Expressions of Interest are invited to take part in a three-day strategic workshop examining the role and opportunities for the mathematical sciences in the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund [[1]].

This workshop funded by the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences and the Isaac Newton Institute will explore the following question:

Are the mathematical sciences engaging properly in leading, partnering and / or contributing in general to the ISCF programme? If not, how can we improve this?

Day One will explore the opportunities and current level of engagement with the previously announced Waves 1 and 2 (~ 1.7 bn allocated). How can we maximise engagement with these well-established programmes?

Day Two will explore the emerging opportunities offered by Wave 3, whose programmes are in an earlier stage of delivery. What is the mathematical science offering for these programmes?

Day Three will explore how the mathematical sciences could better respond to challenge-led opportunities by defining a number of industry-led proposals which are underpinned by the mathematical sciences.

The outputs will be concrete proposals and actions to ensure the ISCF is strengthened by the involvement of the mathematical sciences.

Expression of interest will close Friday 1st February 2019, with confirmation being provided by the 8th February 2019.

We are accepting expressions of interest from:

UK mathematical science researchers
Participants from R&D active businesses
Civil servants and policy makers involved science and innovation

Places will be allocated considering diversity, spread of mathematical science topics, and geographic spread. Delegates who are accepted will have their travel, accommodation, and subsistence covered for the three days.

Workshop Context

The aim of the Industrial Strategy is to boost productivity by backing businesses to create good jobs and increase the earning power of people throughout the UK with investment in skills, industries and infrastructure [[2]]. A major component of this is in challenge-led research awarded via the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF). The ISCF:

Builds on the UK’s world-class research base and delivers the science that business needs to transform existing industries and create new ones
Accelerates commercial exploitation of the most exciting technologies the UK has to offer the world to ensure that scientific investment truly delivers economic impact, jobs and growth right across the country
Programmes delivered by the fund will be industry-led and powered by multi- disciplinary research and business-academic collaboration
Delivered by Innovate UK and Research Councils UK, and eventually UK Research and Innovation, the single voice for the UK’s research and innovation landscape

The recent Review of Knowledge Exchange in the Mathematical Sciences proposed that the ISCF affords a great opportunity for the mathematical sciences, given the potential for researchers in this field to engage in multidisciplinary research [[3]].

We strongly recommend deeper MS engagement with all stakeholders in the Industrial Strategy, the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) and the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). A similar point was made in the 2010 International Review of Mathematical Sciences (EPSRC, 2011):
Awareness should be raised within the mathematical sciences community of wider research challenges and societal challenges (including the sustainable development goals addressed by the Global Challenges Research Fund, GCRF) and deeper integration of mathematics should be promoted within industrial challenges (including the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, ISCF).

Organising Committee

David Abrahams, Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences
Martine Barons, University of Warwick
Matt Butchers, Knowledge Transfer Network
Colin Bleak, University of St Andrews
Jo Jordan, Independent (formerly Manager of Bath Inst. for Math. Innov.) and ICMS Board Member
Colin Please, University of Oxford

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/industrial-strategy-challenge-fund-joint-research-and-innovation

[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/the-uks-industrial-strategy

[3] https://ktn-uk.co.uk/news/the-era-of-mathematics-review-findings-on-knowledge-exchange-in-the- mathematical-sciences-published

Mathematical Sciences in the ISCF Workshop - Expression of Interest