Keynote - Professor Alan Champneys

Breaking the rules: the role of creativity in the mathematical sciences

Abstract

If mathematics is completely rules based, how can it be used creatively to generate new ideas? In attempting to answer this question, I have come to realise that, at some level at least, we all hate maths because we tend to get stuck and confused. But, I argue that in order to be truly creative we should learn to embrace rather than fear that feeling. That leads to the question, what is creativity? I don't know, but throughout my career in mathematics teaching, research and promotion I recognise that creativity often arises via the same process. Moreover this process is essentially the same as in the arts or in business; it tends involve simplification, borrowing, and juxtaposition. That is, taking one or more simple, well-known, obvious concepts from one domain, and applying them in another. Even in mathematics, the key to unlocking a creative idea can be to simply ask questions. Through this inquisitive approach we strip a problem back to its bare essentials. And then, we perform a `twist'.  In explaining this, I shall attempt to draw parallels with the art of Banksy, the music of Leonard Cohen and the writing of Douglas Adams. Moreover, I shall explain how, as with so many creative endeavours,  for me at least, mathematics is most often a team sport. 

Professor Alan Champneys

Alan Champneys is Professor of Applied Nonlinear Mathematics at the University of Bristol.  His specialties are:

• Dynamical systems and bifurcation theory

• Interdisciplinary mathematical modelling; engineering mechanics, industrial mathematics, physiology and medicine, systems engineering, renewable energy.

• Mathematical education of engineers, popularisation of mathematics. 

Professor Champneys was awarded the IMA's David Youdan Medal in November 2024.  He has served the IMA in many roles and contributes a regular column "Westward Ho! musings on maths and mechanics" to Mathematics Today.  He is one of the pseudonymous authors of the book 50 Visions of Mathematics, published to mark the IMA's 50th anniversary.