Surrey awarded funding to build mathematical hub for innovation and knowledge exchange

The University of Surrey is a step closer to becoming a hub for mathematical knowledge exchange in the South of England after receiving funding to appoint two new Innovation Research Associates (InRAs). This valuable resource will help bridge the gap between fundamental mathematical research and real-world applications.

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The InRAs will enable growth and high-quality research by flexibly providing mathematical, computational, statistical and data skills to initiate and deliver projects across all Faculties and Institutes.

The positions are co-funded by the Mathematical Innovators in the Digital Space (MInDS) Flexible Fund, led by the University of Warwick and supported by the Knowledge Exchange Hub for Mathematical Sciences (KE Hub). The national scheme aims to establish a UK-wide network of Innovation Researchers who turn mathematical expertise into tangible benefits for society, industry and the economy. Surrey joins Heriot-Watt University and Newcastle University as one of the first three institutions to receive this funding.

We are thrilled to receive the support of the MInDS Flexible Fund to help us to establish two co-funded InRA positions in the School of Mathematics and Physics here at Surrey. The potential for mathematics to provide theoretical underpinning for improved grant success, consultancy income generation and impact is considerable, and having dedicated staff with an outward focus who can be agile in their response to opportunities are essential to pump-prime this activity. With funding and mentorship from MInDS, we look forward to developing our InRA group and achieving our goal of becoming a local knowledge exchange network hub. Dr Matthew Turner, Associate Professor in Mathematics

The funding recognises Surrey’s strong institutional commitment to the scheme, with the University pledging to fund one and a half of the two new InRA positions over the next two years. The investment builds on the highly successful collaborative track record of mathematics across all Surrey faculties, including work with the Surrey Sleep Research Centre, the Centre for Criminology, the Vet School, the Institute for People-Centred AI, Surrey Space Centre and Psychology.

This includes projects on extracting renewable energy from offshore waves, ways to improve sleep in those living with dementia, understanding sleep regulation across the lifespan, and identifying fake news stories online.