Chairman's Report

One of the Governance Advisory Board’s most indefatigable members, Professor Martin Grötschel, commented at a board meeting that 2020 was a very good year for mathematics! Martin was, of course, referring to the prominence of mathematical modelling in tracking the pandemic, predicting its future course and the likely efficacy of various preventive strategies such as lockdowns. The term mathematical modelling gained a new prestige and ACEMS mathematicians were on the front-line in developing and using such models. Perhaps, most importantly, the active deployment of modelling and other scientific tools (eg vaccine development) demonstrated how effective governments can be when they take the best scientific advice available; or not, when they chose to ignore it. A detailed account of ACEMS’ mathematicians’ input into the national response appears elsewhere in this Report.

Despite the difficulties created by the pandemic, ACEMS has had another very good year in research, both in terms of measurable productivity and impact. The research projects described in detail in this Report range from deeply theoretical work on models that describe randomness in nature to the practically important study of the impact of drinking during pregnancy on a child’s cognitive function. These examples exemplify the scope of ACEMS’ activities. Creativity is also a hallmark of ACEMS’ work and the ongoing Safe Blues project described here is an excellent example, using mobile phones to simulate the outcomes of various different strictures and social behaviour on the spread of an artificial (harmless) virus.

ACEMS’ retreats have provided an excellent collaborative vehicle for ACEMS’ researchers in past years. That was always going to be hard to replicate in the year of the pandemic. But ACEMS found a way – a virtual retreat organised by Minh Nguyen. The program was remarkably full and there were many highlights – a rousing introductory presentation by Prof Hugh Durrant-Whyte, the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, an industry panel, research presentations, a session on the impact of COVID-19 on researchers, awards, and more. A highlight was the keynote address by Professor Iain Johnstone of Stanford University -a mathematical tour de force that paid direct tribute to some work of ACEMS’ founding Director, Professor Peter Hall, and current Chief Investigator, Professor Matt Wand. It was in fact a remarkably successful Retreat and a great tribute to ACEMS’ resilience (and to Minh’s amazing organising ability).

An important contribution that ACEMS has made has been its engagement with external stakeholders, including industry. COVID-19 certainly made active engagement with external stakeholders much more difficult than usual. But, undaunted, Angela Dahlke has worked tirelessly to develop and revive relationships with ACEMS Partner Organisations and supporting researchers collaborating with Industry Affiliate Members to leverage ACEMS’ Industry Collaboration Support Scheme grants.

The MathsCraft team was consolidated with Anita Ponsaing’s move to Adelaide.  Because of its reliance on face-to-face classroom activities, MathsCraft was unable to pursue many of its usual activities during the year. The team focused on professional development for teachers and building up resources for marketing. What has been apparent, despite the challenges of 2020, is the passion that Anthony Harradine, Nigel Bean and Anita have for MathsCraft. This initiative engages participants in a unique way that will excite students and teachers to do mathematics like a mathematician for years to come.

ACEMS’ media and communications was relatively unaffected by the pandemic. Tim Macuga has led the design and delivery of ACEMS’ communication platform from its inception. His ability to effectively use social media to get the message across has been responsible for national and global publicity for ACEMS’ work.  Tim’s outstanding podcast series, The Random Sample, has continued to be the jewel in the communications’ crown.

ACEMS members have had another year of being recognised for their significant contributions to their field. Among the many notable achievements detailed in this report, Aurore Delaigle was made a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, at the ANZIAM conference, Matthew Simpson was awarded the E.O. Tuck Medal and student Rose Crocker won the Cherry Ripe Prize for best student presentation and Nicole White was named by STA as one of its Superstars of STEM.

I would also like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of ACEMS’ administrators. The Chief Operating Officer Emily Duane went on maternity leave mid-year and Anita Vecchies stepped into the role for the remainder of the year. Both led the far-flung ACEMS admin team, ably assisted by Minh Nguyen, to ensure they continued to strongly support ACEMS despite the difficult circumstances presented by the pandemic. And, as always, the ACEMS Executive, led by ACEMS Director Professor Peter Taylor, provided leadership of the highest quality.

As Chair of the ACEMS Governance Advisory Board it gives me great pleasure to commend this Annual Report to you.

Ron Sandland

March 2021