2020: Highlights

ACEMS has had another very productive year in 2020. Some of the highlights are summarised below.

Continued to create world-class research at the frontiers of the mathematical sciences dealing with probability and randomness, contributing to the Centre’s four research themes of: Challenging Data, Multiscale Models, Enabling Algorithms and Informed Decisions
Made advances in diverse areas: see the detailed list of key achievements within each research theme report and the various case studies
Made valuable contributions to tackling many aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic
Increased cross-node collaborations and support of early-career researchers via internal support schemes such as the Research Support Scheme (RSS) and Industry Collaboration Support Scheme (ICSS)
Made advances in various areas of the Centre’s Collaborative Domains of Healthy People, Sustainable Environments, and Prosperous Societies.
Organised, sponsored and participated in research-focused workshops and conferences to showcase the Centre’s world-class research
Hired an additional 5 postdoctoral researchers, recruited an additional 69 students, and farewelled 52 higher degree by research (HDR) students who completed their studies

Implemented initiatives supported by the Equity and Diversity Committee such as
- Closely engaged with the Governance Advisory Board regarding the Centre’s, equity and diversity initiatives, stakeholder engagement activities, media and communication activities, financial matters, staffing changes, the annual retreat, and the Centre’s wind-down and legacy
- Closely engaged with the Scientific Advisory Committee about the Centre’s research as well as impacts of COVID-19, annual reporting, and the Centre’s wind-down and legacy
- Farewelled Sybille McKeown from the Australian Bureau of Statistics as Partner Organisation representative on the Governance Advisory Board, and welcomed Kristen Stone from the Australian Bureau of Statistics in her place
Managed substantial professional staff changes and introduced a Professional Staff Development Fund

Produced and edited 21 new episodes of the Centre’s podcast series, The Random Sample, attracting over 7,000 listens by the end of 2020
Enhanced the Centre’s social media presence
Highlighted work of ACEMS researchers and visitors on the ACEMS YouTube channel
Highlighted and amplified the Australian contributions to International Women in Maths Day by creating and promoting new content via social media and the Centre’s website
Produced and promoted a wide variety of media and communications content including media releases on ACEMS-related research, contributed articles to major news outlets, and contributed articles to `The Conversation’
Led media and communications workshops for ACEMS members and members of other ARC Centres of Excellence
Identified and mentored members looking to improve their career path through use of communications
Continued to produce personal stories about Centre members and their research and achievements

Continued with the Centre’s successful cross-node Mentoring Program to encourage and support ACEMS members across all nodes
Offered more online mentoring seminars broadcast across the nodes, expanding it to including workshops on equity and diversity topics
Identified opportunities for ACEMS HDR students and ECRs to engage with the international research community
Facilitated greater cross-node interaction through the promotion of visitor and travel schemes, and cross-node supervision and mentoring
Highlighted and supported student and early-career researchers’ achievements including new publications, grants, awards, international and national travel, collaborations and professional development
Included mentoring and professional development sessions on communication skills and career development at the Centre’s various retreats
Nominated people for prestigious awards

Ran an in-person MathsCraft session for students in Adelaide
ACEMS members participated in a number of outreach activities with school students and the mathematical sciences research community, both in person and virtually
Continued to provide financial support of the mathematical research institute MATRIX

Adapted the National Science Quiz format and instead ran a National Science Week Quiz for an online audience
Created and promoted the ACEMS Public Lecture Series with a full program of nine lectures
Led a national video campaign to celebrate International Women in Maths Day

Strengthened collaborations with our Partner Organisations
Welcomed a new Partner Investigator
Strengthened collaborations with our Industry Affiliate Members (IAMs)
All three of the new ICSS applications approved in 2020 were for collaborative industry research projects with IAMs
Continued to organise and deliver a range of ACEMS engagement activities

Supported the Centre’s Equity and Diversity Committee and Equity and Diversity Program
Promoted the Centre’s various support schemes to continue to grow participation, including the Carer’s Provision Fund, the Student Parental Leave Scholarship, the Student Support Scheme, the Research Support Scheme, Industry Collaboration Support Scheme, and International Mobility Programme
Conducted the third annual Climate Survey in 2020 to continue tracking the Centre’s progress across key areas, with very positive outcomes
Delivered four new Equity and Diversity workshops
Sponsored relevant workshops, conferences and events via that make an impact in equity and diversity

Added 13 new Associate Investigators to the Centre’s membership
27 national and international Centre visitors from 11 countries in the first quarter of 2020
Staff and students were recognised for excellence via prizes, awards and other honours
More than 60 students and ECRs registered for the annual Student and ECR Retreat
Over 184 Centre members registered for the Centre’s Annual Retreat
Met or exceeded 78% of official ARC Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets
Exceeded 22% of official KPI targets by 50% or more
Delivered a vast assortment of events and presentations
Supported a large cohort of the next generation of outstanding mathematical scientists via a range of initiatives
Members produced and supported a huge range of open-source code, software and packages, mainly in R