Virtual Forum for KE in the Mathematical Sciences: KE Award Winners

Guest blog from Drs Joanna Jordan RTTP FIMA (Freelance Mathematical Sciences KE) and Matt Butchers (Innovate UK KTN)

We were thrilled that the work of the Virtual Forum for Knowledge Exchange in the Mathematical Sciences (V-KEMS) – a joint venture between the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences (ICMS), Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Newton Gateway to Mathematics, and Innovate UK KTN – won the KE Team of the Year in the 2021 PraxisAuril KE Awards! We knew the team had worked hard to develop a unique KE offering, but we still didn’t expect to win!

 

Whilst we think of traditional KE as a “contact sport”, the world has had to adapt to a new way of working in the midst of a global pandemic. This paradigm shift has required new technology adoption, and necessitated a more joined-up capability in the mathematical sciences to deliver an effective response to the pandemic. 

Established in March 2020, V-KEMS has worked tirelessly to develop ambitious new mechanisms to initiate and support KE initiatives, rapidly bringing together mathematical scientists – from across the discipline – to address COVID-19 challenges. These have included: COVID safety in rail, universities, and when hosting large events; national food supply resilience; COVID impact on foodbanks; and the impact of COVID on cardio-vascular waiting lists.

V-KEMS has provided the coordination, online infrastructure, scientific expertise and impetus for many important scientific discussions to take place, raising the profile of the mathematical sciences in charities, government departments, and industry. The team has interfaced with SPI-M, SAGE, Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), and the Royal Society’s Rapid Assistance in Modelling the Pandemic (RAMP), and through these has been active in driving the mathematical sciences into policy discussion. Vitally, the inclusivity which the team has engendered through the virtual approach has enabled a marked increase in diversity of participants in mathematical science KE, and allowed for early-career researchers, in particular, to be connected to something bigger through lockdown. The team has engaged over 1000 participants; published over 30 reports, papers, pre-prints, policy submissions; and created mechanisms which allow people to contribute whilst balancing childcare and other commitments.

Closely aligned to the 2018 Bond Review for KE in the Mathematical Sciences recommendation of a National Centre for Impactful Mathematics, V-KEMS provides an interface for government and industry to access KE with the UK Mathematical Sciences community. Learning from the collaborative remote engagement mechanisms established by V-KEMS, in late 2021 we developed a KE Connected Centres Network (CCN) implementation plan, which is currently out for review by the community. The CCN intends to build on the existing strengths in KE across the country and expand V-KEMS beyond the capacity currently available. 

It is an honour and endorsement that V-KEMS’ collaborative efforts have been recognised by independent KE experts, and we’d like to thank PraxisAuril for the unique opportunity to promote mathematical sciences KE. The award is excellent recognition of all the hard work across the UK mathematical sciences community in response to COVID. We hope that V-KEMS’ success will create a greater appreciation of the impact of the mathematical sciences amongst KE professionals, and pave the way for more mathematical sciences involvement in other vital KE initiatives.

 

Virtual Forum for Knowledge Exchange in the Mathematical Sciences was awarded the KE Team of the Year Award at the 2021 KE Awards Ceremony. Watch the finalist videos here.