Study Groups with Industry are an established method for exploiting mathematics in business – by exploring new horizons, getting fast effective access to problem solvers and growing long-term academic-industrial collaborations.

The Study Group is an excellent example of a challenge-led innovation mechanism.

Study Groups with Industry provide a forum for industrialists to work alongside established academic mathematicians, postdoctoral researchers and postgraduate students on problems of direct relevance to business. They have forged links that have led to many long-term collaborations. Study Groups with Industry are an internationally recognised highlight of UK applied mathematics. They have been held annually in the UK for 40 years, and are now part of a European series and a wider International programme. The success of Study Groups derives from their unique format - drawing upon the ability to explore and efficiently compare different modelling approaches, and to select and develop the most promising ones. Each Study Group lasts for one week and typically hosts 6 – 8 problems brought from industry, which are addressed by around 80 mathematicians. Recent company participants include Unilever, BAE Systems, Schlumberger, National Grid, Airbus, Dstl, Motorola, British Energy, E.ON and BT and also a range of SMEs. EPSRC recently made an unprecedented commitment to support Study Groups for the next five years

The next Study Group will take place in Southampton in March 2009. To explore the possibilities, contact Dr David Allwright.

Examples of Impact

"My experience of the Study Group was wholly positive. It was delightful on the first day to witness the relish with which the problems were received, and the way in which mathematicians with diverse specialities and experience questioned their way into the heart of each problem from their own perspectives. It is hard to envisage how the format could be improved. The energy generated by group problem solving, fostered by the 'reality' of the problems and the friendly competitiveness of the individuals and teams, must surely make the Study Group the most cost-effective way imaginable of attacking a mathematical problem." - Dr Colin Sillence, Executive Scientist, BAE Systems