The IMA’s Employers’ Forums, continuing their success since their introduction in 2012, has now held the fourth instalment of the series. The event, hosted by Rolls-Royce at their Derby site, was centered round the theme of ‘Mathematics in the Industrial Workplace’ and was attended by just under 60 delegates.
The forum was able to boast a variety of attendees with a wide representation attending the event: ranging from students to senior managers and specialists from industry, academia and commerce.
The delegates were welcomed to Rolls-Royce’s Learning and Career Development Centre (which is used by 250,000 people each year for training courses, conferences and meetings) by the host and co-organiser Dr Steve King an Equipment Health Management Specialist at Rolls-Royce and Fellow of the Institute. The morning’s programme included talks from;
Dr John Meeson – Assistant Director, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications – Introduction to the IMA
Dr Steve King FIMA – EHM Specialist, Rolls-Royce – The Identity of the Mathematician in a Multi-Disciplinary Team
Erica Tyson MIMA – University Liaison Officer, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications – Preparing Maths Undergraduates for the Industrial Workplace
Dr Alan Stevens CMath FIMA – formally Rolls-Royce – Mathematics in Industry – A Few Examples
Dr Karen White CMath CSci FIMA – Senior Mentor for Mathematics, Dstl – Transforming a Maths Graduate into a Defence Scientist
The afternoon activities involved break out sessions in which the delegates had the opportunity to discuss the roles, identity and recruitment of mathematicians within an industrial, and often engineering based, environment. These smaller groups included a mixture of delegates featuring different professional backgrounds, areas of expertise and experience levels. They were asked to consider a range of questions facing mathematicians, which lead to informative and helpful discussions.
Alongside the workshop sessions in the afternoon, the delegates were treated by the host Rolls-Royce, to a fascinating tour of their Heritage Trust. This took them through the history of Rolls-Royce: starting in the early 1900s with the agreement between Henry Royce and Charles Rolls to manufacture a range of cars that were to bear the name Rolls-Royce; through to the creation of their first aero engine (the Eagle), the development of gas turbine engines, the concept and establishment of the three shaft turbofan engines; ending with present day achievements and developments.
The forum was closed with a discussion, managed by the morning speakers who fed back the key points of the afternoon breakout sessions, giving individuals the opportunities to share their experiences, concerns and best practices with the forum.
