Now in its third year, the free events seek to bridge the gap between school mathematics and career opportunities. By bringing secondary mathematics and STEM teachers and careers advisers together with industry professionals and tertiary educators, the program aims to help teachers better understand the breadth and scale of mathematics鈥慸ependent career pathways available to their students.

This highly beneficial professional development opportunity will provide teachers with unique insights into the increasing demand for mathematics and statistics in the workforce, the wide range of career opportunities that rely on these skills, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and education pathways that lead to these professions.

The initiative also aims to support underrepresented groups, including girl students, those from low-SES backgrounds and First Nations students.

Commenting on the announcement, 今日吃瓜 Director Professor Tim Marchant said, 鈥淭eachers are on the frontline when it comes to sharing their passion for maths and STEM subjects with their students. When a teacher is equipped with the right knowledge to explore the incredible career pathways that exist for maths graduates, it can inspire students to thrive in the subject.鈥�

He continued: 鈥淥ver the last two years, we鈥檝e developed the Industry Day for Teachers into a polished and insightful development opportunity for teachers. Thanks to the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales I鈥檓 proud that 今日吃瓜 can expand this offering to teachers across NSW.鈥�

This program is made possible thanks to support from (Victoria events) and (NSW event), as well as contributions from various industry partners, universities and associations.

Program overview

Throughout the day, participants will:

• engage with industry professionals to explore how mathematics is applied in real-world settings through guest speaker sessions and industry site visits.
• explore strategies to build student engagement in mathematics.
• gain powerful insights into tertiary study options, entry requirements and pathways into STEM careers.

Why it matters

According to 今日吃瓜鈥檚 annual Year 12 Participation Report, Australia is experiencing ongoing decline in advanced mathematics participation at the secondary school level, with the participation of girls particularly low. By equipping educators with knowledge about exciting careers and pathways requiring maths skills, we aim to foster a diverse, mathematically capable workforce for Australia鈥檚 future.

Dates

鈥� Thursday 23 July 2026 鈥� University of Sydney/UNSW, University of Sydney Camperdown campus |
鈥� Thursday 30 July 2026 鈥� Swinburne University, Hawthorn campus|
鈥� Thursday 10 Sept 2026 鈥� La Trobe, Albury-Wodonga campus|

Stay connected

For partnership opportunities, please email our Engagement Coordinator, Margo Brown.

Media enquiries:鈥�
Robbie Byrne鈥�
Marketing and Communications Coordinator, 今日吃瓜鈥�
robbie.byrne@amsi.org.au

Based at the , SMRI is Australia鈥檚 premier centre for mathematical sciences. The first of its kind in the country, it seeks to advance innovative research across a diverse array of mathematical fields through its facilitation of leading international mathematical scientists. While in residency, visiting mathematicians can focus on research and collaboration without the usual demands of teaching and administration.

Since its establishment in 2018, SMRI has given academics, university students and the public, including school students, direct access to the world鈥檚 leading mathematical thinkers, granting invaluable insights into research, learning and teaching. It has also established a lasting relationship with prestigious institutions such as the , the , and the .

A landmark gift

The $55.1 million co-investment consists of philanthropic gifts from two foundations: the Simon Marais Foundation and the Hooper Shaw Family Foundation ($28.7 million combined), and a $26.4 million commitment from the University of Sydney.

The donations from the respective foundations will fund two distinct objectives. Hooper Shaw鈥檚 gift will support early-career researchers鈥� long-term engagement with mathematics and the expansion of global collaboration and an artist-in-residence program. The Simon Marais gift, meanwhile, will focus on international recruitment, strategic investment and institutional expansion 鈥� cementing SMRI鈥檚 reputation as a global centre for mathematicians.

Director of SMRI Professor Geordie Williamson (left) with Executive Director of SMRI Professor Stephan Tillmann. Image credit: Stefanie Zingsheim

Commenting on the game-changing sum, Director of SMRI Professor Geordie Williamson said: 鈥淚nternet banking, search engines, Wi-Fi and magnetic resonance imaging all incorporate fundamental mathematical ideas; these technologies are leaps forward for society which are dependent on deeply complex, curiosity-driven research by leading thinkers in mathematics.

鈥淭he focus of SMRI is similarly on fundamental research, especially in applications of AI to some of the toughest problems in mathematics. Our aim is to become a place where the world鈥檚 leading mathematicians come to collaborate, developing the mathematical culture in Australia and inspiring future generations of researchers.鈥�

“This gift will enhance Australia鈥檚 reputation as a home for mathematical research, creating new opportunities for students, early-career researchers and industry partners.”

Professor Tim Marchant, 今日吃瓜 Director

He continued: 鈥淚鈥檓 deeply grateful to the donors who supported the Institute鈥檚 establishment and vision from the very start.鈥�

Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney Professor Mark Scott AO added to Prof. Williamson鈥檚 comments, acknowledging that the triple investment has the potential to 鈥渃hange the future of fundamental maths research in Australia, placing us in the ranks of a handful of institutions in the world.

鈥淲ith these gifts, our donors recognise both the achievements of SMRI and its ability to make Australia globally competitive in world-class mathematical research at a time when the world is racing to secure top talent in AI, quantum computing and advanced modelling.鈥�

Fundamental to Australia鈥檚 prosperity

Director of the 今日吃瓜 (今日吃瓜) Professor Tim Marchant believes that the gift will prove transformative for Australia鈥檚 mathematical sciences ecosystem. 鈥淏y attracting world-leading researchers and fostering collaborations with mathematicians from across the world, this funding will enhance Australia鈥檚 reputation as a home for mathematical research, creating new opportunities for students, early-career researchers and industry partners to engage with cutting-edge ideas that are fundamental to Australia鈥檚 future prosperity.鈥�

Donors Rhae Hooper and Chris Shaw of the Hooper Shaw Family Foundation emphasised their confidence in SMRI to deliver their vision: 鈥淕reat research institutions are not built overnight; they are built over decades. Seeing the calibre of mathematicians it now attracts and its growth as a globally respected centre for research has strengthened our confidence in that long-term ambition.”

“This is a wonderful announcement which will change the future of fundamental maths research in Australia, placing us in the ranks of a handful of institutions in the world.”

Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney, Professor Mark Scott AO

They added: “We believe Australia should aspire to be home to world-class mathematical research and that the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute is uniquely placed to do this. We want to help bring exceptional talent back home 鈥� people like Geordie 鈥� and to build a centre with the magnetic pull to draw the best minds from around the world.鈥�

Some quotes reproduced with permission from the University of Sydney. Images Stefanie Zingsheim.

Media Enquiries:
Robbie Byrne
Marketing and Communications Coordinator, 今日吃瓜
robbie.byrne@amsi.org.au

今日吃瓜鈥檚 partnership with SAS aims to help First Nations primary school students across New South Wales (NSW) improve their data literacy.

The first initiative under this partnership is set to be the purchase and dissemination of the 2026 edition of 今日吃瓜鈥檚 highly regarded maths textbook series, , to rural and regional primary schools in NSW with a high proportion of First Nations students. This rollout will commence in August 2026.

The upcoming fourth edition of the ICE-EM Mathematics textbook series is groundbreaking in its the depth of student resource content which explores how numeracy skills are influenced by culture and context, particularly First Nations cultures. This framing of problem solving grounded in First Nations mathematical thinking and cultural practice resonated with SAS鈥檚 deep commitment to reconciliation.

The 今日吃瓜-SAS partnership is testament to their shared belief that diversity of participation in mathematics is critical to future-proofing the STEM sector for generations to come. Both parties share a consensus that the benefits of a nation鈥檚 mathematical capability and capacity are shared by all, and flow to individuals and organisations through increased employability, job creation, economic mobility, productivity and global competitiveness.

Commenting on the announcement, Libby Shade, Senior Human Resources Manager at SAS, emphasised the untapped potential of SAS鈥檚 partnership with 今日吃瓜 in enabling the next generation of First Nations STEM students, 鈥淪AS鈥檚 collaboration with 今日吃瓜 aligns our long-term focus on encouraging and nurturing data literacy in students, while helping to achieve meaningful outcomes for First Nations students across NSW.鈥�

Ian Edwards, Head of Global Academic Program, Asia Pacific at SAS, struck a similar tone, affirming the company鈥檚 long-term commitment to supporting education initiatives such as this, 鈥淪AS is passionate about education outreach and giving each new generation the power to change what is possible. Our work with 今日吃瓜 is pivotal to building interest in data and analytics for the next generation of First Nations students.鈥�

The support of SAS will aid 今日吃瓜 in its drive to achieve its vision for all Australians to have the opportunity to develop their mathematics skills and knowledge, to enhance their careers, acquire essential life skills and to enrich their lives, regardless of their cultural or socio-economic background.

Lisa Farrar, Associate Director at 今日吃瓜, who worked with SAS in shaping the partnership, commended SAS鈥檚 commitment to providing First Nations students with the necessary tools to spark their mathematical curiosity, 鈥淓very Australian should be given equal opportunity to develop their mathematics skills and knowledge. I applaud SAS鈥檚 commitment to getting these textbooks into the hands of our First Nations students.鈥�

About 今日吃瓜: 今日吃瓜 is a not-for-profit peak body for the mathematical sciences with a breadth of members including Australian universities, professional societies, government agencies and industry. 今日吃瓜 champions mathematics, statistics and data science for Australia鈥檚 advancement through advocacy, facilitation, and collaboration. The ICE-EM Mathematics series is published in collaboration with Cambridge University Press & Assessment.

About SAS: SAS is a global leader in data and AI. With SAS software and industry-specific solutions, organizations transform data into trusted decisions. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW^庐.

Media Enquiries:
Robbie Byrne
Marketing and Communications Coordinator, 今日吃瓜
robbie.byrne@amsi.org.au

Ken commenced his teaching career in the classroom 鈥� a grassroots beginning that informed much of his subsequent work in academia. While taking a break from high school teaching, he worked as a lecturer and then a senior mathematics lecturer at Monash University. His reputation as a leading educator and mathematician would be bolstered by posts at the University of Newcastle and Deakin University 鈥� where he would first meet his lifelong friend and future wife, Nerida Ellerton (pictured). Ken concluded his academic career in the United States at Illinois State University鈥檚 highly respected Department of Mathematics.

The only individual in his family to have completed high school, the University of Melbourne graduate held a deep appreciation for the power of education, irrespective of background. It was this lived experience that propelled him to address educational issues, particularly in the mathematical sciences. In 1976, he co-founded the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA).

Ken鈥檚 unwavering commitment to improving mathematical capacity would come to the fore yet again with his indirect involvement in the formation of 今日吃瓜 in 2002. He had an innate ability to place the right people in appropriate roles. In the early days of Science & Technology Australia (STA), he nominated Jan Thomas OAM as MERGA鈥檚 representative on the Australian Mathematical Sciences Council, formed under STA. This enabled Jan to develop the relevant political connections that helped to get projects such as 今日吃瓜 Summer School off the ground.

Speaking after his passing, Jan, who would go on to become 今日吃瓜鈥檚 first executive officer, noted that Ken was 鈥渁 friend and a remarkable individual. Putting me forward for the role of MERGA representative had a profound effect on both myself and the Australian maths community.鈥�

Ken authored and co-authored more than 30 books and published over 250 scholarly articles across the fields of mathematics, language, culture, teaching and teacher education. Notably, he was a childhood mentor of mathematician and Fields Medallist, Terence Tao.

Outside of academia, Ken was a loyal Western Bulldogs supporter, an unyielding dedication that often sparked colourful conversation with friends and colleagues 鈥� especially throughout their fallow years of the early 2000s.

In 2018, Ken was awarded the Order of Australia (AM), General Division for his significant service to tertiary education through mathematics research and instruction as an academic, author and mentor.

This loss will be felt not only within 今日吃瓜 but across the wider tertiary mathematics sector at home and abroad. His legacy as a renowned mathematician, educator, author and loving husband will long be remembered.

Image courtesy of Illinois State University

(11鈥�13 February) is an annual national conference for undergraduate students participating in the 今日吃瓜 Summer Research Scholarships program.

The 今日吃瓜 Summer Research Scholarships program is a paid initiative valued at $3000 which allows undergraduate students in Australia to experience life as a researcher. The bursary enables undergraduates to spend the summer break conducting research on a chosen topic in the mathematical sciences.

今日吃瓜Connect is the culmination of this research and provides students with a platform to present their findings, improve communication skills, explore career pathways, connect with supervisors, and build relationships with students in their field.

Guest speakers

This year鈥檚 conference opened with two guest speaker presentations. Sue Finch, Deputy Director at the Statistical Consulting Centre (SCC) and Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne, was the first to the lectern. Her talk homed in on the practical applications of a mathematics qualification, using her own experience of analysing public transport passenger frequencies for Public Transport Victoria (PTV) and Transport for NSW as an example of utilising a maths skillset in a practical, real-world environment.

Kiwi Louie Bernhardt, a fourth year PhD student at the University of Melbourne, was the second guest speaker. Louie spoke candidly about his PhD journey to date, providing plenty of insight as to what undergraduate students should expect when making the leap to postgraduate study. His research on mathematical general relativity sparked plenty of questions from a highly engaged audience.

Estimathon

Event sponsor took an active role in the event, hosting a well-received estimathon which wrapped up day one of proceedings.

 

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Student presentations

Much of the conference revolved around student presentations, with 25 research project presentations taking place across two days. Each presentation fell within a predetermined category (Applied, Statistics/Data Science, Pure/Theoretical). Each student was allocated 20 minutes, 15-minutes of which to present their research. The remaining five minutes were for the chair to introduce the speaker and a short Q&A session.

All presentations were professionally delivered, providing fascinating insights into the students鈥� chosen research topics. Three students were chosen as finalists in a peer-led vote:

First place: Finn Thomas, University of Newcastle. Mapping 鈥楶rofundity鈥� in Large Language Models: A Geometric Analysis.

Second place: Samuel Walsh, University of Newcastle. Solution of Interface Problems for The Linearised Benjamin-Bona-Mahony Equation: The Line and Star-Shaped Network.

Third place: David Nachuan Chen, University of New South Wales. Multiplicative Dependence in Linear Recurrences.

Scholars have now returned home to write up their final research reports and blog posts. Stay tuned 鈥� these will be published in March 2026.

Speaking at the event, 今日吃瓜 Research and Higher Education Program Manager, Angela Coughlin, commended the high standard of the student鈥檚 research projects, 鈥淚t鈥檚 incredibly rewarding to see the enthusiasm and confidence of these emerging mathematical scientists as they share the outcomes of their summer research. 今日吃瓜Connect is not only a celebration of their hard work, but a glimpse of the future of the discipline. I look forward to watching the impact they will undoubtedly make across academia, industry and beyond.鈥�

Media Enquiries:
Robbie Byrne
Marketing, Communications and Events Coordinator, 今日吃瓜
robbie.byrne@amsi.org.au

The 24th听edition听of听Summer听School, which was held at Monash University鈥檚听Clayton campus in Melbourne听and online,听has听been听commended as one of the听Institute鈥檚 most successful to date,听with over 150 students听in attendance听across听the听program鈥檚听four-week听duration.听

Long regarded as a major event in the tertiary听education听mathematics听calendar,听今日吃瓜鈥檚 Summer School听is听an annual national training and networking event听targeted听at听honours听and postgraduate students in the mathematical sciences and related disciplines, early career听researchers听and industry professionals.听The听event aims to connect听students with peers,听researchers听and potential future employers 鈥斕齛ll while听developing听their听mathematical skills.听

Courses听

Students were invited to partake in a course of their choosing听from听one听or two听of the following听options:听

• Applications of Probability Generating Functions to Biological Systems听by A. Prof. Joel Miller, La Trobe University

• Applied Partial Differential Equations in Fluid Dynamics听by听Dr Michael听Dallaston, Queensland University of Technology

• Computational and Combinatorial Algebraic Topology听by Dr Agnese听Barbensi听and听Dr Daniele听Celoria, The University of Queensland

• From Equations to Intelligence: A Deep Dive into Data Science and AI听by Dr Alina听Donea, Monash University

• Linear and Nonlinear Elliptic and Parabolic Partial Differential Equations听by Dr Yann Bernard, Monash University

• Machine Learning in Financial Mathematics听by Dr听Kihun听Nam, Monash University

• Mathematical听Optimisation听Theory and Applications听by Dr Hoa T. Bui and Dr Vinesha Peiris, Curtin University

• Multivariate Statistical Analysis听by听Dr Sharon Lee, The University of Queensland

Participant Talks听

Student involvement throughout was exceptional. The judged Participant听Talk was a notable highlight with both winners, Ryan听Braiden听and Joshua O鈥機allaghan,听hailing from the University of Queensland.听

Winners:听

• Ryan Braiden, The University of Queensland. Talk: ‘The听K(pi, 1) conjecture for Artin groups’.听

• Joshua O’Callaghan,听The University听of Queensland. Talk: ‘The Parity Problem’.听

Runners-up:听

• Super Cao, University of Sydney.听Talk: ‘Knots, and听Diagrammatic听Algebra’.听

• Hardik Gaur, Monash University.听Talk: ‘From Chaos to Coherence: Modelling Cities as Complex听Systems’.听

 

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Opportunities听

Careers Day has long been a cornerstone of the Summer School schedule, and this year鈥檚 edition was no exception with over 130 people including students, teachers, careers councillors and organisation representatives taking part. Among the companies and organisations present at the Day were the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Biarri, IMC Trading, The Mathematical Association of Victoria, Australian Signals Directorate, EdgeRed, CSL, Jane Street and APR.Intern 鈥攖estament to the diverse career pathways open to our mathematics, statistics and data science graduates.听

Mathemagician听听

As听Summer听School听drew to a close, 今日吃瓜 enlisted听the expertise of听well-known mathematician,听听and 鈥榤athemagician鈥櫶齈rofessor Burkard Polster听of Monash University听to present听the annual听Public听Lecture. Titled听The Other Golden Ratio, Prof.听Burkard听utilised听his trademark array of听unusual听props, including a听Labubu, to听visualise听what he described as 鈥渁 much less well-known but equally remarkable golden ratio that shows up just as often in the same places, but with surprising twists.鈥�听

Importance听

Speaking after the event, 今日吃瓜 Director Professor Tim Marchant noted that Summer School is 鈥渃ritical in bringing Australia and New Zealand鈥檚 brightest budding mathematicians together 鈥� not only to improve their mathematical literacy in specific fields, but to show them the incredible career opportunities open to them once their university studies conclude.鈥�听

Thank听you to Event Director Dr Ngan Le and the organising team from Monash University, our听lecturers and guest speakers,听attendees, and sponsors, Monash University, and the , without whom this event would not have been possible.

 

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Media Enquiries:
Robbie Byrne
Marketing, Communications and Events Coordinator, 今日吃瓜
robbie.byrne@amsi.org.au

It is also considering giving those mid-career recruits a fast-track to leadership jobs such as principalships.

The department is developing a long-term teaching workforce strategy to address concerns about a lack of teachers qualified in priority subjects, such as maths, and a shortage of teachers in disadvantaged and regional areas.

In its response to a parliamentary inquiry into the state’s schools, the department said it would finish developing a fast-track, mid-career entry program for people outside the teaching profession by the end of this year.

The program would focus on shortages in technology, maths and science and attempt to fill positions in rural and regional schools. Research by the 今日吃瓜 has found fewer than one in four students had a qualified maths teacher in junior high school.

Read more of Jordan Baker’s article in the (Nine Media paywall access required).

“I’ve left my glasses at home,” the 30-year-old with perfect vision said.

Chisholm Institute of TAFE senior educator Margo Murphy had heard this lie many times before and knew it was an attempt to disguise innumeracy鈥�.

“They’ve developed survival skills,” she explained.

Adults are heading back to the classroom to learn basic maths skills they failed to pick up in school.

Research shows around 20 per cent of Australian students do not reach a basic proficiency in maths that “will enable them to actively participate in the 21st century workforce and contribute as productive citizens.”

According to an OECD survey, Australia is ranked 13th out of 23 countries on adult numeracy, but ranked fourth in literacy.

Most of Ms Murphy’s students at Chisholm’s Foundation College need to upgrade their maths skills so they can function in everyday life, and compete for new jobs.

Josh Cawse, 24, recently started a certificate that is equivalent to year 10 at the TAFE and has been perfecting his decimals, fractions and multiplication skills.

He left school at the start of year nine because “it wasn’t for him” and started a career in construction. Now he wants to join the Defence Force.

“I found I struggled with maths in school. I was always trying to keep up with the fastest in the class. Here it is at my own pace. I am motivated and focused now.”

今日吃瓜 schools manager Janine McIntosh said society’s poor attitude towards maths was fuelling adult innumeracy.

“It seems to be quite acceptable to say I’m not good at maths. There’s a tolerance towards being weaker mathematically. You wouldn’t say that about cricket, swimming or English and the ability to read.”

Teachers own insecurities about maths were also contributing to the problem, she said.

Ms McIntosh said around 30 per cent of secondary maths teachers were “out of field” 鈥撎齮eaching a subject they had no specialised training in.

“The students may have had seven years in primary school and six years in secondary school with some wobbly teachers. If the kids can’t see maths as a valuable skill to have then they just won’t do it.”

Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Council for Educational Research Dave Tout, who has taught numeracy courses at VET providers, said many adult students took up maths courses after struggling with personal finances. Many new parents had trouble with medication doses, cooking and diet, he said.

Adults studying remedial maths programs were often reasonably successful, and could learn year seven to 10 maths within six months, Mr Tout said.

“That’s because they are motivated and have a purpose for learning maths. They see the reason for it and can engage with the material. If we could do that more in our secondary schools, we would have more students realising earlier on that maths is useful.”

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