ACME announces a new Chair
12 December 2011
For immediate release
The Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education
announces a new Chair
Professor Stephen Sparks CBE FRS has been appointed as the new
Chair of the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME).
Professor Sparks begins his three year term as Chair on 13 January
2012 and takes over from Professor Dame Julia Higgins FRS following
the completion of her term. The Advisory Committee on
Mathematics Education (ACME) is an independent committee, based at
the Royal Society and operating under its auspices, which acts as a
single voice for the mathematical community on mathematics
education issues, seeking to improve the quality of such education
in schools and colleges. It advises Government on issues such as
the curriculum, assessment and the supply and training of
mathematics teachers.
Professor Sparks said: "ACME's role is to provide independent
and timely advice to Government and others on mathematics
education. Gaining an understanding of mathematics, and being
confident to use it in a variety of situations, is important for
all students. I am particularly looking forward to being involved
in ACME's work on post-16 mathematics, and helping to ensure that
every student can have access to an appropriate mathematics
education beyond the age of 16."
Professor Sparks has been a Professor of Geology at the
University of Bristol since 1989. His research interests have been
in volcanology and the applications of fluid mechanics in modelling
geological flows and applying statistical methods to the assessment
of natural hazards and their attendant risks. He is currently a
member of the Government Chief Scientific Advisor's SAGE
(Scientific Advice for Emergencies) group, on both the Council and
Board of the American Geophysical Union and Deputy Chair of the
Council Leadership Team, and has previously served as President of
the Geological Society of London.
Professor Dame Julia Higgins said, "Steve brings a rich
background as a user of mathematics to the role of ACME Chair. Over
the past three years, ACME has contributed significantly to
education policy: on GCSE Mathematics, including issues around
early and multiple entry, on the mathematical needs of learners and
Higher Education, and developing pathways for 14-19 year olds. I'm
sure Steve will build on these, as well as ensuring the committee
continues to develop policy advice on the supply and training and
development of teachers of mathematics."
Ends
For further information or to organise an interview, please
contact:
Alice Henchley
020 7451 2514 / alice.henchley@royalsociety.org
Notes for editors
The Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME) is an
independent committee, based at the Royal Society and operating
under its auspices, which acts as a single voice for the
mathematical community on mathematics education issues, seeking to
improve the quality of such education in schools and colleges. It
advises Government on issues such as the curriculum, assessment and
the supply and training of mathematics teachers. ACME was
established by the Joint Mathematical Council of the UK and the
Royal Society, with the explicit backing of all major mathematics
organisations. ACME is currently supported by the Department for
Education, the Wellcome Trust, Gatsby, the Royal Society and a
range of other organisations across the STEM landscape. The current
chair is Professor Dame Julia Higgins FRS FREng. www.acme-uk.org/