MATHSKILLS: a Discipline Network in Mathematics

• The Department for Education and Employment has established 24 university-based Discipline Networks from 1st April 1996, covering a wide variety of academic subject areas, with the aim of facilitating the dissemination of information on innovations in teaching and learning. (This follows a one-year pilot scheme involving 10 subject areas.) Particular emphasis is placed by the DfEE on the enhancement of transferable skills which will improve the employability of graduates, and on the creation of permanent, interactive links between the providers and employers of graduates.

• Though the funding provided by DfEE is rather modest (£15k p.a. for two years for each Network) the call for proposals attracted over 130 bids during the Autumn of 1995. The 'Mathskills' Network, coordinated from Hull by Dr Ekkehard Kopp, was among the successful bidders. 'Mathskills' has a Core Team of academics from 13 universities, working in close co-operation with the Committee of Heads of Departments of Mathematical Sciences (HoDoMS), the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), and other national bodies active in the promotion of University Mathematics. The Network is also in close contact with the Statistics Network, which is coordinated by Dr Anne Hawkins from Nottingham University, in concert with the Royal Statistical Society.

• Mathskills will provide information to the mathematical community through its Web Homepage (URL: http://www.hull.ac.uk/mathskills/), which will include regular newsletters, survey data, a discussion group and conference details, as well as gradually establishing reference material such as expert lists, exemplars of good practice, case studies and other support material. The Webpages are managed by Dr Neil Gordon, who is employed part-time as Network Assistant; from July he will be supported by a sandwich placement student (Daniel Higgins) as Junior Assistant.

• Mathskills activities have been grouped under seven Themes, each with its own Theme Co-ordinator and timetable, and are conducted under the general supervision of a Steering Committee which includes the Theme Coordinators and maintains regular contacts between members of the Network. The range of 'Mathskills' activities is wide: some focus on the collection and collation of survey material and expert lists, others on the development of practical means for dealing with current changes in the learning environment and background of entrants to degrees in the mathematical sciences. Expected outcomes are thus equally diverse: focusing on reference material, journal articles and survey data to inform policy formulation on the one hand, contributions to conferences and workshops and practical aids for university teachers of Mathematics on the other.

• The seven themes, together with their Co-ordinators, are listed on another page. We hope to interest more mathematicians in these projects, which have only just begun their work, and to draw on the experience of others with similar interests. Comments and enquiries are most welcome, especially from individuals and groups wishing to participate in planned 'Mathskills' events or able to offer assistance in developing the projects outlined below. The contact address is given below.

• Project Director: Dr.Ekkehard Kopp, School of Mathematics, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX. [Tel. 01482-465876, Fax: 466218] email: p.e.kopp@maths.hull.ac.uk