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 some math teachers saw that there was a need for a special group for mathematicians. They talked about it and decided on a name and rules in 1963. The group, called the IMA, became an official organization on April 23, 1964. Later, in 1990, it got special permission 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 about 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 about 5,000 members in the United Kingdom and other places. These members work in schools, universities, companies, factories, and government offices. The IMA offers different kinds of membership for people with different levels of math knowledge and work experience.

Fellows (FIMA) are experienced experts who have done important work in mathematics. Members (MIMA) have a degree and many years of experience using math at work. Associate Members (AMIMA) and Student Members are students or new graduates studying mathematics. Affiliates can join without any special requirements.

Professional status

In 1990, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications got special approval. It can now give Chartered Mathematician (CMath) status to its members. It can also suggest people for Chartered Scientist (CSci) status and give Chartered Mathematics Teacher (CMathTeach) recognition. This helps keep standards high in mathematics.

Publications

Mathematics Today is a magazine for members of the Institute. It is published six times a year. The magazine has articles, reviews, and news about new things in mathematics and how we use it.

The Institute works with Oxford University Press to publish eight research journals. These include 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 has a podcast called Travels in a Mathematical World. They also share reports from conferences and special newsletters.

Conferences

The institute holds 8 to 10 conferences each year. These are special meetings where mathematicians share their newest research.

Education activities

The IMA offers many activities to help people learn math. It has special groups that work with schools and universities to make math teaching better.

The IMA approves degree courses that help students become math professionals. It also gives small grants to teachers and students. These grants help organize math events and bring experts to schools. There is a special officer who works with universities. This officer shares ideas and supports student groups interested in math.

Prizes

The IMA gives out 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 great work in mathematics.

Students studying mathematics at universities across the UK can also win prizes. These prizes let them be members of the IMA for a year. Together with the London Mathematical Society, the IMA 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 holds meetings and events for mathematicians who are new to their careers. These are for mathematicians within the first 15 years of their work. The events help young mathematicians meet, exchange ideas, and encourage each other as they progress in mathematics.

Social networking

The IMA has groups on social media like Facebook and LinkedIn. It also has a YouTube channel, Instagram, Threads, and X feeds. These help people who love math stay connected across the country.

Interaction with other bodies

The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications works with many groups to support mathematics in the UK. It works with the London Mathematical Society, the Royal Statistical Society, the Edinburgh Mathematical Society, and the Operational Research Society. Together, they form the Council for the Mathematical Sciences. The IMA is also part of the Joint Mathematical Council and helps guide the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education.