Mathematics is historically the first science. Standards of integrity in Science come from Mathematics.
Its influence is hard to overstate and elimininating it because of its 'uselessness' is a tragic error. Its power comes from its relation with logics and the (platonic) worls of ideas allowing a more detached view on our surrounding world.
M
Martin Hyland
5 years ago
The Leicester proposal is wholly destructive. Inter alia it cannot possibly serve the stated purpose to ensure a future research identity in AI etc.
M
Manfred Kerber
5 years ago
If in previous centuries such a focus on applied research were pursued, many of the most important discoveries/inventions of modern times would never have been made. We might not have computers or even electricity.
D
David Pierce
5 years ago
Mathematics is one of the ancient and fundamental ways that humans pursue excellence or simply happiness. If beyond service of our animal needs, we are collectively going to support any activities, mathematics should be one
J
James Cummings
5 years ago
This is a shockingly stupid and shortsighted plan, and if it goes .ahead it will permanently damage the reputation of the University.
B
Billy Smith
5 years ago
This is a short-term saving that causes long-term damage.
J
Jonathan Pila FRS
5 years ago
Appalling management-speak and a terrible decision.
A
Angus Macintyre FRS
5 years ago
This is not Shaping, it is managerial vandalism . Mathematics is flourishing, and it is injustice and folly to cut off young minds , in an excellent university, from the continuing flow of ideas of proven and future value for much of science ( and particularly for the subjects like AI so perversely named as likely to thrive with mathematics closed down). Like so many others I urge the Executive Board to abandon quickly this proposal which will disgrace and devalue the university.
A
Ajao Wasiu Olayinka
5 years ago
Mathematics is not redundant
I
Ian Dryden
5 years ago
Research in mathematics provides fundamental underpinning to developments in Data Science. Datasets are becoming more and more complex and so we need new tools from all areas of mathematical sciences to help with this endeavour.
M
Mark Roberts
5 years ago
Fundamental advances in areas such as AI and Data Science will come from fundamental research across the mathematics spectrum. The story of cryptography and number theory comes to mind!
T
Tom Kimber
5 years ago
Makes me ashamed to be a Leicester graduate to be honest.
L
Leon Loveridge
5 years ago
Short-sighted and indefensible.
A
Alexey Koloydenko
5 years ago
This can easily happen to other Mathematics Departments.
D
David Shipley
5 years ago
Pure mathematics underpins so many aspects of 21st Century life that it is incomprehensible that an institution wishing to be taken seriously as a broad based centre of study could choose not to have a research capability in the subject.
G
Geoff Smith
5 years ago
The barbarians are at the gates.
C
Charles Leedham-Green
5 years ago
Universities that close departments devoted to fundamental research do not thrive.
P
Patrick Nairne
5 years ago
Undergraduate mathematics students deserve to be taught by people who do research in mathematics, otherwise their horizons will be very much limited.
T
Thomas Hudson
5 years ago
"Pure Mathematics" is just mathematics, and forms the basis for all applied mathematics, along with theoretical and experimental methods in every other academic discipline. Moreover, pure mathematics as a source of deductive truth formed a core discipline in the original (and enduring) concept of the University. I do not believe that an institution which removes its expertise in this area can be called a University at all.
C
Caroline Series
5 years ago
Past president of the LMS. The Leicester proposal makes no sense as all of the proposed new subjects require a strong base of mathematics which will no be able to be provided by teaching staff only.
Mathematics is historically the first science. Standards of integrity in Science come from Mathematics. Its influence is hard to overstate and elimininating it because of its 'uselessness' is a tragic error. Its power comes from its relation with logics and the (platonic) worls of ideas allowing a more detached view on our surrounding world.
The Leicester proposal is wholly destructive. Inter alia it cannot possibly serve the stated purpose to ensure a future research identity in AI etc.
If in previous centuries such a focus on applied research were pursued, many of the most important discoveries/inventions of modern times would never have been made. We might not have computers or even electricity.
Mathematics is one of the ancient and fundamental ways that humans pursue excellence or simply happiness. If beyond service of our animal needs, we are collectively going to support any activities, mathematics should be one
This is a shockingly stupid and shortsighted plan, and if it goes .ahead it will permanently damage the reputation of the University.
This is a short-term saving that causes long-term damage.
Appalling management-speak and a terrible decision.
This is not Shaping, it is managerial vandalism . Mathematics is flourishing, and it is injustice and folly to cut off young minds , in an excellent university, from the continuing flow of ideas of proven and future value for much of science ( and particularly for the subjects like AI so perversely named as likely to thrive with mathematics closed down). Like so many others I urge the Executive Board to abandon quickly this proposal which will disgrace and devalue the university.
Mathematics is not redundant
Research in mathematics provides fundamental underpinning to developments in Data Science. Datasets are becoming more and more complex and so we need new tools from all areas of mathematical sciences to help with this endeavour.
Fundamental advances in areas such as AI and Data Science will come from fundamental research across the mathematics spectrum. The story of cryptography and number theory comes to mind!
Makes me ashamed to be a Leicester graduate to be honest.
Short-sighted and indefensible.
This can easily happen to other Mathematics Departments.
Pure mathematics underpins so many aspects of 21st Century life that it is incomprehensible that an institution wishing to be taken seriously as a broad based centre of study could choose not to have a research capability in the subject.
The barbarians are at the gates.
Universities that close departments devoted to fundamental research do not thrive.
Undergraduate mathematics students deserve to be taught by people who do research in mathematics, otherwise their horizons will be very much limited.
"Pure Mathematics" is just mathematics, and forms the basis for all applied mathematics, along with theoretical and experimental methods in every other academic discipline. Moreover, pure mathematics as a source of deductive truth formed a core discipline in the original (and enduring) concept of the University. I do not believe that an institution which removes its expertise in this area can be called a University at all.
Past president of the LMS. The Leicester proposal makes no sense as all of the proposed new subjects require a strong base of mathematics which will no be able to be provided by teaching staff only.