News

The Departmental Mile

The Examiners Mile, also known as the Departmental mile, was first ran in 1973 following a coffeetime conversation between two members of staff in the Mathematics department. They argued whether it would be possible for a reasonably fit individual to be within 50% of a world record time and, so story has it, they failed to break six minutes for a mile. Thus the annual race was born to be run on the day before finals results are published. The record is a sizzling 4:31.41 held by Peter Grime in 1999. Once again this year, on Monday 5 June, keen runners and enthusiasts of all ages ran the `Department Mile' on the track at Maiden Castle Sport Centre. A healthy mix of academics, secretarial staff and graduate students gave it all to make the event a real success. Supporters, photographers and time keeper (Benedict Powell) enjoyed the sunshine and cheered the twelve participants (Alex Cockburn, Jochen Einbeck, Simon Gentle, Paul Heslop, Paul Jennings, Richard Miles, Helene Rusby, Dirk Schuetz, David Tapp, Tom Ward, Danny Williamson, Danielle Wills). The winner was Simon Gentle who ran in 5.46 minutes, and his runner up was Helene Rusby (6.22). Congratulations to all for their superb performance.

(19 Jun 2013)

The Maths Bike Ride - 16 June 2013

This is a relatively new departmental initiative, in its third edition this year. The 30-mile ride took the participants out to Seaham and back to the Rose Tree in Shincliffe for a well-deserved drink. Have a look at some snapshots of the 2011 and 2012 bike rides.

(19 Jun 2013)

Ruth Gregory talks about Relativity on BBC Radio 4

Listen to the 6th of June BBC 4 radio broadcast `In our time' with Melvyn Bragg, who hosts Ruth Gregory alongside Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal and Emeritus Professor of Cosmology and Astrophysics at the University of Cambridge and Roger Penrose, Emeritus Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford. They explain the key ideas of Einstein's Relativity theory.

(6 Jun 2013)

Annual Lake District Walk

The departmental Lake District Walk is an old tradition, and is one of the annual events promoting friendship and scientific conversations across the various mathematics disciplines represented in the Department. We have collective fond memories throughout decades of such activities, which occasionally highlight the resilience of our staff when faced with uneven weather conditions. This year the weather was superb. Thanks to Djoko Wirosoetisno for sharing these beautiful pictures. Snapshots of previous years walks are available here, courtesy of Patrick Dorey. 

(2 Jun 2013)

Vitaliy Kurlin one of 3 nominees for DSU Award

Vitaliy Kurlin has made it as one of the final three nominees for the Lecturer of the Year award for the Science Faculty at the Durham Students' Union Awards 2013. The Lecturer of the Year award goes to the one member of staff from each Faculty who has performed best in reference to meeting the following criteria:

• This lecturer will have made you feel like a valued learner
• This lecturer will ensure the course is intellectually stimulating
• They will be engaged with an exceptional knowledge and understanding of the subject area
• They will be motivational & inspiring
• They will be innovative in their delivery

Congratulations to Vitaliy for this commendable achievement!

Durham Students' Union Awards celebrate the success and mark the contributions of staff and students throughout the academic year across all areas of activity. The Awards Ceremony, their showcase event, will be held on Palace Green on the evening of Wednesday 19th June, 2013.

(22 May 2013)

Durham honours Peter Higgs

Peter Higgs to receive an Honorary Doctor of Science degree at Durham Cathedral on Thursday 27 June at 11:00am during the Physics Congregation ceremony.

(16 May 2013)

Congratulations to our promoted staff

The round of promotions for the academic year 2012-13 has just been completed, and the department of Mathematical Sciences is delighted with the news that Jochen Einbeck and Matthias Troffaes have been promoted to Senior Lecturers, Paul Heslop and Douglas Smith have been promoted to Readers, and that Norbert Peyerimhoff and Mukund Rangamani have been promoted to a chair. This is well-deserved, and a recognition by Durham University of excellence in research, teaching and service. Congratulations to all.

(24 May 2013)

Gangl style

Herbert Gangl cements his place in Durham maths history with his performance of wrapping up algebraic numbers

(30 May 2013)

Durham Maths and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences

Professor Patrick Dorey is our principal link with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS). He regularly travels to South Africa and Ghana to deliver basic short courses to enthusiastic and talented students. You can see him in action here, when he demonstrates solitons with the help of some students at Muizenberg, near Cape Town. The AIMS-Ghana Institute is located in the historically significant Central region of Ghana, specifically Biriwa, a small coastal town about 130 km west of Accra, the capital city of Ghana. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and AIMS-Ghana offers an intensive one-year taught Masters degree in Mathematical Sciences accredited by the Universities of Ghana and Cape Coast and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. There is always scope for a soccer match at the end of a study day.

(30 May 2013)