Deakin

A BH Neumann Award was presented to Michael Deakin at ET's Restaurant, 211 High Street, Prahran, on Friday 16 May 2003.

Michael receives his award from Professor Peter Taylor, Executive Director of the Trust.

Michael and family. From left Adrian's partner Jasmin, son Adrian, Michael, wife Rayda and Peter Taylor.

Citation

Michael Deakin earns a BH Neumann Award on the basis of a rich and varied commitment to mathematics enrichment. At the secondary level this is most noted by 21 years service on the Editorial Board of the school mathematics Journal Function, most of which has been as Chief Editor. The value of journals such as this cannot be underestimated, as they provide major capacity for students to develop their knowledge and appreciation of mathematics.

Michael's particular mathematics contribution to this Journal, the Australian Mathematics Society Gazette, many other Journals, books and in other forms have also enriched the student population, the mathematics profession and community generally.

This has mainly happened through his interest in the history of mathematics, applications of mathematics (particularly in biology) and pedagogy. His work in history includes a definitive history of the Laplace Transform (which appeared in four parts in Archive for History of Exact Sciences), biographies of Hypatia of Alexandria and the mathematician HS Carslaw and frequent contributions on Gender and Mathematicians, particularly the contribution of a number of distinguished female mathematicians.

Having obtained an honours degree at the University of Melbourne in 1961, Michael proceeded to a Masters degree there in 1963, while serving as Senior Tutor and Acting Lecturer. From 1963 to 1966 he was a University Fellow at the University of Chicago, during which time he completed a PhD. From 1967 to 1969 he was a Lecturer at Monash University and then served three years, from 1970 to 1972 as Reader-in-Charge, in the Department of Mathematics at ITHE in Papua New Guinea. In 1973 he returned to Monash as a Senior Lecturer and held that post until his recent retirement.

Almost uniquely among University mathematicians, Michael showed his interest in Education by obtaining a qualification in that area, an MEd at Exeter in 1975.

Michael has shown an interest in education in the developing countries of this region by taking on consultancies not only in Papua New Guinea, but also in Indonesia between 1986 and 1994.

Michael was one of the most active members of the Monash Mathematics staff. Not only did he undertake the research roles outlined above and in Applied Mathematics, he was also one of the leaders in developing better teaching techniques at the tertiary level and supplying resources to students. He was a pioneer in introducing courses on modelling to students and received very favourable ratings by students. He was a member of Monash's "Tertiary Teaching" research group, and the only member to publish in this area. At Monash he was versatile, teaching also Statistics to third year level, various units in Pure Mathematics and was involved with a wide variety of the normally less-popular service teaching.

Michael has fully earned this award with a very wide record of service.

Peter Taylor

16 May 2003