On 19 November 2025, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) joined leading organisations at the Parliamentary Maths Expo, held in the House of Commons during Maths Week England. The event, organised by the Campaign for Mathematical Sciences (CaMS) and hosted by Ian Sollom MP, brought together MPs, civil servants, industry leaders, and the maths community to highlight the essential role of mathematics in shaping the UK’s future.
Why This Matters
Mathematics is a major driver of the UK economy, contributing nearly £500 billion last year. As Ian Sollom MP emphasised, “Key growth sectors – AI, cybersecurity, defence – are all underpinned by mathematical science.” The challenge now is ensuring long-term investment in maths education, research, and skills to maintain this momentum.
The Expo showcased how mathematics underpins technologies and solutions that impact everyday life, from energy optimisation and climate modelling to robotics and AI. Exhibitors included the Met Office, the Mathematics for Deep Learning (M4DL) programme, VisualPDE, and learned societies such as the IMA, LMS, and INI.
Heather Tewkesbury’s Vision
Our President Elect, Heather Tewkesbury, delivered a powerful message about the visibility and relevance of mathematics:
“We can show how relevant the mathematical sciences are today, more than ever. And that is where business, industry and government have an increasing role to play. In making more visible how maths enables us to tackle national challenges in relation to security, net zero and critical national infrastructure, motivates new products and even entire businesses, how it reduces waste, allows us to know when to trust AI, and keeps us safe. The IMA will be leading on refreshing the Mathematics Matters initiative next year with more stories from business and government.”
Heather highlighted examples from energy, infrastructure, and climate science, showing how maths is already solving critical problems, but often behind the scenes.
Looking Ahead
The Expo also addressed the importance of education and skills. Initiatives like Maths Degrees for the Future, launched by CaMS, aim to make mathematics degrees more attractive and relevant, while strengthening the pipeline of talent from schools to industry.
We were delighted to connect with policymakers and fellow advocates, including a warm catch-up with Bobby Seagull, one of our former Maths Scholars. The event reinforced a shared commitment: to ensure mathematics remains central to innovation, sustainability, and economic growth.
As Heather announced, the IMA will refresh Mathematics Matters in 2026, sharing more stories that demonstrate the impact of maths across sectors. We invite businesses and organisations to get involved and help us champion mathematics as a driver of progress.
Photos by Gary Schwartz
