International Centre for Mathematical Sciences

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The International Centre for Mathematical Sciences (ICMS) in Edinburgh is one of the UK's principal resources in the mathematical sciences. It is an independent hub with multifarious roles, serving in distinctive ways the international community, the UK as a whole, the north of England and Scotland, and the local communities and Universities of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt. ICMS is committed to helping close the gender gap, widen participation, and broaden access by early career researchers (ECRs) in mathematical sciences. Thanks to the significant leverage from other financial sources, the Centre's impact to mathematics and science, as one of the two main UK foci (the other being the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, which serves a complementary role to ICMS), is significantly greater than merely the sum of its core activities arising from its EPSRC funding. In almost a quarter century since it was founded, ICMS has established a world-leading reputation for hosting bespoke workshops at the highest scientific level on the most timely and innovative topics in the mathematical sciences and related areas. Proposed meetings are subjected to a rigorous reviewing process by referees of international standing. In any 2 or 3 year period, ICMS workshops cover an unusually broad and exciting range of topics. In addition ICMS runs a Research-in-Groups (RiGs) programme to enable small groups of researchers to work together for a short period of intensive collaboration; this provides a particularly cost effective way of promoting international collaborations by UK scientists.The Centre has a dedicated Knowledge Exchange Officer (KEO) whose job is to identify potential users of mathematics from outside the academic community and to stage events (either in conjunction with research workshops or independently) to involve those users. Some 50 of the world's largest companies have sent representatives to ICMS meetings in the last 3 years, covering healthcare, the oil industry, the financial industry, defence industries and engine manufacture and computing. The KEO also helps stimulate interdisciplinary activity within the workshop programme. ICMS runs an active programme of public outreach activities that are coordinated by a Public Engagement Officer and an Expert Panel consisting of leading academics and specialists in public engagement. Events include a public lecture series (which includes presentations by selected participants at the ICMS workshops), events for schools, exhibitions, walking tours, doors-open activities and participation in the Edinburgh International Science Festival (EISF). There have been approximately 30 events in recent years with over 2200 participants.Research workshops play a crucial role in the development of mathematics. Important research collaborations often begin at such meetings and ECRs gain a significant part of their training at workshops and conferences. ICMS attracts many of the world's leading mathematicians to Britain and likewise its workshops involve many of the leading protagonists who work here. The ECRs, many of whom will later move into industry, also have a chance to make industrial contacts at ICMS gatherings.