Keynote - Professor Rachel Hilliam

A career in mathematical sciences: A directed graph or a random walk?

Abstract

Mathematics is at the heart of so many disciplines. In this talk we will look at the range of mathematical techniques that I have used throughout my career and what I have learnt along the way. From developing an expert system to aid with the diagnosis of brain disorders, using two-dimensional chaotic systems in communications through to developing a quality of life tool for lymphedema patients; what does all this have in common? Finally we will explore the role that we have to play as mathematicians, in this world of Data Science and AI.

Professor Rachel Hilliam

Rachel Hilliam is Professor of Statistics in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the Open University, where she is currently Head of School, having worked in a number of universities and as a medical statistician in the NHS before joining The Open University in 2011.

She has a strong interest in teaching statistics and is a regular contributor to the annual Induction Course for New Lecturers in Mathematics Sciences organised by the Institute of Mathematics and its Application. Rachel is a founding member of the Teaching Statistics Section at the RSS and is a founding co-organiser, along with Michael Grove (IMA and University of Birmingham) and Kevin Houston (LMS and University of Leeds), of TALMO (Teaching and Learning Mathematics Online).

During 2021-2023 Rachel was Vice-President of the Royal Statistical Society and the inaugural chair of the Alliance for Data Science Professionals of which she is now Chair Emeritus. In 2024 Rachel was awarded The Chambers Medal by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS), a prestigious commendation of her significant contribution to data science.