Ongoing initiatives

Correspondents Network

In 2002, at the suggestion of the then National Advisory Board, INI established a Network of Correspondents in UK Universities and other academic institutions who act as a channel of communication between the Institute and the mathematical sciences community in the UK. Correspondents are regularly informed about activities of the Institute and facilitate a valuable dialogue between INI and UK mathematical science and play a vital role in shaping the national role of INI.

Talks Elsewhere

All long-term participants in INI programmes are encouraged to give seminars at, or to make short visits to, UK institutions outside Cambridge during their stay. To take the academic year 2014/15 as an example, in that period 48 participants delivered a total of 79 seminars in 34 different institutions.

To support this activity, the Institute will cover the travel expenses involved for any participant who is formally invited to speak at another institution; the host institution is expected to cover any accommodation and incidental costs.

To assist organisers of seminar series at UK Universities in their search for relevant speakers, INI maintains a register of those of its participants who are visiting from overseas for a period of at least two weeks, and who have indicated their willingness to give lectures or seminars elsewhere during their stay. Arrangements are normally made directly with the speaker via the email address given, however, the Institute will be happy to assist in cases where there are difficulties in making direct arrangements.

Cambridge Festival

The Cambridge Festival is an annual celebration aimed at connecting the exciting work of Cambridge academics and scientists with the wider public. Offering “an eclectic mixture of over 350 events and activities: from panel discussions, film premieres, and self-guided walking tours, to ‘try this at home’ activities for the whole family” it is one of the most significant outreach events in the University’s calendar. INI has proudly taken part in this event since 2002, typically by hosting a public lecture by a significant mathematician, scientist or industry leader. Visit our Cambridge Festival page for a full list of past talks, many of which are available to view online.

Open for Business

Open for Business events form part of the Institute’s mission to foster links between academic research and the business world. The aim is to bring together academic researchers in the mathematical sciences with industrial, commercial and government organisations and individuals to enable formal and informal discussion and networking. Open for Business events are organised by the Newton Gateway to Mathematics and whenever appropriate with the Centre for Science and Policy. They are supported by the Higher Education Innovation Fund of the University of Cambridge.

Solidarity list for researchers in the Mathematical Sciences

Created as a direct response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the solidarity list is a message board designed to connect individuals and institutions wishing to offer assistance with those who are urgently in need of it. Strongly connected to this initiative is the INI-driven Solidarity for mathematicians programme, designed to give refuge to researchers in the mathematical sciences who have had to leave their country of residence

Junior Members

The Institute recognises that early-career researchers have much to contribute to and much to gain from Institute programmes and events. In order to maximise the information available to early-career researchers, and to facilitate their involvement in INI activities, there is a category of Junior Membership of the Newton Institute. To be eligible you must be a Research Student or within 5 years of having received a PhD (with appropriate allowance for career breaks) and you must work or study in a UK University, in a UK academic institution or in a R & D group in industry or commerce. Full details are available on the Junior Member webpage.

Summer Schools

INI has been running Summer Schools (as well as Autumn, Winter and Spring Schools) since its inception. These schools typically include tutorial sessions which provide an introduction to the field. Viewed as an invaluable resource not only to early career researchers but to the mathematical sciences community more broadly, seminars given during these sessions are referred to time and again as common ground from which to build a mathematical discussion both during and after the programme.

HoDoMS

HoDoMS (Heads of Departments of Mathematical Sciences) represents the heads of UK Higher Education departments of mathematical sciences. It aims to discuss and promote the interests of higher education mathematics and to facilitate dialogue between departments. All Heads of Departments of Mathematical Sciences are invited to subscribe annually to HoDoMS, the application form for which is hosted by INI on this website.

Academy for the Mathematical Sciences

INI, as part of the UK’s higher mathematics infrastructure, is supporting the Academy for Mathematical Sciences. First conceived in 2018 and then formally announced in 2022, the Academy’s aim is to become “an authoritative and persuasive voice for the whole of the mathematical sciences”.