Annual Meeting of CRM’s SAB: A Conversation with Chair Robert MacKay

• The CRM Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), comprising distinguished international mathematicians, held its annual meeting from July 8th to 10th, coinciding with CRM’s 40th anniversary, focusing on advising CRM’s strategic direction and evaluating its research program.
• We spoke with Robert MacKay, chair of the Scientific Advisory Board, about the changes and challenges that the CRM has experienced in recent years.

The Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (CRM) held its annual meeting from July 8 to 10. As a key body in guiding the centre’s strategic direction and shaping its scientific programme, the SAB plays a crucial role in the CRM’s development. The board comprises distinguished scientists from prestigious institutions worldwide, including Professor Nicolas Brunel from Duke University, Professor Helen Byrne from Oxford University, Professor Albert Cohen from Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Professor Kathryn Hess from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Professor Ari Laptev from Imperial College London, Professor Gábor Lugosi from Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Professor Alessandra Micheletti from Università degli Studi di Milano, Professor Carmen Miguel from Universitat de Barcelona, Professor Peregrina Quintela from Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Professor Mikhail Sodin from Tel Aviv University, and Professor Katrin Wendland from Trinity College Dublin.

This year’s meeting was particularly significant as it coincided with CRM’s 40th anniversary. Established in 1984, CRM has grown into a leading institution for mathematical research in Spain and beyond. Speaking with Professor Robert MacKay, Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) for the past four years and a faculty member at the University of Warwick, he emphasized the board’s role in shaping CRM’s strategic direction.

“The role of the CRM Advisory Board is to advise the director and the management of the centre on its research agenda and to carry out evaluations of research done at CRM,” MacKay explained. He highlighted the recent shift towards a more structured assessment process, which now includes formal evaluations of research staff as well as approval of the affiliation of researchers from three of the universities in Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

Navigating Challenges and Embracing Change

CRM has faced numerous challenges in the last few years, particularly in aligning with local, national, and international funding systems. MacKay, who first visited the CRM as an invited researcher in 1987, pointed out that centre “has had to reinvent itself to fit with what the funding agencies would like to see, particularly through the affiliation process.” With over 80 affiliated researchers, CRM boasts a broad range of research topics as well. Balancing this diversity, from pure mathematics to applied fields, requires careful coordination.

MacKay stressed the importance of maintaining an open dialogue between different research groups to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. “There is a big difference in approach between some of the more traditional “pure” mathematicians and those involved in real-world applications,” MacKay said. “Encouraging more integration is important, as mathematical tools developed for pure interest can often be applied to real-world problems and real-world problems can stimulate new mathematics.”

CRM’s capacity to attract international talent is a testament to its strong research groups and unique opportunities for PhD students and postdocs. The centre provides a distinctive experience compared to classical universities, making it an attractive destination for budding mathematicians. “We had the pleasure of speaking with some of the CRM PhD and Postdoctoral researchers during the SAB meeting. The strong research groups at CRM, including the broader CRM with the affiliations, make it an attractive place to be.” MacKay stated.

Looking to the future, “The opportunity is there to be a leading research centre for mathematics in Catalonia and internationally,” MacKay noted. “The challenges seem to be mainly at the bureaucratic level, in order to obtain funding and  make the necessary agreements with agencies and other institutions needed for CRM’s effective operation.”

As CRM celebrates its 40th anniversary, it continues to build on its rich legacy, adapting to new scientific challenges and fostering a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community. The guidance from the Scientific Advisory Board and its members will be instrumental in navigating the path ahead and seizing the opportunities to further consolidate CRM’s standing in mathematical research.