Institute of Mathematics and its Applications

The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) is the chartered professional body for mathematicians in the United Kingdom. It is one of the learned societies for mathematics in the UK, alongside the London Mathematical Society.

The IMA works to advance mathematics and its applications. It promotes research and encourages studies that improve the teaching and use of mathematics. The organization also aims to set and uphold high standards of professional conduct for its members.

By supporting education and training in mathematics, the IMA helps ensure that people have the skills needed to use math in many areas of life and work.

History

In 1959, important people like Sir James Lighthill and a group of math teachers realized there was a need for a special group for mathematicians. They talked a lot about it and finally decided on a name and rules for this group in 1963. The group, called the IMA, became an official organization on April 23, 1964. Later, in 1990, it got special permission from the king to operate, and in 1993, it became a charity to help support its work.

Governance

The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications is led by a group of around 25 to 31 people called the Council. This group includes a president, past presidents, elected members, and special officers who help run the institute.

The president of the IMA serves for two years. Here is a list of past presidents:

• 1964–1966: Sir James Lighthill FRS
• 1966–1967: Professor Sir Bryan Thwaites
• 1968–1969: Dr Peter Wakely FRS
• 1970–1971: Professor George Barnard
• 1972–1973: Professor Charles Coulson FRS
• 1974–1975: Sir Hermann Bondi FRS
• 1976–1977: HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
• 1978–1979: Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw
• 1980–1981: Sir Samuel Edwards FRS
• 1982–1983: Dr Peter Trier
• 1984–1985: Sir Harry Pitt FRS
• 1986–1987: Professor Bob Churchhouse FRS
• 1988–1989: Professor Douglas Jones FRS
• 1990–1991: Sir Roy Harding
• 1992-1993: J H McDonnell
• 1993–1995: Professor Lord Julian Hunt FRS
• 1996–1997: Professor David Crighton FRS
• 1998–1999: Professor Henry Beker
• 2000–2001: Professor Stephen Reid
• 2002–2003: Professor John McWhirter FREng, FRS
• 2004–2005: Professor Tim Pedley FRS
• 2006–2007: Professor Peter Grindrod CBE
• 2008–2009: Professor David Abrahams
• 2010–2011: Professor Michael Walker OBE, FRS
• 2012–2013: Professor Robert MacKay FRS
• 2014–2015: Professor Dame Celia Hoyles
• 2016–2017: Professor Chris Linton
• 2018–2019: Professor Alistair Fitt
• 2020–2021: Professor Nira Chamberlain OBE
• 2022–2023: Professor Paul Glendinning
• 2024–Present: Professor Hannah Fry HonFREng

There are also six special honorary officer roles, each with their own person in charge.

Membership

The IMA has around 5,000 members, both in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. These members work in schools, universities, businesses, industries, and government organizations. The IMA offers different levels of membership based on experience and education in mathematics.

Fellows (FIMA) are experienced professionals who have made important contributions to mathematics. Members (MIMA) have a degree and several years of experience using math in their work. Associate Members (AMIMA) and Student Members are students or recent graduates studying mathematics. Affiliates can join without any specific requirements.

Professional status

In 1990, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications received special recognition and the right to award Chartered Mathematician (CMath) status to its members. It can also recommend people for Chartered Scientist (CSci) status and award Chartered Mathematics Teacher (CMathTeach) recognition. This helps ensure high standards in the field of mathematics.

Publications

Mathematics Today is a magazine for members of the Institute, published six times a year. It includes articles, reviews, and news about new developments in mathematics and its applications.

The Institute works with Oxford University Press to publish eight research journals, including IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Medicine and Biology, IMA Journal of Mathematical Control and Information, IMA Journal of Management Mathematics, Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, Information and Inference: A Journal of the IMA, and Transactions of Mathematics and its Applications. The IMA also offers a podcast called Travels in a Mathematical World, along with conference proceedings and special newsletters.

Conferences

The institute usually holds between 8 and 10 conferences each year. These are special meetings where mathematicians share and talk about their newest research findings.

Education activities

The IMA offers many educational activities to support learning in mathematics. It has special groups that focus on helping universities and schools improve their math teaching.

The IMA approves degree courses that prepare students to become professional mathematicians. It also gives small grants to teachers and students to help organize math events and bring experts to schools. There is even a special officer who works with universities to share ideas and support student groups interested in mathematics.

Prizes

The IMA gives out several special prizes for mathematicians. These include the Leslie Fox Prize for Numerical Analysis, the Catherine Richards Prize for the best articles in Mathematics Today, the John Blake University Teaching Medal, and the IMA Gold Medal for outstanding work in mathematics.

Students studying mathematics at universities across the UK can also win prizes, which let them be members of the IMA for a year. Together with the London Mathematical Society, the IMA also gives out the Christopher Zeeman Medal for explaining math well and the David Crighton Medal for helping the math community. Every two years, the IMA and the British Applied Mathematics Colloquium give the IMA Lighthill-Thwaites Prize to young mathematicians just starting their careers.

Branches

The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) has branches across the United Kingdom and Ireland. These branches help the institute by organizing local events like talks and learning opportunities, often with famous mathematicians.

As of October 2025, the IMA has branches in East Midlands, Irish, London and South East, North West, Scottish, West Midlands, South West and Wales, and Yorkshire. The main office of the IMA is in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

Early Career Mathematicians Group

The Early Career Mathematicians Group of the IMA organizes conferences and other activities for mathematicians who are early in their careers, specifically those within the first 15 years. These events help young mathematicians connect, share ideas, and support each other's growth in the field of mathematics.

Social networking

The IMA has groups on social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as a YouTube channel, Instagram, Threads, and X feeds. These help connect people interested in mathematics and its applications across the country.

Interaction with other bodies

The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications works closely with several other groups to support mathematics in the UK. Along with the London Mathematical Society, the Royal Statistical Society, the Edinburgh Mathematical Society, and the Operational Research Society, it forms the Council for the Mathematical Sciences. The IMA is also a member of the Joint Mathematical Council and helps guide the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education.