Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences

艾萨克·牛顿数学科学研究所(INI)致力于让英国数学家和其他研究人员在主题项目中与世界各地最优秀的科学家互动。对于参与者来说，环境确实不同寻常：一座专门设计的建筑；办公室、计算机和一流的图书馆支持，包括研究所50米范围内的3.5万本数学科学书籍；有机会在剑桥与更广泛的社区互动；以及经验丰富的工作人员，他们知道什么是有效的，并为组织者和参与者提供全力支持，使他们能够专注于自己的科学。访客计划一般为期六个月、四个月或一个月。通常有两个并行运行的项目，每个项目都有大约20名科学家常驻。项目包括为100名或更多科学家举办的特别密集的教学课程和研讨会，这些课程经常在英国其他地方举行，以最大限度地增加英国社区的机会，并为年轻科学家提供机会。科学指导委员会(SSC)是一群具有非常广泛经验的杰出科学家，他们处于确保每个方案都是最高质量的严格程序的核心。任何一组研究人员都可以向INI提交提案。提案最多由8名裁判审查。在作出判断时，SSC考虑了这些报告的背景：建议研究的质量、研究的及时性、它提供的将不同数学分支和/或应用领域聚集在一起的机会、英国社区的需求和价值，以及INI的特殊环境可能产生的潜在影响。SSC还考虑到世界各地其他研究所的活动。获得SSC批准的那些提案被分配了一个最长为三年的时间段。组织者通常包括部分或全部提名者，他们与INI的工作人员合作，邀请参与者，并确定该计划可能确定的任何特殊要求。INI的工作人员在所有实际方面都提供帮助，他们的承诺受到参观者的极大赞赏。英国科学家和其他地方的科学家之间建立的合作经常持续很长一段时间并取得成果，这是INI计划的一大红利。这是一种成熟的形式，在迄今开展的69项计划中取得了特别成功：计划的跨学科广度是独一无二的，其质量和无与伦比的INI环境吸引了世界一流的专家(包括25名菲尔兹奖获得者和8名诺贝尔奖获得者)。但印度国家研究所并不自满，将推动一些改革，以提高方案对社区和最终用户的质量和价值：--将大大加强与国家咨询委员会和记者网络的接触，以确保他们有最充分的机会影响国家研究所的活动，使之符合它们的利益；-署长和工作人员将利用他们的意见，加强对南南合作的支持，以便它能够越来越多地刺激未来方案的发展，特别是在可能根本没有其他方法将明显不同的领域卓有成效地结合在一起的情况下。-将通过确保信息技术设施是最新的实践和加强网络材料来扩大获取渠道。-主任和工作人员还将制定一项战略，使工业界和专业利益更有效地参与研究所的活动，以便他们能够更直接地影响和受益于研究所的活动。

The Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences (INI) is dedicated to enabling UK mathematicians and other researchers to interact with the best scientists from around the world, in themed programmes. The environment for participants is truly exceptional: a dedicated and purpose-designed building; office, computing and superb library support, including 35,000 books in Mathematical Sciences within 50 metres of the Institute; the opportunity to interact with the wider community at Cambridge; and experienced staff who know what works, and who provide full support to organisers and participants to enable them to focus on their science. Visitor programmes are generally of six, four or one month's duration. There are usually two programmes running in parallel, each with around 20 scientists in residence. Programmes include particularly intense periods of instructional courses and workshops for 100 or more scientists, which are frequently held elsewhere in the UK, to maximise opportunity for the UK community and access for young scientists. The Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) is a group of distinguished scientists with very broad experience, who are at the heart of a rigorous process to ensure that every programme is of the highest quality. Any group of researchers can submit a proposal to the INI. Proposals are reviewed by up to eight referees. In forming their judgements, the SSC considers these reports in the context of the quality of the research proposed, its timeliness, the opportunities it offers to bring together different branches of mathematics and/ or application areas, demand from and value to the UK community, and the potential impact which the special environment of the INI can engender. The SSC also takes account of activities at other Institutes world-wide. Those proposals that are approved by the SSC are assigned a time slot up to three years ahead. The organisers, who usually include some or all of the proposers, work with INI staff to invite participants and to identify whatever special requirements the programme may have identified. INI staff help with all practical aspects, and their commitment is hugely appreciated by visitors. The collaborations established between UK scientists and with those from elsewhere often continue and bear fruit over a long period, a major dividend of INI programmes. Wherever appropriate, this will be fostered by continuing the recent development of following up previous programmes through short workshops etc. This is a well-established format, which has been exceptionally successful in the 69 programmes run to date: the interdisciplinary breadth of programmes is unique, and their quality and the unrivalled INI environment attract world-leading experts (including 25 Fields medallists and 8 Nobel Prize-winners). But the INI is not complacent, and a number of changes will be instigated to enhance the quality and value of programmes to the community and end-users:- The engagement with the National Advisory Board and the network of Correspondents will be significantly strengthened to ensure that they have the fullest opportunity to shape the activities of the INI so that it is responsive to their interests;- Drawing on their inputs, the Director and staff will enhance the support for the SSC, so that it can increasingly stimulate the development of future programmes, particularly where there may be simply no alternative way to bring apparently disparate fields fruitfully together.- Access will be widened by ensuring that the IT facilities are state-of-practice and that web material is enhanced. - The Director and staff will also develop a strategy for more effectively involving industry and professional interests in the activities of the INI, so that they can influence and benefit more directly from its activities.