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Women and Diversity in Mathematics

The London Mathematical Society is committed to actively addressing issues related to gender and broader diversity in mathematics.  It is concerned about the loss of women from mathematics, particularly at the higher levels of research and teaching, and at the disadvantages and missed opportunities that this represents for the advancement of mathematics. The Council Statement on Women in Mathematics recognises the need to give active consideration to ensuring that men and women are treated equally in their prospects, recognition and progression.

In 2020 the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊWomen in Mathematics (WiM) Committee expanded its remit from a focus on gender inequalities in mathematics to allow it to take a much broader look at other aspects of diversity within the mathematical community. The committee was renamed the Committee for Women and Diversity in Mathematics (CWDM) to reflect its wider mission. Read more about the CWDM remit here.

In 2016, CWDM was awarded the Royal Society's inaugural .

Join the Linked In Group to connect with other UK women working in mathematics or using mathematics in industry.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine

The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊCommittee for Women and Diversity in Mathematics notes with great concern the ongoing military aggression in Ukraine and its immediate-, middle- and long-term devastating impact on millions of innocent people. Among them are many women mathematicians and their families.

In March 2022 the Society’s President, Professor Ulrike Tillmann, made a statement deploring the invasion of Ukraine by Russian government forces. Since then, the Society has launched several strands of work in its areas of activity to respond to these devastating developments.

The Society actively supports members of the mathematical community who are seeking refuge in the United Kingdom as a result of the invasion, and our Committee encourages mathematicians and in particular women mathematicians to get in touch via membership@lms.ac.uk. Information and further details, including on the grants available and how to apply for them, can be found here.

News

  • May 2023: The Committee has obtained updated benchmarking data showing gender distribution in UK mathematics departments for 2011-2022. 
  • November 2022: The Committee for Women and Diversity in Mathematics has published its Advice on Creating a Positive Environment at Events.
  • . The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊCommittee for Women and Diversity in Mathematics supports the Open Letter on the Coronavirus Crisis from European Women in Mathematics (EWM), and calls on all UK universities, mathematics Departments, and funding agencies to take into account the uneven impact that the coronavirus crisis has had when considering job applications.
  • The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊCouncil has published some Advice on Diversity at Conferences and Seminars.
  • The Athena Forum has published a report on .
  • now available helping to connect women in the UK working in mathematics or who have a mathematics background.
  • The London Mathematical Society's Women in Mathematics Committee was awarded the inaugural .
  • The Women in Mathematics Committee has published a .
  • The Society has published updated benchmarking data on the gender balance in UK mathematics departments for the academic years 2011/12 through to 2014/15.  This data updates the data previously published in the report Advancing women in mathematics: good practice in UK university departments.  The updated data and other resources for departments can be found here.
  • The Athena Forum has published a .
  • .  This article considers how to address this underrepresentation and provides some practical suggestions for organising conferences in ways that are equitable for female mathematicians.
  • The Athena Forum has relaunched its .  The Forum informs the wider debate on diversity in STEMM through events and other activities that advance the understanding of the role of women in academic STEMM.
  • Women mathematicians at the University of Nottingham have made , to help inspire the next generation of mathematicians.
  • Research Councils UK has published its briefing on .
  • House of Commons Science and Technology Committee lauches its report on .
  • STEMNET has launched a new online resource, , in which six diverse and inspirational female STEM ambassadors talk about the importance that maths plays in their role on an everyday basis.
  • The Council for Mathematical Sciences responds to the Science and Technology Committee's inquiry into 'Women in STEM', with a response prepared by the Women in Mathematics Committee.
  • Athene Donald writes about ' in relation to Athena SWAN Awards.
  • Gwyneth Stallard discusses women in mathematics on .
  • The Guardian has published an article on 
  • The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Êlaunched its report Advancing women in mathematics: good practice in UK university departments at the House of Commons on 27th February.
  • More details of the launch and the report are given .
  • RCUK announces its .