@jan-e-grabowski
Professor of Algebra, School of Mathematical Sciences, Lancaster University. CMath, FIMA, SFHEA. Trustee of Lancaster University School of Mathematics and U-Maths (the University Maths Schools Network).
β¨ ππΌπΆπ» ππ΅π² ππ π¦! β¨
If you are considering joining the LMS and enjoying the many benefits, don't forget to fill in the application by (13 April) so it can be presented at our next Society Meeting on 17 April.
Full details β‘οΈ www.lms.ac.uk/membership
It's Mothering Sunday in a week's time! If your mother's no longer around it can be hard. I will as usual be reading out the names of our Remembered Mums/Mams/Moms from halfway up this beauty - the Ashton Memorial in Lancaster. If you'd like me to read out your Mum's name, reply with #Mums26 β€οΈ π
View from a train seat of the Lancashire countryside
One of the very pleasant things about life as an academic is the opportunity to travel to see colleagues, talk about research and enjoy lovely train journeys away from the usual hustle and bustle. I particularly like this one: Lancaster to Leeds via Skipton, going to @universityofleeds.bsky.social
To promote the importance of mathematics we are establishing a distributed network of dedicated LMS Outreach Lecturers who will deliver high-quality mathematical outreach to learners in primary, secondary and further education settings across the UK.
β‘οΈ www.lms.ac.uk/news/lms-out...
So, podcasting's all the rage, eh? Never one to spurn a bandwagon, here's me on the latest episode of the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement's Engaged Futures podcast, talking about what it's like doing and leading engagement activity in a university:
soundcloud.com/nccpe-bristo...
Come and practice a range of maths/stats topics in a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere!
See the Linktree in our pinned post for more information!
We're delighted to have been presented with a Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education by Their Majesties The King and Queen at St Jamesβs Palace!
The highest national honour in higher education was awarded to us for our creation of core technology for the micro:bit.
π°: https://pulse.ly/atuiz2qnt7
(Could be in "Sublime and Beautiful, of course.)
Not so much maths. Would probably give it a miss. π€·ββοΈ
and it's easy to slip into disciplinary academic stereotypes and esoteric conversation, but this reminds us what we should never forget: every single time we apply our processes and rules, we affect an individual person's life. We owe it to them to get it right, to the best of our ability. 2/2
As someone who has been closely involved with exam boards and QA both internally and as an external, the reporting on this tragedy brings feelings of sorrow and sympathy for the family, as well as a sense of "there but for the grace ...". Discussions about processes and rules can feel abstract 1/n
Applications are now open for the Trailblazers Open Access Books schemes 2026 intake.
Publish your first monograph Open Access and learn valuable publishing skills.
Find out more below π
www.lancaster.ac.uk/library/news...
Itβs never been easier to connect with us. No need to scroll through endless contacts, just fill out our enquiry form and weβll make sure youβre put in touch with the right person. Start your next conversation with Lancaster University here. https://tinyurl.com/3yhjdhct #BusinessandInnovation
Following a couple of your Rules: this was fantastic and thought-provoking - thank you so much. Hearing someone talk openly about things you immediately recognise in yourself makes a real impact and it's got me thinking again about how to "get on and do it", though perhaps not at Taylor-scale...
For those attending BMC2026, don't forget to come to our Society Meeting taking place on 31 March, with guest speaker PΓ©ter VarjΓΊ (University of Cambridge).
BMC2026 is taking place at Cardiff University and earlybird registration is now open.
Details β‘οΈ www.eventsforce.net/cbs/frontend...
Actually, this is probably quite controversial, so I retract the claim.
I exist.
Mathematics is a subject.
We've been awarded a Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education! π
This national honour has been awarded to us for our work on the micro:bit, a pocket-sized programmable computer thatβs improving digital literacy skills around the globe.
Professor Ulrike Tillmann, Chair of the Royal Society Education Committee, responds to the Curriculum and Assessment Review 2025: royalsociety.org/news/2025/11...
π We are excited to announce our revamped Education grant schemes, which aim to support colleagues building a teaching and scholarship profile within higher education mathematics.
Deadline: 26 January 2026
For further details β‘οΈ www.lms.ac.uk/news/teachin...
My furthest work trip north* in the UK today, visiting @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social to give a seminar talk. Very misty and atmospheric on the journey up!
(* I think, though it must be close with the conference I went to on Skye some years ago.)
NEW VIDEO
@marcusdusautoy.bsky.social uncovers the deep connection between mathematics and the arts, featuring a live musical performance. www.youtube.com/watch?v=thc2...
New Blog Post: "Opening Up Mathematics" by Jan E. Grabowski (@jan-e-grabowski.bsky.social) discusses the importance of publishing Open Access, and the impact that this can have.
Blog: buff.ly/a906szg
Book: buff.ly/Y4dFoxM
All of us at @lancasteruni.bsky.social welcome today's report showing the effect of University Maths Schools on young people and their regions.
@umathsnetwork.bsky.social
www.lancaster.ac.uk/news/lancast...
A new study by the Observatory for Mathematical Education, commissioned by U-Maths, finds that students at these schools achieve higher A Level grades and are significantly more likely to progress to the UKβs most selective STEM universities than comparable students elsewhere.
bit.ly/OME-Report
Now with an accessible HTML version online too, at www.maths.lancs.ac.uk/~grabowsj/rt... π§βπ
π¨ @fftedudatalab.bsky.social shows only 9% of disadvantaged pupils with strong primary maths skills achieve a B+ at A-Level.
The research shows where pupils fall away. Our own research shows why: disengagement arrives early in secondary school.
π Read more in our CEOβs op-ed in Tes or our blog.
Thanks, @lancasteruni.bsky.social Library!
www.lancaster.ac.uk/library/news...
Image of a scientist in white lab coat, with a pipette and testtube. They are wearing a white lab coat and are a wheelchair user. Other scientists work in the background. A quote overlayed says "it's through change that science progresses, and good science is diverse and inclusive, including for disabled people. We are here, within science as scientists." - Dr Frankie Doddato
What can employers do to create a more inclusive environment?
In a new guest blog, Dr Frankie Doddato, physicist at Lancaster University, writes on the vital role of the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks, and its STEMM Action Group:
www.britishscienceassociation.org/Blog/disable...