Introducing the Mathsci-comm network
Communicating Mathematical and Data Sciences – What does Success Look Like?
The Mathsci-comm network's first in-person workshop was held at the Isaac Newton Institute in Cambridge on November 21, 2024, co-organised by the Newton Gateway.
Speakers came from a range of fields, including economics, government, health, neuroscience, as well as mathematics and data science. The event brought together 100 participants from across academia, industry, government and the public sector.
Thanks to the INI for supporting this event through our Network grant, and to the Academy for Mathematical Sciences and the Knowledge Exchange Hub for Mathematical Sciences for also endorsing the event. You can find out more at the event page.
Climate change, artificial intelligence, disease modelling and public health – these are just a few of the huge societal issues that mathematical and data sciences are key to understanding and addressing. It is vital that those outside the research community – including policy makers, mainstream media, and the wider public – are informed about advances in these areas and are part of the discussions about such research. And researchers need professional help to communicate their research and engage with concerns from these wider audiences.
There is also a need to communicate to policy makers the importance of curiosity driven research across the mathematical sciences, particularly in pure mathematics, and the role this research has in driving forward the development of fundamental science that will underpin future advances in applied mathematics and data science, and innovations in technology.
The UK is fortunate to have a strong and lively community of mathematics popularisers whose aim is to enthuse audiences about mathematics generally, as well as strong networks on science communication. Those who communicate current research in the mathematical and data sciences can learn a lot from these communities, but do not always find a natural home in either. They are yet to build a comprehensive and linked-up community of their own, which enables sharing of best practice, exploitation of synergies, and the production of practical guidelines specific to the communication of research in mathematics, statistics and data science.
The highly successful Communicating Mathematics for the Public event developed and organised by the Newton Gateway to Mathematics in January 2023 took a crucial first step in this direction. We are pleased to build on this excellent foundation by launching the Mathsci-comm network.
Mathsci-comm aims to connect those working in, and with a stake in, communicating complex mathematics and data science to a variety of non-expert audiences. This includes researchers, media and communications professionals, those working in policy in government and non-government organisations. The network is funded by a Network Grant from the Isaac Newton Institute.
Primarily this will be done through informal channels including a slack workspace and informal monthly zoom meetings. We also intend to hold annual in-person workshops exploring specific themes with the intention of producing practical advice for researchers and research communicators, and identifying future work.
If you would like to apply to join the Mathsci-comm network please fill in this brief form. We are committed to creating an open and welcoming environment where everyone involved in the network feels able to participate freely - please see our code of conduct.