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 36 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 400+ 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:

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• NCTL Stakeholder Group for Teacher Subject Specialism Training TSST
• Chair, DfE/NCTL-JMC Expert Review Panel for TSST

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

Paul has 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.

He is 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).

Paul has 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. He also supported the work of the DfE/HMT Smith Review of Post 16 Mathematics.

Paul is also the Chair of The Joint Mathematical Council of the UK (JMC).