Volume 57 Issue 07 September 2024
Students and Education

SIAM-IMA Student Chapters Hold Applied Mathematics Postgraduate Conference at the University of Warwick

By

In early July, the SIAM-IMA Student Chapters at the University of Warwick and the University of Oxford collaborated to jointly host the 2024 Applied Mathematics Postgraduate (AMP) Conference at the University of Warwick. The three-day event served as an engaging platform for early-career mathematicians to showcase their research and hone their communication skills. It attracted more than 50 postgraduate students with diverse backgrounds from over 20 distinct universities.

The theme of this year’s AMP Conference was “Effective Research Communication,” and the meeting focused on the art of conveying mathematical material to different audiences — namely policymakers, industry, and the public. The conference showcased a wide array of topics—including mathematical biology, stochastic analysis, network analysis, fluid dynamics, and machine learning—all of which illustrated the extensive scope of applied mathematics research in the U.K. and beyond. Participants presented their work in a supportive, inclusive environment via a series of contributed talks and a lively poster session.

The first day of the event featured a workshop that was led by Kat Phillips, an incoming postdoctoral researcher at the University of Warwick. The workshop equipped attendees with the necessary tools to communicate their technical research to non-specialist audiences — a crucial skill for engaging with the general public, decision-makers, and industry professionals. This type of dialogue directly influences society by broadening the impact of mathematical research beyond academic circles.

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Attendees of the 2024 Applied Mathematics Postgraduate Conference—which was hosted at the University of Warwick this July by the SIAM-IMA Student Chapters of the University of Warwick and the University of Oxford—gather for a group photo. Image courtesy of Yi Ting Loo.
The poster session at the 2024 Applied Mathematics Postgraduate Conference, which took place this July at the University of Warwick, provided an opportunity for early-career researchers to showcase their work and connect with colleagues. Image courtesy of Yi Ting Loo.
During the 2024 Applied Mathematics Postgraduate Conference—which took place at the University of Warwick this past July—Kat Phillips of the University of Warwick led a workshop that provided students with a variety of tools to effectively communicate their technical research to different audiences. Image courtesy of Phurinut Srisawad.
Workshop participants work together to explore best approaches for the communication of complex topics to non-specialist audiences at the 2024 Applied Mathematics Postgraduate Conference, which was held at the University of Warwick this July. Image courtesy of Phurinut Srisawad.
During the 2024 Applied Mathematics Postgraduate Conference, which took place this July at the University of Warwick, Michael Pearce of Neochromosome delivers a presentation that explores the question of “With No Biology Degree or Wet Lab Experience, What Does a Mathematician Really Do in a Bioinformatics Team?” Image courtesy of Phurinut Srisawad.

On the second and third day of festivities, Thomas Finnie of the U.K. Health Security Agency and Michael Pearce of Neochromosome delivered insightful presentations about communication efforts with policymakers and industry representatives. Finnie spoke about “Making Maths Matter: How Modelling Can Shape Action for Better Public Health Outcomes,” while Pearce answered the question of “With No Biology Degree or Wet Lab Experience, What Does a Mathematician Really Do in a Bioinformatics Team?” These inspiring talks underscored the importance of clear, impactful discourse to advance both scientific understanding and practical applications.

A key success of the AMP Conference is the commitment between two SIAM student chapter committees to provide an affordable, accessible opportunity for postgraduate students. Thanks to funding from the London Mathematical Society’s Postgraduate Research Conference Grants scheme and support from the University of Warwick’s Mathematics Research Centre, attendees were not charged a registration fee and received complimentary lodging and meals. This generous accommodation offered an invaluable opportunity for those who otherwise might not have been able to attend.

By assembling a diverse group of postgraduate students and providing a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas with seasoned experts, the 2024 AMP Conference emphasized the value of collaborative learning and professional growth in applied mathematics and other related fields. We look forward to future events from the SIAM-IMA Student Chapters at the University of Warwick and the University of Oxford and hope to continue the conversation.

About the Authors

Phurinut Sriawad

Ph.D. student, University of Warwick

Phurinut Sriawad is a Ph.D. student in the Mathematics for Real-World Systems Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Warwick. He is the social media officer of the University of Warwick SIAM-IMA Student Chapter.

Rachel Seibel

Ph.D. student, University of Warwick

Rachel Seibel is a Ph.D. student in the Mathematics for Real-World Systems Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Warwick. She is vice president of the University of Warwick SIAM-IMA Student Chapter.