Sir,
James Franklin raised many pertinent points in his article \lq\lq Where is Mathematics Going?" (Vol 24, pp 114-119). He observes that mathematics looks like it \lq\lq is going down the gurgler" and cites severe reductions in the size of mathematics departments at Australian universities as a symptom of a worsening crisis. He goes on to argue the need for mathematics as a profession to reinvent itself, and offers some constructive suggestions as to how this might be achieved.
I congratulate Franklin for keeping these important matters at the forefront of our attention. However as President of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Council (AMSC) and Board member of the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS), it is my duty to correct a few perceptions.
The Australian Mathematical Society is represented in FASTS through AMSC. AMSC also represents the Statistical Society of Australia, the Australian Society for Operations Research, and the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia. Your membership of FASTS costs $4.50 per head. My view is that this is outstanding value for money.
Details of the activities of FASTS and the AMSC can be found through the respective WWW pages
A glance at these pages will show that AMSC and FASTS have both been very active this year.
Contrary to statements in Franklin's article, there have been several AMSC Press Releases this year describing unhealthy indicators for the mathematical sciences. These Press Releases led to about 10 radio interviews and newspaper articles or letters. AMSC has been very active in lobbying Federal ministers on important matters, including the introduction of numeracy benchmarks, declining funding for university departments, and the lack of teachers being trained in mathematics. As I recall, AMSC had five meetings with three Ministers (McGauran, Kemp, Ellison). Ex-Minister McGauran was kind enough to open the 1997 Mathematics-in-Industry Study Group, and he was favourably impressed with the activities displayed at that meeting. The AMSC also made substantial submissions to several major government enquiries, and lobbied hard (and successfully) to get the mathematical sciences targeted as a key area in the government's Science and Technology Awareness Program.
I should also like to point out that many generic aspects concerning the mathematical sciences, such as those raised by Franklin, were addressed in the recent Strategic Review of Mathematical Sciences Research in Australia (NBEET, 1996).
I think it is also fair to note several positive developments for the mathematical sciences in Australia.
So, it is not all bad news, although I agree with Franklin that many indicators for the mathematics profession in Australia are unfavourable. A relatively small group of people is working hard on a voluntary basis to improve this situation, and I invite Franklin to pool his energies with them. Ultimately, however, voluntary work can only get you so far, and it boils down to a question of money. In my view, our subscription fees are too low. I am in favour of a substantial increase in subscriptions so that more professional assistance can be provided.
Noel Barton
President, AMSC