Nurturing a new generation of mathematicians in Paris Paris is a city with a reputation for mathematics excellence, which is why the MathInParis2020 Project is championing a new generation of mathematicians in doctoral programmes that give them experience, facilities, networking and most of all opportunities to excel. EU Research talks to Project Coordinator, Ariela Briani and Gael Octavia in charge of Communications, about supporting the most promising minds in mathematics. Cultivating,
mentoring
and
supporting a new generation and network of young, ambitious doctoral students is a central goal of the MathInParis2020 project, supported by the Fondation Sciences Mathématiques de Paris (FSMP). Mathematics has profound impacts on other sciences, technology, innovation, economies and society. Developing maths and mathematicians can be a key driver to solving problems and creating opportunity. Paris has become a highly suitable city for promising mathematicians to thrive. The programme MathInParis2020 seeks to attract talented doctoral students from around the world and provide an environment for a high standard of training and mentoring. Emphasis is placed on ensuring the researchers are internationally oriented, can be open to other scientific disciplines and non-academic issues, in a context of equal opportunities and ethical and societal concerns.
www.euresearcher.com
“The programme is focused on Paris and the fact is that the Parisian mathematical community is a really exceptional community in the world. It’s maybe the biggest community in terms of the mathematical spectrum. In a small area you have all the mathematics you can imagine. In Europe there is nothing comparable to this in scale. It’s why the programme is important because we fill this community with young talents, but we also help these talents take benefits from this community,” said Gael Octavia. Indeed, with 1800 mathematicians (1200 permanents researchers out of 4000 in France) in 14 laboratories and 24 Inria teams, the FSMP network comprises the largest concentration of mathematicians worldwide.
The best in maths, together The programme is looking to attract the best minds in mathematics. There is a high benchmark for selection.
As Ariela Briani puts it, “We are looking for good mathematicians. Part of the programme is to train and help them, but the excellence of the maths students is fundamental to our project.” Under the Marie SkłodowskaCurie COFUND, the project promotes dissemination of a new generation of international mathematicians trained in Paris. The idea is to forge an exciting and vibrant community of like-minded people bonding in a dynamic learning environment that gives them access to everything they need to innovate in their subject. The project looks to develop novel key areas of expertise – driving the researchers’ ambitions, curiosity, awareness and mobility with an emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. The mobility part is a must. The laureates of the programme live in Paris for three years and the network offers an array of secondment options with financial supports in place. The
59
