Project outline
The study will address a number of issues including the following:
- Review of current activities that can demonstrate success in increasing participation.
- Identification of new areas (for example, careers teachers) where effort may profitably be addressed.
- Analysis of regional differences both in supply and demand for mathematics based HE courses. (A strength of HE provision, but one that is under increasing threat, has been the diversity of mathematics and statistics courses providing opportunities for students with a wide range of prior qualifications.)
- Engagement with employers, recognising that the mathematical sciences do not primarily underpin one single industry, but rather the vast majority of employment sectors in industry and commerce have a requirement for some level of mathematical skills.
- The involvement of and support by the mathematical community.
- The design of a substantive pilot programme for delivery in selected regions.
- Sustainability of the activities in the period following the termination of HEFCE funding.
- Interaction with other initiatives, including non-subject specific widening participation programmes, similar HEFCE funded initiatives in chemistry and engineering and existing mathematical activities such as the CMS careers project.
It will engage with influential organisations such as UUK, ETB, ACME, etc. to support the proposed initiatives.
