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

Mathematician, Associate Professor Artem Pulemotov of the University of Queensland, Research Fellow, Dr Matthew Faria of the University of Melbourne and Applied Mathematician, Dr Shannon Algar of the University of Western Australia were announced as part of STA鈥檚 new STEM Ambassador cohort this week, which consists of 17 Ambassadors.

STA Chief Executive Officer, Misha Shubert welcomed the new STEM Ambassadors and congratulated them on their selection from a highly competitive field.

鈥淭he STEM Ambassador program empowers experts to become effective advocated for science and the sector, and to use their expertise to inform polity to shape Australia鈥檚 future,鈥� said Shubert.

For more information, see聽 STA’s .