In these turbulent times your membership of the Society is more important than ever.
With the collapse of the international student market, most Australian universities are reducing their spending, with many staff, including those in the mathematical sciences, at risk of losing their jobs.
There are other significant challenges to the health of Mathematics in this country, such as the ongoing shortage of qualified mathematics teachers, the proposed new National Curriculum, and poorly designed ARC funding rules affecting young researchers.
The AustMS has always championed our discipline in Australia. This year, in addition to the considerable ongoing financial support that we offer our students and workshop organisers, we have
- increased the number of Lift-off Fellowships for early career mathematicians in response to the global pandemic;
- successfully lobbied the government to address significant shortcomings in the draft and the design process of the proposed new curriculum for Mathematics;
- been part of a successful campaign by learned societies to have unworkable and inappropriate ARC funding rules changed;
- called out those university administrators who fail to recognise the importance of the mathematical sciences.
Of course, AustMS will only have a strong voice if it has a strong and active membership.
Renewal notices will be sent by our Business Office in November.
I strongly urge you to renew your membership so that the Society can continue to represent the interests of the discipline in Australia and to deliver our many programs.
With kind regards,
S. Ole Warnaar, President AustMS
(A pdf version of this letter is available here)