Mathematics is not redundant

Math is not redundant. Applied research cannot evolve without underlying foundations in pure mathematics. Security relies on understanding number theory. Modeling of catastrophes relies on rigorous understanding of singularity formation. Every aspect of our lives is governed by mathematical laws.

This is dangerous

What are you talking about? No Foco and No Theoretical Math = NO AI and No Data Science and No Computational modeling advance !!!!

Bizarre.

This is very poor judgement. Is the management aware that a University without pure maths begins to loose its credibility as a "serious" research University?

The interplay between what are called pure and applied mathematics is extensive and important. The work of Michael Atiyah himself was a prime example. The new VC works in signal processing, as I have. This is underpinned, like physics, by some very abstract mathematical theories such as Fourier and functional analysis and information theory. But it also stimulates, as does physics, developments in pure mathematics, such as sampling theory, frame theory and wavelets. Innovative research, like many things, requires diversity. Closing down pure mathematics research would reduce intellectual diversity in the university and would hinder successful research activity in more than just AI, computational modelling, digitalisation and data science.

The idea to suppress research in pure mathematics sounds incredible. It reveals an extreme short-sightedness of the University administation

As a statistician who has worked both in a separate Department of Applied Statistics and a very small Statistics group in a Department of Mathematics, I have personal experience of the difficulties of trying to run statistics programmes (from UG to research) without the support of researchers in pure mathematics, as well as the benefits of having researchers in pure mathematics in the same department. It is particularly difficult to understand at this time when statistics, data science, artificial intelligence and many other areas are becoming more dependent on pure mathematics than ever, as reflected by recent increases in EPSRC funding for mathematics, both pure and applied. I urge the Executive Board to reconsider this decision.

Having worked in Computing or Informatics departments for several decades, with some research specifically in AI, I would like to say that, in my experience, Pure Mathematics has been vital to the development of AI. I think you would severely deplete the reservoir from which AI research drinks if you no longer have Pure Mathematics research at Leicester.

There is a large overlap between math and the theory computing. Why not hire faculty that will foster such collaboration?

How any administration can "shaping for excellence" by fighting the most important fundamental science? This is absurd.

This math-exit is such a bad idea.

I work as an AI & Data Scientist in the industry sector looking to get back into academic research for the very reason written here. The majority of algorithms and developments in the applied field can or already have come from the pure mathematics sector. The missing pieces are the most exciting places for future research! Getting rid of pure mathematics will not enhance but diminish the capacity of academia to prepare future researchers for those very fields.

Ignorant and dangerously stupid.

As an applied mathematician who has worked in the private sector, I cannot overstate how much a solid background in pure mathematics has contributed to the growth of my concrete problem-solving skills. Appeals to "pragmatism" based on the grossly exaggerated pure/applied math dichotomy are by no means a justification for switching a department's research focus. The decision-makers in Leicester's admin should sit in on a pure mathematics course, they may learn some critical thinking skills relevant to this situation.

This is an incredibly short sighted initiative. In the last five years I lectured data science courses to both computer science and mathematics students. The foundational background that some of them have is instrumental for a deep understanding of this area and for allowing the future professionals to make innovative contributions to the field. Data science and machine learning can and must build on high quality mathematics and theoretical computer science content/programs.

I strongly believe that pure mathematics at Leicester University should be continued as it forms a thread in many areas of application.

Cutting fundamental mathematics research is like cutting the branch you're sitting on.

Pure Math has applications to Applied Math (shocking, I know) which is heavily used by Machine Learning. The topological methods of AI come to mind. This proposal is incredibly short sighted.

"Nothing is more practical than a good theory" (L. Boltzmann)