Against the background of the Government’s plan to introduce a new national research framework as part of its National Innovation and Science Agenda, the question is how the mathematical science research community should respond to the fact that its engagement and impact activities will be assessed. For an enabling discipline such as mathematics, there are obvious challenges in this:  outside of applied mathematics and statistics, direct collaboration with industry is uncommon, and research commercialisation income is very low compared to other STEM disciplines.

So, how should we think about the impact of mathematical sciences research and what sort of engagement should we be undertaking?

This panel discussion is part of a full-day workshop aimed at preparing mathematical sciences departments and schools in Australia for the upcoming changes.  The panel will discuss

  • What engagement and impact mean in the context of mathematical sciences
  • How impact and engagement should be measured
  • Current structures for industry collaboration and how these can be built upon
  • How “blue sky” research fits into the picture and how the engagement and impact of fundamental research can be measured
  • Further thoughts and experiences relevant to these challenges

Speakers

Discussion leader: Professor Peter Taylor, Australian Laureate Fellow, University of Melbourne, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS)

Ms Leanne Harvey, ARC Acting Chief Executive Officer

Professor Kerrie Mengersen, Australian Laureate Fellow, Queensland University of Technology, Deputy Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS)

Professor Geoff Prince, Director of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI)

Professor Tim Marchant, Professor of Applied Mathematics and Dean of Research, University of Wollongong, President of the Australian Mathematical Society (AustMS)

Professor Jacqui Ramagge, Head, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sydney

How to participate in the panel discussion via ACE:

  1. Book your nearest ACE facilities;
  2. Notify Maaike Wienk at ace@amsi.org.au that you will be participating in the panel discussion.

(No access to an ACE room? contact Maaike Wienk for a Visimeet guest licence and instructions – limited licences availabe – first come first serve)