Where next for mathematics education in higher education? A one-day meeting in honour of Professor John Blake

Abstract

On the 10 June 2016 Professor John Blake, known to many readers of MSOR Connections for his leadership of the Maths, Stats & OR Network and his passionate support for mathematics education, passed away peacefully following a short illness. He was 69. In recognition of John’s work, a number of his friends and colleagues came together to organise a one-day education meeting in his honour that comprised part of a larger event celebrating his many achievements in applied mathematics. The meeting was held in July 2017 at the University of Birmingham, a place where John spent many years of his career and established a legacy for teaching and learning from which many now benefit today. John was a man for action and the purpose of this one-day meeting was to explore the current needs and priorities of the mathematical sciences community and identify mechanisms by which we can continue to work together in a changed, and changing, higher education landscape: this article comprises a record of the thoughts and ideas of those who presented in honour of John’s legacy.