The Councils of the above organisations have issued the following statement:
The Councils of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) and the London Mathematical Society (LMS), at their meetings on 25 June and 4 July respectively, received and adopted a Report describing the creation of a new single society for mathematics. The new national society would, if agreed by the memberships of both bodies, replace the existing societies.
The Councils agreed to commend the proposals to their memberships as preserving the best of both the current societies and providing real opportunities for increasing the scope, scale and effectiveness of all activities in the support and promotion of mathematics.
The Report will be circulated to all members over the summer for consultation, and mechanisms will be put in place to enable members to comment and seek clarification on the proposals. The Presidents of both bodies will be contacting universities and society branches around the UK to offer to come and speak to members and other interested parties in their area about the proposals.
A decision to create a new society, if both memberships are in favour, would require formal resolutions at General Meetings of the two societies, as well as the approval of the Privy Council and Charity Commission. The timescale for that, if the proposals go ahead, is unknown but is expected to be at least two years.
In a joint statement, Professor Brian Davies, President of the LMS, and Professor David Abrahams, President of the IMA, said, “The mathematics community needs – and deserves – a single voice that can speak loudly and clearly for mathematicians in the UK. Increased co-operation in the mathematical community has persuaded both Councils that the time is ripe to grasp the unique opportunity that this Report presents.”
Notes for Editors
- The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) is the professional and learned society for qualified and practising mathematicians. It promotes mathematics research, education and careers, and the use of mathematics in business, industry and commerce. Amongst its activities the IMA produces academic journals, organises conferences, and engages with government. Founded in 1964, the Institute has 5,000 members. Forty percent of members are employed in education (schools through to universities), and the other 60% work in commercial, industrial and governmental organisations. In 1990 the Institute was incorporated by Royal Charter and was subsequently granted the right to award Chartered Mathematician designation.
- The London Mathematical Society (LMS) is the UK’s learned society for mathematics. Founded in 1865 for the promotion and extension of mathematical knowledge, the Society is concerned with all branches of mathematics and its applications. It is an independent and self-financing charity, with a membership of over 2,600 drawn from all parts of the UK and overseas. Its principal activities are the organisation of meetings and conferences, the publication of periodicals and books, the provision of financial support for mathematical activities, and the contribution to public debates on issues related to mathematics research and education. It works collaboratively with other mathematical bodies worldwide acting as the UK adhering body to the International Mathematical Union.
- For further information contact:
Caroline Davis
Mathematics Promotion Unit
De Morgan House
57–58 Russell Square
London WC1B 4HS.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7927 0804
E-mail: caroline.davis@lms.ac.uk
