About/Bio

I have taught students in HE on a wide range of applied mathematics courses for mathematics and mathematical sciences programmes, and on programmes in other disciplines, and at all levels, for 37 years. I have wide experience of most facets of undergraduate and postgraduate study, and particularly the school-university transition.

I have also reviewed the provision in a range of university mathematics departments as part of activities for QAA, External Periodic Review, External Examining, and IMA degree Accreditation.

I have considerable experience of education policy and practice in the pre-HE sector, and particularly Post 16 Mathematics, and on the school-university transition, as outlined below.

I am a Professor of Mathematics and Mathematics Education in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Reading. As well as 36 years’ teaching and leadership experience, my 440 publications span research in numerical analysis, mathematics/science education, and teaching and learning.

I am a regular invited speaker at national conferences and workshops.

I have reviewed A-level Mathematics and Further Mathematics for the Department for Education (DfE) as a member of ALCAB, reviewed A-level Mathematics and Further Mathematics for Ofqual, and reviewed Core Maths (CM) qualifications for the DfE.

I have been, or am currently, a consultant to the Core Maths Support Programme (CMSP); an External Expert Advisor to Ofqual working on the reforms to AS/A-level Mathematics and Further Mathematics a reader (assessor) for The Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education.

I am, or have recently been, a member of the:

• Joint Mathematical Council of the United Kingdom (JMC) (Chair 2015-8)

• Royal Society’s Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME)

• Council of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA)

• Senior Advisory Boards for Teaching, Managing, Promoting CM

• DfE/HE Group on CM

• London Mathematical Society’s (LMS) Education Committee

• A-level Content Advisory Board (ALCAB)

• A-level Mathematics Advisory Board (ALMAB)

• Ofqual’s External Expert Advisory Panel

• Royal Society’s A level Contact Group

• Co-Chair, Royal Society/Royal Statistical Society’s Sub-Committee on Assessment in A level Mathematics: Statistics and Large Data Sets

• Joint RS/IMA/LMS/RSS/JMC Group on Contact Groups

• Royal Society Group on Monitoring Reforms in Qualifications

• DfE Standards & Testing Agency Task Review Group

• London Mathematical Society’s (LMS) International Affairs Committee

• External Advisory Board for Future Teaching Scholars (FTS) Programme

• External Advisory Board (and Reviewer) for Nuffield Foundation projects

• External Advisory Board for Association of Colleges (AoC)/Education and Training Foundation (ETF) projects

• Vice-Chair, IMA Schools and FE Committee

• National Maths Hubs Forum

• Strategic Boards for Maths Hubs: Berks, Bucks and Oxon (Chair); NW1; Solent; London Thames, Surrey Plus

• DfE/NCTL Stakeholder Group for Teacher Subject Specialism Training TSST

• National Level 3 Maths Hubs Forum

• DfE National Stakeholder Group on ITE/ITT undergraduate and postgraduate mathematics-specialist pathways into secondary mathematics teaching

• SE Level 3/Advanced Maths Regional Forum

• Chair, DfE/NCTL-JMC Expert Review Panel for TSST

• Wessex Sixth Form Colleges Curriculum Support Group

• Advisory Board, Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), NI

• Chair, DfE Core Maths Technical Guidance Panel

I am working with DfE/NCTL supporting teacher supply, recruitment and retention, including for:

• TSST Courses (secondary and Core Maths)

• FTS Programme

• IMA Mathematics Teacher Training Scholarships

I have developed enrichment materials which have been put together for outreach activities and events, including: RI Mathematics Masterclasses; Widening Participation Summer Schools; Enrichment Days, and through being a STEM Ambassador for many years. These resources include topics on: prime, transcendental, and Fibonacci numbers; proof; as well as codes, code-breaking, and internet security.

I am a Fellow of the IMA (FIMA), a member of the LMS, a Chartered Mathematician (CMath), a Chartered Scientist (CSci), a Qualified Teacher (QTS), and a Fellow of the HEA (FHEA).

I have been briefing universities on Core Maths, and post-16 mathematics more generally, following an invitation to them from BIS/DfE to find out more about Core Maths. I also supported the work of the DfE/HMT Smith Review of Post 16 Mathematics.

I am also the Immediate Past Chair of The Joint Mathematical Council of the UK (JMC).