Professor Iain Gordon
Vice-President
Professor of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh
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PhD: University of Glasgow, 1998
Previous appointments: Seggie Brown Fellow, University of Edinburgh 1998-1999; EU Research Fellow, University of Bielefeld and University of Antwerp 1999-2000; Lecturer then Reader, University of Glasgow 2000-2006; Professor of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh 2006-present; EPSRC Leadership Fellow 2008-2013; Head of School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh 2014-2022; Vice-Principal and Head of College of Science and Engineering, University of Edinburgh 2022-present.
Research interests: Representation theory and noncommutative algebra, and their connections with combinatorics and algebraic geometry
аĿª½±service: Member of Council (and in this respect member of Programme Committee and Publications Committee) 2005-2009; Member of Research Meetings Committee 2010-2012; Editor, Proceedings of the London Mathematical Society 2012-2015; Member of Prizes Committee 2017-2020; Vice-President 2019-; Member of Committee for Women and Diversity in Mathematics 2019-
Additional information: Member of ICMS Management Committee and Board 2006-present; Member of EPSRC Mathematics Programme SAT 2011-2014; Member of REF2014 Mathematical Sciences subpanel; Member of INI Steering Committee 2016-2019
Personal statement: I previously wrote "I think it is critical for the long-term health of the mathematical sciences community to advocate effectively for itself, both in its own terms and in terms of its place in culture and its utility in the modern economy. Given the increasing role the mathematical sciences play in a more quantitative society and some of the large investments that are being made in STEM research in the UK, there are opportunities and there are threats. It is always crucial that the theoretical parts of the discipline remain strong and vibrant, taking advantage of opportunities whenever possible, working broadly and openly so that the whole of the discipline flourishes. In the current environment, it is important to continue to support intellectual and geographic diversity, but also benefit from the large-scale funding." I always try to act on this: helping coordinate the аĿª½±response to Covid-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, supporting Early Career Researchers and those who faced increased pressures during the pandemic; participating in discussions around major issues including Additional Funding for Mathematical Sciences; and starting discussions within аĿª½±on environmental sustainability. I do this as an advocate for the community coming together, in its diversity.