Based on evidence published in the “The State of Mathematical Sciences 2020: 7th discipline profile of mathematics and statistics in Australia” ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï proposes immediate action in three areas of priority in line with ½ñÈճԹϒs long-term strategic goals for the mathematical sciences in Australia:
– Equity and diversity
– Mathematical education
– Industry engagement in university teaching and research

These priority areas inform ½ñÈճԹϒs current advocacy for the mathematical sciences and add to its ongoing programs to support mathematical research and education in schools and at universities.

AUSTRALIA NEEDS TO EMBRACE MATHEMATICS
From the classroom to the industry frontline, Australia’s mathematics pipeline runs through a number of jurisdictions. By the time it reaches the challenges of employer demand and national adult numeracy aspirations, a lack of oversight and maintenance by its various owners has slowed the flow to a trickle, like a twenty-year drought.

See also our publication

AUSTRALIA NEEDS TO EMBRACE MATHEMATICS
From the classroom to the industry frontline, Australia’s mathematics pipeline runs through a number of jurisdictions. By the time it reaches the challenges of employer demand and national adult numeracy aspirations, a lack of oversight and maintenance by its various owners has slowed the flow to a trickle, like a twenty-year drought.

See also our publication

This is an exciting time in Australia for the mathematical sciences, and for science, technology and engineering. We have before us the Chief Scientist’s proposal for a comprehensive plan for STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: Australia’s Future — and a government which is responding to it. The next 12 months will tell if we can shrug off a history of piecemeal policies and programs tied to the electoral cycle. Will we move forward in a strategic way that connects long term strategies for innovation and competitiveness, education and training, research and international engagement, all underpinned by a commitment to STEM, or fail where our competitors are succeeding?

See also our publication 

The mathematical sciences are of critical importance to our human and economic capital. By many measures Australia has been running a mathematical deficit for years: low adult numeracy, falling numbers of trained teachers and worsening school performance, low participation by women, a critically low number of graduates, lack of access for regional and low SES areas and uneven uptake of mathematical and statistical capacity by business.

Demand for mathematical and statistical skills far outstrips falling supply, and maintaining Australia’s international competitiveness, security, population health and climate stability requires a mathematically literate population. New policies and action are needed now to bring Australia into mathematical surplus.

See also our publication Discipline Profile of the Mathematical Sciences 2014

Cutting-edge developments in science, technology, medicine, commerce and management rely increasingly on sophisticated inputs from mathematical scientists. Examples are abundant. In biotechnology, mathematics is said to be the microscope of the future, airlines make extensive use of advanced optimisation techniques to gain a competitive edge in a fierce market, stochastic modeling predicts behaviour in the stockmarket, while increasingly complex algorithms are required to ensure digital security. The means to stabilise the earth’s climate over long periods will require self-consistent forward mathematical modeling. The mathematical sciences are of critical importance across a wide range of strategic areas.

This document was originally created for the national forum “Maths for the Future: Keep Australia Competitive” held in Canberra in February 2012. It should be read in conjunction with ½ñÈճԹϒs Discipline Profile of the Mathematical Sciences 2013.

Mathematical sciences institutes and centres have become internationally recognised as an effective means of providing the infrastructure for both discipline-based and cross-disciplinary research essential for innovation and training across many areas.

Australia is perhaps unique among developed countries with which we are usually compared in having no mathematical research institutes. Canada for example has three, plus a large industrial and applied mathematics network of centres. This document makes the case for such a centre to be established in Australia. The following pages document:

• The evidence for action
• A vision for the Centre
• The programs proposed
• Proposed budget

An accompanying document draws on examples from other nations that illustrate the programs and contributions that collaborative centres can make.