Professor Andrew Noyes appointed Chair of Joint Mathematical Council

Professor Andrew Noyes from the School of Education at the University of Nottingham has become the 18^th Chair of the Joint Mathematical Council (JMC) of the UK.

Professor Noyes follows in the footsteps of many distinguished mathematicians and mathematics educators to chair the national committee.

The JMC is a council of 22 participating and 12 observing bodies which first met in 1963 to aid communication between organisations and to promote mathematics and the improvement of the teaching of mathematics at all levels.

Professor Paul Glaister, outgoing Chair of the JMC (2015-18), said: “I am hugely delighted that Professor Noyes has been elected as the new Chair of the JMC for the period 2018-2021.

“Professor Noyes brings vast knowledge and experience in mathematics education over many years to the JMC, which will enable it to go from strength to strength during a period of rapid change in mathematics education policy and practice, as well as addressing the ever-present challenge of increasing the recruitment and retention of teachers of mathematics.

“In addition to Professor Noyes’ role as Chair of the Royal Society’s Contact Group on Post 16 Pathways – including T Levels – he is a former Deputy Chair of the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education, and is ideally placed to lead the important work of the JMC.”

Professor Noyes said: “I’m delighted to be taking up the Chair of JMC and am very much looking forward to working with the member organisations. A good mathematics education is not only important for individuals in their future education, work and lives but quantitative skills are central to the Industrial Strategy and our national economic outlook.”

The JMC works closely with the Royal Society, including setting up the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education. Among the JMC’s 22 participating members and 12 observing membersinclude the learned societies: Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), London Mathematical Society (LMS), Royal Statistical Society (RSS), and the subject associations: Mathematical Association (MA), and Association of Teachers of Mathematics (ATM).

Professor Todd Landman, Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Nottingham, said: “I am delighted with Professor Noyes being appointed as the new JMC Chair. As a professor of Mathematics Education and the Associate PVC for Research and Knowledge Exchange in the Faculty of Social Sciences, he is well placed to understand the broader context of the enduring importance of mathematics and mathematics education for the UK.”