Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences

艾萨克·牛顿数学科学研究所（INI）致力于使英国数学家和其他研究人员能够在主题项目中与来自世界各地最优秀的科学家进行互动。参与者的环境确实是特殊的：一个专门的和专门设计的建筑；办公室、计算机和一流的图书馆支持，包括在研究所50米范围内的35,000本数学科学书籍；与剑桥更广泛的社区互动的机会；还有经验丰富的工作人员，他们知道什么是有效的，他们为组织者和参与者提供充分的支持，使他们能够专注于他们的科学。访问学者课程一般为6个月、4个月或1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。项目包括特别密集的教学课程和100名或更多科学家的研讨会，这些课程和研讨会经常在英国其他地方举行，以最大限度地为英国社区和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，他们是确保每个项目都具有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。提案将由多达8名评审人进行评审。在形成他们的判断时，SSC会考虑这些报告所提出的研究的质量、及时性、它提供的将不同数学分支和/或应用领域结合在一起的机会、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。南南合作委员会还考虑到世界各地其他研究所的活动。那些被SSC批准的提案被分配到一个长达三年的时间段。组织者通常包括部分或全部的申请者，他们与INI工作人员一起邀请参与者，并确定项目可能确定的任何特殊要求。INI工作人员在所有实际方面提供帮助，他们的承诺得到了游客的极大赞赏。英国科学家之间以及与其他国家科学家之间建立的合作经常在很长一段时间内继续并取得成果，这是INI项目的一个主要红利。在适当情况下，将通过举办短期讲习班等继续最近发展的对以前方案的后续行动来促进这一点。这是一种行之有效的模式，迄今为止在69个项目中取得了非凡的成功：项目的跨学科广度是独一无二的，它们的质量和无与伦比的INI环境吸引了世界领先的专家（包括25位菲尔兹奖获得者和8位诺贝尔奖获得者）。但国际咨询中心并不满足于此，将进行一些改革，以提高面向社区和最终用户的方案的质量和价值：-将大大加强与国家咨询委员会和通讯员网络的接触，以确保他们有充分的机会塑造国际咨询中心的活动，使其符合他们的利益；-根据他们的投入，主任和工作人员将加强对南南合作委员会的支持，使其能够越来越多地促进未来方案的发展，特别是在可能根本没有其他办法将明显不同的领域有效地结合在一起的情况下。-我们会确保资讯科技设施符合最新水平，并加强网上资料的质素，以扩大查阅资料的范围。-主任和工作人员还将制定一项战略，使工业界和专业人士更有效地参与国家信息中心的活动，使他们能够更直接地影响国家信息中心的活动并从中受益。

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.