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The Centre for Societal Engagement has developed a growing and increasingly strategic partnership with 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ’s Department of Mathematics. Over recent years, this collaboration has expanded across flagship public events, schools and widening participation activity, White City programming, staff development, and community-based engagement.

A key part of this work has been increasing the visibility of mathematics within 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ’s public engagement programme. The Department now has an annual presence at the (50K+ visitors) through the Maths Exploratorium, programmed by Dr Sam Brzezicki, creating a lively and accessible space for public audiences to explore mathematical ideas and research. Mathematics has also featured in 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ Lates (c. 800 visitors) including the 2019 Xmaths event and the 2025 Weird Science 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ Lates, as well as in Festival activity involving 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ College Maths School students.

Mathematics colleagues have contributed across a range of public and community engagement activity, including Vanessa Madu (pictured, top), who has been involved in both White City programming and wider engagement development. Mathematics activity formed part of the White City Activity Packs in 2022 (1,200 packs distributed), with contributions from both Madu and Nora Schmitt, and new family-focused activity is in development, including a planned fractal art workshop.

Alongside public programming, the Centre has supported Mathematics colleagues to develop more collaborative and community-focused engagement. A recent example is a successful Royal Society Public Engagement funding bid led with Professor Michele Coti Zelati, which will bring together researchers, local creative practitioners and Muslim communities in West London to explore fluid dynamics through traditional Islamic art practices. The project will be delivered through the Great Exhibition Road Festival, 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ Lates and White City Discovery Days.

The Department has also engaged with the Centre’s training and recognition programmes. Since 2021/22, Mathematics colleagues including Timothy Kang, Ashvni Narayanan and Shubham Gupta have taken part in masterclasses. Jonathan Clarke and Sam Brzezicki have also participated in the Engagement Academy, and Mathematics colleagues are represented in the Societal Engagement Champions network. Together, this activity is helping to build internal capacity and support a growing culture of engagement across the Department.

Together, these activities reflect a strong and evolving relationship, with mathematics playing an increasingly visible role in 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ’s public and community engagement work.