The 100-strong cohort brings together the UK’s strongest mathematicians across academia, education, business, industry, and government to help solve some of the UK’s biggest challenges.
Much like Fellows of the other National Academies, the Fellows of the Academy for the Mathematical Sciences have been recognised for being leaders in their fields, through fundamental discoveries, exceptional work in education, or driving the application of mathematics across society as part of our critical national infrastructure.
The Fellows will continue to perform their roles in other institutions but will come together through the convening power of the Academy to help benefit the whole UK. Areas of focus will likely include:
- Working with experts across government, industry and the third sector to model the impact of climate change and advise on mitigations
- Supporting cross-disciplinary modelling to prepare for future diseases and pandemics
- Developing, and championing investment in, the new mathematics required for ensuring AI and the quantum technologies of tomorrow work safely and to the benefit of all
- Bringing together industry, academia, and educators to design maths curricula fit for tomorrow's economy and society.
- Keeping the UK safe through advances in cryptography and the mathematical foundations of national security
- Guiding the UK's green energy transition, advising on everything from grid capacity and system resilience to safe, large-scale energy storage
- Helping businesses and entrepreneurs harness mathematics to drive innovation, new products, and sustainable growth
- Strengthening national resilience by using mathematics to optimise infrastructure, improve public services, and forecast risks
Lord Vallance KCB FRS FMedSci FRCP HonFREng, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), said: “Mathematics sits at the heart of the UK’s scientific and technological strength and is essential to the development of the industries of the future, in exciting fields like AI and quantum.
“The Academy for the Mathematical Sciences’ inaugural Fellows represent the very best of this national capability, and I commend the Academy for bringing them together. Their expertise strengthens our security, boosts productivity and supports high-quality jobs across the country, so it is only right that they are celebrated.”
Professor Dame Alison Etheridge DBE FRS, the President of the Academy for Mathematical Sciences, said: “I’m delighted to welcome our inaugural Fellows – individuals of exceptional distinction who collectively advance the mathematical sciences through discovery, leadership, education and real-world application.
“As Fellows of the Academy, they will come together in service of the wider public good: bringing independent expertise to bear on national priorities, championing excellence in mathematics education, strengthening the UK’s research and innovation base, and helping to ensure that mathematics continues to deliver opportunity, resilience and prosperity across our four nations.”
Loughborough’s Emeritus Professor Chris Linton served as Head of the School of Mathematics, Dean of the Faculty of Science and, between 2011 and 2024, as Provost of the University. He also served for two years as President of the UK’s Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and is a Trustee of the charity National Numeracy. As well as a research career in wave diffraction theory, he has published four books on a variety of mathematical topics.
Speaking about his appointment as a Fellow, he said: “I am delighted to have been selected as one of the Academy's inaugural Fellows. It is vital that the UK harnesses the power of the mathematical sciences and I look forward to working with the Academy to achieve that.”