Maths professor appointed to two prestigious national roles

A Reading maths professor has been appointed to leading roles by two organisations that support mathematical education across the UK.

Professor Paul Glaister CBE has been named President of the Mathematical Association, and as Chair of the Royal Society’s A levels Expert Panel for their Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education.

Professor Glaister will take on the role of President Designate at the Mathematical Association, before becoming President in 2025. His role as Chair of the Royal Society Committee has already begun.

Mathematical Association

The Mathematical Association has a 152-year history as the premier subject association for mathematics educators.

As a charity, it exists to support and promote confidence and enjoyment in mathematics for all, through interacting with teachers and those with an interest in mathematics, and to influence mathematics education policy in evidence-based ways.

Professor Glaister will be the 107th Mathematical Association President in a list comprising some giants in the world of mathematics. These include Professor GH Hardy FRS, Professor Sir James Lighthill FRS, former Reading Head of Mathematics Professor E H Neville, and more recently Professor Hannah Fry and Professor Nira Chamberlain OBE.

In 2021, Professor Glaister had an article chosen by the Mathematical Association as one of 'A Magnificent Twelve’ for its 150th Anniversary Celebration.

Royal Society

The Royal Society established its Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education in 2002 in partnership with the Joint Mathematical Council of the UK, of which Paul is the immediate past Chair.

The A levels Expert Panel of the Royal Society was established in 2017and oversees policy reform in mathematics education. Paul has been a member of the panel, and its predecessor board, for nearly a decade.

On his appointments, Professor Glaister said: “I’m naturally delighted and feel immensely honoured and proud to have been appointed to these roles.

“I look forward to continuing my support of mathematics, mathematics education, our communities of teachers and others who support mathematics education through my Presidency of the Mathematical Association.

“I also look forward to continuing my support of advanced mathematics in schools and colleges, and the role this plays in the all-important transition to university study in STEM and other disciplines, and subsequently in the world of work, where mathematical, quantitative and data science knowledge and skills are vital.”