Cambridge mathematician Professor Keith Moffatt FRS has been honoured for a career which has combined world class research in applied mathematicians with determined efforts to draw mathematicians together from around the world.

The Councils of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and of the London Mathematical Society have awarded the 2009 David Crighton Medal for services to mathematics and to the mathematical community to Professor, Emeritus Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Cambridge, in recognition of his contributions to fluid dynamics and mathematical modelling and for his leadership in many positions in UK and international mathematical organisations.

Professor David Abrahams, president of the IMA, said, “The contribution Keith made to the UK and international mathematics communities is incomparable. He has worked tirelessly to set up mathematical research in developing nations, and has been a long-term champion of the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Cape Town. And as director of the UK’s national institute for the mathematical sciences - the Isaac Newton Institute in Cambridge - he attracted exceptional programmes from across the full mathematical spectrum. Participants speak with great affection of his constant interest in their programmes and his attention to detail.”

Sir John Ball, president of the LMS, paid tribute to Professor Moffatt’s research career, which spanned 50 years. He said, “Keith is one of the world’s foremost applied mathematicians. He is probably best known for his work in magnetohydrodynamics, addressing the dynamics of electrically conducting fluids such as plasmas, liquid metals and salt water. His work contributed enormously to our understanding of the interaction between fluid turbulence and magnetic fields.”

The presentation of the David Crighton Medal will take place at a joint meeting of the IMA and the LMS on the evening of 17 March 2010 at the Royal Society and will be followed by a lecture from Professor Moffatt.