'How to Talk Maths in Public' a Conference on Public Engagement

“如何在公共场合谈论数学”公众参与会议

• 批准号: EP/H046852/1
• 负责人: I Abrahams
• 金额: $ 3.13万
• 依托单位: University of Manchester
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2010 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FH046852%2F1
• 关键词: How; Talk; Maths; Public; Conference

Mathematics is receiving an ever increasing public profile. From academics' lectures and school masterclasses to mathematical features in newspapers and television documentaries, popular books - even mathematicians modelling designer clothes in men's magazines - there has never been more mathematics on display. Mathematics holds an intrinsic fascination for many people, whether they feel they can understand it or whether they feel they are left baffled. However, mathematics is a subject which underpins most of what we take for granted in modern society. This ubiquity, when taken with the way that mathematics naturally becomes incorporated into the disciplines that it informs, means that the fundamental role of mathematics is still under-appreciated. As a consequence, mathematics lacks political punch, is under-funded and generally undervalued by society. The need for professional engagement between mathematicians and the public is therefore crucially important. Despite this, however, the community as a whole has been rather poor at this task, leaving this essential role to just a few skilled individuals. We must tackle this problem in order to help attract future mathematicians to meet the growing demands of industry, commerce and the public sector, and especially to fill the massive shortfall of those going on to teach in schools and FE colleges. Funding is requested for a two-day conference, which aims to bring together mathematicians already active in public engagement (in academe; math promoters; teachers; individuals working in radio, television, newspapers and magazines; and other media) with next generation mathematicians who want to be empowered to be the ambassadors for change. Leading mathematics communicators will speak and then offer interactive workshops for delegates. Topics will include: - Can a respectable professional mathematician engage with the public? - Working with the press and media - Writing a popular maths book - How much maths is too much? - Routes to funding for public engagement - A talent show: 'e to the x factor'.The City of Manchester will provide a perfect venue for a number of street maths events which will be set up in a range of locations around the town. These will link to the conference, helping both to publicise it and also to give additional hands-on examples of maths communication to the participants. The 'Maths in the Street' events will be coordinated by members of the highly experienced organising committee, including Steve Humble, aka Dr Maths of the Northern Echo and Chris Budd who have run many such events around the world, and they will be staffed by local volunteers, delegates and/or students. It is anticipated that this element will encourage BBC Manchester to cover the two-day event, to interview a number of the contributors, and perhaps even to join the panel discussion.

数学正受到越来越多的公众关注。从学术讲座和学校大师班到报纸和电视纪录片中的数学特写，流行书籍-甚至数学家在男性杂志上展示设计师服装-从未有过如此多的数学展示。对许多人来说，数学有着内在的魅力，无论他们觉得自己能理解它，还是感到困惑不解。然而，数学是一门学科，它支撑着我们在现代社会中认为理所当然的大多数东西。如果考虑到数学自然融入其所涉及的学科的方式，这种普遍存在意味着数学的基本作用仍然没有得到充分的重视。因此，数学缺乏政治影响力，资金不足，而且通常被社会低估。因此，数学家和公众之间的专业参与至关重要。然而，尽管如此，整个社区在这方面的工作一直相当薄弱，只剩下少数有技能的人发挥这一重要作用。我们必须解决这个问题，以帮助吸引未来的数学家，以满足工业，商业和公共部门日益增长的需求，特别是填补那些继续在学校和FE学院任教的巨大缺口。要求为为期两天的会议提供资金，该会议旨在将已经积极参与公众参与的数学家（在公共图书馆;数学推广者;教师;在广播，电视，报纸和杂志工作的个人;以及其他媒体）与希望被赋予权力成为变革大使的下一代数学家聚集在一起。领先的数学传播者将发言，然后为代表们提供互动研讨会。主题将包括：-一个受人尊敬的专业数学家能与公众接触吗？- 与新闻媒体合作-写一本流行的数学书-多少数学是太多了？- 资助公众参与的途径-一个才艺表演：“e to the x factor”。曼彻斯特市将为一些街头数学活动提供一个完美的场所，这些活动将在该镇的一系列地点举行。这些将链接到会议，既有助于宣传它，也为与会者提供更多的数学交流的实际例子。"街头数学“活动将由经验丰富的组委会成员协调，包括Steve Humble，又名北方Echo的数学博士和Chris Budd，他们在世界各地举办了许多此类活动，他们将由当地志愿者，代表和/或学生组成。预计这一因素将鼓励BBC曼彻斯特报道为期两天的活动，采访一些撰稿人，甚至可能参加小组讨论。