London Mathematical Society Survey: LMS Mathematical Symposia

The LMS Mathematical Symposia (LMS Symposia) have been a part of the UK mathematical landscape for 50 years (since 1974). Originally, these events were hosted at Durham University and from 2020-2025, they have been hosted at the University of Bath with a new UK institution expected to take on hosting duties from 2026-2030. The reason for this rotating system is to make the research and training benefits of hosting available widely, especially to institutions and regions that have traditionally had less activity of this nature.

Prior to 2020, the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) provided block grants direct to Durham University to host at least 2-3 LMS Symposia per year over a 4-5 year period. In 2020, EPSRC withdrew the block grant. Since then, the ICMS and the INI have each provided core funding of up to £40,000 per Symposium per year while the LMS Symposia are being hosted at the University of Bath. However, neither the ICMS nor the INI can commit to continuing core funding from 2026 onwards.

In order to secure the future of the LMS Symposia, the LMS Research Grants Committee is seeking to work with EPSRC to reinstate a mechanism for longer-term funding. We believe this kind of funding is essential in order to deliver equal opportunity to all institutions around the nation, rather than just those with ample financial resources. Before starting this negotiation, EPSRC has asked the LMS to provide a Statement of Need to be considered by its Strategic Advisory Team and, as part of this document, EPSRC has asked the LMS whose views it has consulted. As such, we would be grateful if you could complete this survey.

The survey will remain open until 9.00am (GMT) on Thursday 7th March.

1. What, if any, has been your previous involvement with the LMS Symposia (please select all that apply):

2. So that we can gauge the career level of the respondents to this survey, please could you advise whether you are:

3. So that we can gauge the gender diversity of the respondents to this survey, please could you advise whether you are:

Male
Female
Prefer not to say
Other (please specify):

4. So that we can gauge the geographic diversity of respondents to this survey, please could you advise us either of your current institution, if you have one, or if you would prefer not to disclose your institution, your geographic area (e.g. country and/or county/state).

5. So that we can gauge the broad mathematical area of respondents to this survey, please could you advise whether you research or studies are in the following broad mathematical areas (please tick all that apply):

6. How would you rate the importance of EPSRC funding for organising LMS Symposia on a scale of 1 to 5?

7. What do you think are the main benefits that the LMS Symposia offer the UK mathematical community? Please highlight any features of the LMS Symposia that are not available at other events.

8. If you have previously organised or attended an LMS Symposium, please share your experience and any longer-term impacts (for example scientific connections, collaborations, publications and grants) that arose from attending.

9. If you have been an organiser of an LMS Symposium, how does the format and organisation compare to other events you have organised?

10. If you have not previously organised or attended an LMS Symposium, are there specific barriers that have prevented you from doing so? Please elaborate.