For policy makers
The mathematical sciences are becoming ever more important as key tools in understanding and addressing societal and individual challenges — from artificial intelligence to climate change and public and individual health. At the same time, mathematics remains one of the hardest fields to access for people who are not already experts.
Policy makers are often confronted with complex mathematical concepts and applications of mathematics and data science. Their task is to make decisions based on the evidence provided or to decide if and how advances powered by mathematics may be used for the public good.
Our aim is to support policy makers by providing a gateway to mathematics and related sciences, in particular to current research in these fields. On this page you will find links to content that explains key concepts relevant to a range of areas in just a few words.
On artificial intelligence
The rise of artificial intelligence is simultaneously exciting and worrying and presents a range of opportunities and challenges. Research in AI relies on developments in computer science and technology, but the techniques under the hood if AI are mathematics. You can find out some of the basics, and some of the current research, in these articles.
Maths in a minute: Machine learning and neural networks
A quick intro to the maths that powers AI.
Artificial intelligence and deep learning: Your questions answered
From one sentence explainers to in-depth explorations, our FAQ guides you through the world of AI.
Our latest content:
Talking about truth with ChatGPT
How confident is the Large Language Model chatbot that its answers are correct? And how confident can we be about this confidence? This article investigates.
See all our content on artificial intelligence and machine learning
On health and medicine
The mathematical sciences inform health and medicine in a variety of ways. Statistics is essential to understand the risk we face from diseases and to assess the harms and benefits of medical treatments. Mathematical models help us understand the danger posed by infectious diseases, and the inner workings of our bodies. As the driving force behind artificial intelligence, mathematics may well revolutionise healthcare. Our content is designed to help you understand some of the concepts involved.
Disease modelling for beginners
Find out more about how mathematical models help us understand epidemics and decide which measures to take to stop them.
Evaluating a medical treatment: How do you know it works?
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are the cornerstone of health statistics. Find out how they work in this article.
Understanding uncertainty: The many ways of spinning risk
Learn about some of the pitfalls of using statistics, particularly related to health and medicine.
Our latest content:
Living Proof: Building digital hearts
A digital heart might sound like science fiction, but these personalised mathematical descriptions of patients' hearts are already being put to the test.
On climate change
In the midst of a climate crisis mathematical models help us understand the impact climate change is likely to have on us and our planet and assess the impact of efforts to try and curb it. Find out more about basic concepts, as well as current research, in these articles.
Climate change: Does it all add up?
How do you go about predicting something as complex as the Earth's climate? This article explores how climate models work.
How to predict our changing climate
Hear from two climate modelling experts, Emily Shuckburgh and Chris Budd, about climate modelling, the uncertainties involved, and why the predictions need to be taken seriously despite those uncertainties.
Our latest content:
It's all connected – climate change and the spread of diseases
We know climate change can impact our lives through weather events and food security, but it can also impact on the spread of diseases. We talk to Helena Stage from the University of Bristol to find out more.
On mathematical modelling
Mathematical modelling is one the most powerful tools in science and engineering. It plays a vital role in the three topics mentioned on this page, but in many areas too. Here is some content which explains how it works
Maths in a minute: Mathematical models
Maths in a minute: Numerical weather prediction
Find out how models are used to predict the weather.
Maths in a minute: The logistic map
Learn how to model a population of animals and find out about chaos theory in the process.
Climate modelling made easy
Our latest content
Living Proof: Building digital hearts
A digital heart might sound like science fiction, but these personalised mathematical descriptions of patients' hearts are already being put to the test.