Introduction

Abstract

This Special Issue of the IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics celebrates the winner and finalists from the 2017 IMA Lighthill Thwaites Prize. This biennial prize has been established by the IMA in recognition of the achievement of its first two Presidents – Professors Sir James Lighthill and Sir Bryan Thwaites – in laying the foundations of what has become a major scientific institute. It was their mutual interest in the education and training of young people, as much as their involvement in applied mathematics, that has shaped the conditions of the Prize. Eligible nominees for the prize are young researchers who, in the deadline submission date, have spent no more than five years in further study or equivalent work since completing their undergraduate studies. Entries are now open for the 2019 prize. Please see the IMA website for more information. The judging for the prize is organised as a collaboration between the editors of this journal and the organisers of the British Applied Mathematics Colloquium (BAMC). The award is based on submitted work (which may or not have been already published) for which the nominee should be the main author, and a presentation at the BAMC. This Special Issue celebrates the fourth award of the prize at the 2017 BAMC at the University of Surrey. There is no stipulation on the subject matter of the work, other than that it should represent applied mathematics in the sense that is typified by the wide range of topics covered by this journal and the BAMC. Once again, this range is impressive, with the topics here covering glass drawing, coffee roasting, collisionless plasma physics and flow through porous media.