Knowledge Exchange at the ICMS
Through our funding opportunities and Knowledge Exchange (KE) initiatives, the ICMS supports and promotes interactions that maximise the impact of the mathematical sciences. Our current activities are listed below, and we are flexible in the support we can offer.
Our aim is to support the community, so we are keen to engage with anyone interested in KE. If you would like to organise a KE event, discuss ideas or shape future activities, please get in touch with our Knowledge Exchange Manager Lauren Hyndman.
KE funding opportunities
KE for Humanity
Funding for KE activities that align with the themes of the Mathematics for Humanity programme.
Click here for more information.
KE Catalyst
A secondment scheme to support direct collaboration between academics and external partners.
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KE event fund
Funding for events that bring together diverse groups of people to enhance research, develop and strengthen collaborations, share best practice and more.
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KE follow-on fund
Funding for activities carried out after KE events to maximise impact.
Click here for more information.
The ICMS also offers funding to support Research-in-groups and Strategic workshops. If you are interested in organising these activities in a KE capacity, please contact our Knowledge Exchange Manager Lauren Hyndman.
KE initiatives
UK Knowledge Exchange Hub for Mathematical Sciences (KE Hub)
The ICMS is delighted to play a role in the KE Hub, which exists to promote, facilitate and support KE activities between academia and business, industry and government. The KE Hub connects networks of KE Champions (academic representatives from mathematical sciences departments across the UK), KE Professionals (those employed in professional service roles) and B.I.G. Partners (representatives from Business, Industry and Government).
The ICMS is pleased to be co-organising KE Hub triage workshops. These are informal online scoping sessions where one B.I.G. Partner has the opportunity to present a challenge they are currently facing, and engage in interactive discussions with academics to identify (i) if mathematical sciences can be used to address the challenge, (ii) who from the mathematical sciences community would like to take on the challenge, and (iii) what mechanisms are most appropriate for moving forward.
Virtual Forum for Knowledge Exchange in Mathematical Sciences (V-KEMS)
Since April 2020, the ICMS has worked in partnership with Innovate UK KTN, Isaac Newton Institute, Newton Gateway to Mathematics and various representatives from the mathematical sciences community to develop V-KEMS, which was awarded KE Team of the Year at the 2021 PraxisAuril KE Awards. The main aim of this forum is to facilitate virtual activities that help to address current societal challenges. Similar in format to a traditional in-person study group, V-KEMS virtual study groups are three-day online workshops where participants work in groups to tackle three challenges presented by experts from outside of academia.
Through our Mathematics for Humanity programme, the ICMS was pleased to support the Maths for Justice virtual study group in November 2023. The next virtual study group, organised by Innovate UK KTN and funded by the KE Hub, will take place in May 2024 and be themed around The Future of the High Street.
Study Groups with Industry
Study Groups with Industry are a vital mechanism for mathematical scientists and industry representatives to meet and work collaboratively towards practical solutions in multi-day workshops. The ICMS KE event fund can support this type of activity, and the ICMS KE follow-on fund can support activities that maximise the impact of the study group, such as follow up meetings and report writing.
The European Study Groups with Industry (ESGI) started in Oxford in 1968 and there are now several meetings held annually all across Europe, with the UK hosting one every year. The ICMS was pleased to sponsor an industry challenge at ESGI 167 hosted by the University of Kent in July 2022, and we co-hosted ESGI 171 with the Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences in July 2023. The next UK ESGI will be hosted by the University of Birmingham in June 2024.
Modelling Camps
The main audience for modelling camps are postgraduate research students and early career mathematical scientists. These events offer broad skills training and an opportunity to learn how different branches of the mathematical sciences can be applied in various industrial settings. Real challenges posed by industry partners are used to develop ideas within groups, and each group delivers a presentation at the end of the camp. This provides good preparation for attending a Study Group with Industry.
The ICMS runs an annual modelling camp in collaboration with MAC-MIGS. The next modelling camp will take place in April 2024.