Unleashing Mathematics
The Unleashing Mathematics initiative is a direct result of the NETIAM project carried out as a Support Action under the European Commission’s Framework 6 programme. If you would like to contribute to the first part of this exercise to stimulate the wider use of mathematics in Europe please register your interest.

A Driving Force for Industry and Society in Europe

Mathematics offers unique power and flexibility for exploiting opportunities for innovation across a broad spectrum of industry and society: its use will be crucial in achieving the European Union’s ambition to become the world’s most dynamic knowledge-based economy.

Drawing on the cumulative experience spread across Europe, this 'Unleashing Mathematics' initiative aims to set up a team of committed researchers and policymakers from academia, industry and government agencies. Its mission will be to identify the best way of coordinating interdisciplinary mathematics in Europe and to construct an Action Plan for Mathematics in Industry and Society to begin in 2007. You may register your interest in this initiative by going to the bottom of this page.

The perceptions and actions of people and organizations are increasingly defined in quantitative terms. Correspondingly the use of mathematical models is leading to more effective planning and prediction in industry, commerce and government. There remain many untapped opportunities for this approach to be applied, and these demand human, computational and financial resources. Even more important is the need for a wider appreciation of the phenomenal power of modern mathematical techniques. Here we set out a plan which will elucidate the challenges and propose an effective response.

Why Mathematics?

• Modern mathematics can stimulate innovation and increase competitiveness in thousands of industries, research centres and government agencies.
• The deeper understanding of all branches of science - physical, biological and especially social - will increasingly require the use of innovative mathematical ideas.
• Demands for mathematical models are overwhelming the resources of interdisciplinary researchers in the mathematics community.

Europe needs a cultural transformation to meet these challenges over the next decade. Our objectives are:

• To achieve the maximum possible increase in scientific and economic success through the use of mathematics.
• To propose appropriate new cultural and educational policies.

The Way Forward

Europe is fortunate in having a long tradition of outstanding mathematical research. Its strength in “Maths-in-Industry” has had a spectacular impact worldwide. Drawing on the cumulative experience spread across Europe, our next action will be to set up a team of committed researchers and policymakers from academia, industry and government agencies.

The team will consist of members drawn from the participants listed below as well as other newly-interested researchers. Its mission will be to identify the best way of coordinating interdisciplinary mathematics in Europe and to construct an Action Plan for Mathematics in Industry and Society to begin in 2007. They will consider how to

• make society aware that mathematics is the common denominator of much that goes on in everyday life.
• broaden the basis for this enterprise within the mathematics community.
• activate the many sectors of society that can benefit from mathematics.
• optimize media publicity for mathematical successes.
• identify best practice for collaboration and exchange of mathematical ideas.

The activity will be supported by professional expertise in publicity, marketing and the development of collaborative online facilities.

Founding participants

The proposals outlined above are the result of a meeting held at St Catherine’s College, Oxford on July 5, 2005 and are endorsed by the following participants.

Prof Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, Director, Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques, Paris
Dr Melvin Brown, Technology Translator, Smith Institute
Prof Heinz Engl, Director, Johann Radon Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences
President, Austrian Mathematical Society
Prof Peter Grindrod, Chief Mathematician, Lawson Software
Prof Helge Holden, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
President, European Consortium for Mathematics in Industry
Prof Julian Hunt, University College London Director, Lighthill Institute of Mathematical Sciences
Prof Rolf Jeltsch, ETH Zürich President, Gesellschaft für Angewandte Mathematik und Mechanik
Dr Philippe Lacour-Gayet, Chief Scientist, Schlumberger
Dr Robert Leese, Director, Smith Institute
Prof Robert Mattheij, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
Prof Helmut Neunzert, Fraunhofer-ITWM, Kaiserslautern
Dr Hilary Ockendon, Oxford Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
Dr John Ockendon, Research Director, Oxford Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
Prof Mario Primicerio, Universitá degli Studi di Firenze
President, Societá Italiana di Matematica Applicata e Industriale
Dr Ewald Quak, Tallinn University of Technology
Dr Mike Sheppard, Schlumberger Fellow, Schlumberger Cambridge Research
Prof Martin Taylor, University of Manchester Physical Secretary, Royal Society of London
Dr Bernardus Tubbing, DG Research, European Commission
Dr Aivars Zemitis, University College, Ventspils

Contact and getting involved

This initiative is a direct result of the NETIAM project. If you would like to contribute to the first part of this exercise to stimulate the wider use of mathematics in Europe, please send an e-mail to the coordinator Robert Leese outlining the nature of your interest and how you would like to participate.

Download 'Unleashing.pdf' (744 Kb).