This year’s ARC Laureate Fellows include a strong representation from the mathematical sciences community. AMSI warmly congratulates the following fellowship recipients:
Prof. Peter Taylor, University of Melbourne
Prof. Xu-Jia Wang, Australian National University
Prof. Hugh Possingham, University of Queensland
In a time when the demand for mathematically capable professionals is growing, it is vital that the innovative work of these new laureates is recognised.
AMSI Director, Prof. Geoff Prince, is heartened that the Commonwealth’s commitment to support excellence in research has included three projects that focus on not only academic outcomes but those with an emphasis on community engagement.
‘Stochastic, or random, phenomena abound in society,’ Prof. Taylor said. ‘Outreach programs to educate members of the public about random processes significant to their lives is essential.’
Prof. Taylor’s project has both research and outreach goals. ‘We will combine the advancement of the theory of stochastic models at a deep level; problems arising in science, economics, social science and engineering will profit.
Prof. Wang’s project also has a focus on outreach. He said that: ‘This program of research innovation will enhance and promote the broad aims of Australian participation and leadership in key strategic areas of international science.
‘The main objective is to develop new methods and techniques to study the qualitative properties of solutions to nonlinear partial differential equations; with a view to establishing comprehensive theories.’
Prof. Possingham works with the National Environmental Research Program. His group consists of mathematicians, ecologists, economist and geographers.
He said that most conservation researchers are biologists, and that ‘conservation research is about making decisions — for example, how much governments spend on different environmental actions — to secure the world’s biodiversity.
‘My team brings decision theory to bear on these decisions using tools and ideas from applied mathematics and economics. The first major problem we will tackle is whether to invest in habitat restoration or in the prevention of habitat loss,’ Prof. Possingham said.
‘AMSI would like to reiterate its congratulations to all new laureates and to the Commonwealth for recognising the need for outreach,’ said Prof. Prince.
For Interview:
AMSI Director, Prof. Geoff Prince
Media Contact:
Stéphanie Pradier
M:0424 568 314
E: stephanie@amsi.org.au
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