a BSc in theoretical physics and a PhD in mathematics, and he spent time in industry and academia before setting up Grallator in 1999. His work has covered a wide range of problems including salmon lice populations, phototherapy, industrial gutters and nuclear waste. In addition to this, Chris is a keen promoter of the applications of mathematics and has given many talks and demonstrations. He has also recently completed a set of 43 engineering-based contextualised examples of mathematics for MEI and the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Wednesday 24 April 2013. Florence Nightingale: using graphical statistical analysis to combat the spread of disease. A talk by Noel-Ann Bradshaw (University of Greenwich). 7.30 pm. Main Building, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1GB.
Thursday 23 May 2013. Some interesting observations on the early history of differential equations. A talk by Tony Croft (Loughborough University). 7.30 pm. Room A0.01, Schofield Building, Loughborough University.
Abstract: Anyone who has studied mathematics beyond school level will, at some stage, have met ordinary differential equations. The theory of differential equations is so important that it is regarded as a branch of mathematics in its own right. Whilst there are many books on the history of mathematics and particularly the history of the calculus, there is not a great deal of literature explicitly about the early history of differential equations. In this talk I will address questions such as: what did the first differential equations look like, who were the key players and what were these differential equations used for ?
Professor Tony Croft is Professor of Mathematics Education and a Director of sigma – Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University.
