Over the past fortnight, we welcomed 25 students (21 in person, 4 online) to MATRIX, Creswick for an intensive program exploring this year’s theme: Mathematics for Action: Supporting Decision-Making for a Better Future.
Week one began with Dr Marcella Papini (University of Newcastle) guiding students through mathematical optimisation for sustainable decision-making, and Professor Jason Sharples (UNSW Canberra) demonstrating how wind, terrain and fuel drive bushfire dynamics. Participants also shared their own research and participated in a lively careers session, gaining valuable insights from peers and academic mentors. Special lectures by Professor Craig Simmons (University of Newcastle) demonstrated how groundwater modelling supports vital decisions in water, agriculture, mining, and energy, and Professor Kate Smith-Miles AO (The University of Melbourne and OPTIMA) showcased optimisation research driving real-world impact across clean water, clean energy, and sustainable cities.
Week two kicked off with two courses, led by Professor Pablo Moscato (University of Newcastle), who explored discrete applied mathematics in personalised medicine and data science, and Professor Hoong Chuin Lau (Singapore Management University), who introduced planning and scheduling problems in logistics and supply chains. A special lecture by Professor Elena Prieto-Rodriguez (University of Newcastle) further inspired discussions on STEM education equity and initiatives to re-skill out of field maths teachers in Australia. Students were highly engaged in these topics, asking questions in both the lectures and breaks!
Students kept the momentum going outside of class too, hosting a light-hearted pitch night, playing games and exploring Ballarat and the surrounding towns. As the program comes to a close tomorrow, participants have already developed their mathematical skills and started building friendships that will last well beyond Winter School, leaving them with and a renewed sense of the power of mathematics to solve global challenges.
A heartfelt thank you to our program partners MATRIX Australia and the University of Newcastle, and to all our speakers, lecturers, and participants who made AMSI-MATRIX Winter School 2025 such a memorable and impactful experience.
