A statement on behalf of the London Mathematical Society by its President, Professor Ulrike Tillmann

The Society is horrified and outraged by the invasion of Ukraine by Russian government forces. The devastation inflicted on Ukraine and its people is appalling and the Society condemns it in the strongest possible terms. The Society also deplores the repression and persecution of any Russians brave enough to speak out against their government. The Society stands in solidarity with everyone affected.

The Society extends its congratulations to US mathematician Dennis P. Sullivan, who yesterday was awarded the 2022 Abel Prize. Professor Sullivan is most well-known for his groundbreaking work on topology and dynamical systems, two fields in which ideas about geometric structure play a central role.

The Society is delighted that in today’s Spring Statement, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the definition of research and development (R&D) for tax reliefs will be expanded by clarifying that pure mathematics is a qualifying cost. This will support the growing volume of R&D underpinned by mathematical advances.

The latest Northern Agenda newsletter includes a blog written by LMS Education Secretary Kevin Houston about the ‘counting on the chancellor’ campaign ahead of next week’s spring budget statement. The Northern Agenda is the newsletter received by subscribers of the north’s biggest regional papers, including The Manchester Evening News, The Liverpool Echo and the Newcastle Chronicle.

Read the article from LMS President Ulrike Tillmann, written with three other senior figures in the mathematical sciences, which was published in the Times Higher Education supplement today: 'Mathematics needs to find the formula for gender equality'. Please note the article is behind a paywall.

On this International Women’s Day, the Society recognises and champions the ongoing importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in the mathematical sciences research community.