Institute of Mathematics and its Applications

The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) is the chartered professional body for mathematicians in the United Kingdom. It is one of the learned societies for mathematics there, along with the London Mathematical Society.

The IMA works to help mathematics grow and be used in many ways. It supports research, learning, and teaching in mathematics. The IMA also wants to make sure that people who study and work with mathematics follow good rules and standards.

By doing these things, the IMA helps make mathematics strong and useful for everyone, from school children to scientists and engineers.

History

In 1959, important people noticed that there was a need for a special group to support mathematics and how it is used in real life. Two leaders, Sir James Lighthill and a group of math teachers from colleges, started talking about this idea. After talking for many years, they decided on a name and rules for the group in 1963. The group, called the IMA, became an official organization on April 23, 1964. Later, in 1990, it got special approval from the government, and in 1993, it became a charity to help support math learning and use.

Governance

The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications is led by a group of people called a Council. This group includes a president, some past presidents, and other important members. The president changes every two years. Over the years, many talented people have served as president, such as Sir James Lighthill, Professor George Barnard, and Professor Hannah Fry.

Besides the president, there are six special roles called honorary officers. These roles help manage the institute and support its work in making mathematics better and more fun for everyone.

Membership

The IMA has about 5,000 members from the United Kingdom and other places. These members work in schools, universities, businesses, and government jobs. The IMA offers different levels of membership based on experience and education.

There are several ways to become a member. Fellows (FIMA) have many years of experience and important jobs using math. Members (MIMA) also have strong math backgrounds and work in jobs that need math skills. Associate Members (AMIMA) usually have a degree in math or a related subject. Students are studying math and working toward a qualification. Affiliates can join without any special requirements.

Professional status

In 1990, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications received special recognition and the right to give out the title of Chartered Mathematician (CMath). The institute can also suggest people for another title, Chartered Scientist (CSci), and can award a special title for teachers called Chartered Mathematics Teacher (CMathTeach).

Publications

Mathematics Today is a magazine about math that comes out six times a year. It has articles, reviews, and news about new things in math and how we use it.

The IMA works with Oxford University Press to publish eight research journals, including:

• IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics
• IMA Journal of Numerical Analysis
• Mathematical Medicine and Biology
• IMA Journal of Mathematical Control and Information
• IMA Journal of Management Mathematics
• Teaching Mathematics and its Applications
• Information and Inference: A Journal of the IMA
• Transactions of Mathematics and its Applications

Since 2008, the IMA has also shared a podcast called Travels in a Mathematical World, along with conference papers, books, and newsletters for special groups.

Conferences

The IMA holds around 8 to 10 conferences each year. These are special meetings where mathematicians share and talk about new discoveries and ideas in their field.

Education activities

The IMA helps teach and support math learning through special groups for schools and universities. It offers a Programme Approval Scheme to check if degree courses meet the standards needed to become a Chartered Mathematician. These courses must be at least three years long and cover enough math topics.

The IMA also gives out education grants up to £600 to help teachers and students organize math activities, like bringing speakers to schools or attending conferences. There is also a university liaison officer who works with students and gives out smaller grants to university math groups to plan more events and work together with the IMA.

Prizes

The IMA gives out several awards for achievements in mathematics. These include the Leslie Fox Prize for Numerical Analysis and the IMA Gold Medal for long-term contributions to mathematics. They also have special prizes for students at universities across the UK.

Together with the London Mathematical Society, the IMA gives out the Christopher Zeeman Medal for explaining math well and the David Crighton Medal for service to the math community. Every two years, they also give the IMA Lighthill-Thwaites Prize to young mathematicians who show great promise.

Branches

The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) has groups called branches all over the United Kingdom and Ireland. These branches help the IMA by planning local events like talks, learning opportunities, and activities for the public, sometimes with famous mathematicians.

As of October 2025, the IMA has branches in these places:

• East Midlands
• Irish
• London and South East
• North West
• Scottish
• West Midlands
• South West and Wales
• Yorkshire

The main office of the IMA is in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

Early Career Mathematicians Group

The Early Career Mathematicians Group of the IMA organizes conferences and other activities for mathematicians who are early in their careers, specifically those within the first 15 years of their professional journey. These events help young mathematicians connect, learn, and grow in their field.

Social networking

The IMA has groups on Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as a YouTube channel and accounts on Instagram, Threads, and X. These platforms help share news, events, and activities related to mathematics and its uses.

Interaction with other bodies

The IMA works together with other groups to support mathematics in the UK. Along with the London Mathematical Society, the Royal Statistical Society, the Edinburgh Mathematical Society, and the Operational Research Society, it forms the Council for the Mathematical Sciences. The IMA is also a member of the Joint Mathematical Council and helps guide the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education.