How Study Groups Work

Problem Solving

A Study Group provides a forum for:

Exploiting the expertise of leading applied mathematicians to find solutions to industrial problems
Clarifying and clearly formulating a problem
Bringing new perspectives and fresh ideas
Brainstorming on mechanisms and methodologies
Finding state-of-the-art solution procedures

Past industrial participants have found that a Study Group has:

Found solutions and insights into existing industrial problems
Established lasting and productive working links with research applied mathematicians
Raised and investigated research issues of long-term significance
Expanded employment opportunities and company profiles with postgraduate students
Stimulated greater awareness in the wider community of the power of mathematics in providing solution paths to real-world problems

The week-long workshop attracts over 80 mathematicians from a wide range of backgrounds to work on the selected industrial problems.
A training course runs concurrently with the workshop providing wider background material on new mathematical research topics related to the industrial problems.
On the first day the industrial representatives outline their project and their objectives.
The next two or three of days are devoted to brainstorming, modelling and solving the problems closely guided by the industrial representative. Participants are free to apply their expertise to any of the projects.
On the Friday the progress and recommended routes forward are presented.
Reports on the problem deliberations are produced after the meeting. (Some reports from previous study groups are available here.

Mathematical Problems in Industry Workshop Celebrates 25 Years Louis F. Rossi (SIAM news, Apr 1, 2010)
European Study Groups with Industry at 40 Years Pedro Freitas (SIAM news, Mar 21, 2009)
Have we got problems for you Jon Chapman (New Scientist, Jun 22, 1996, .txt)
Troubleshooting numbers Andrew Watson (New Scientist, Feb 17, 1996)
Applying Mathematics to Industry Chris Breward (Saudi Gazette, Feb 1, 2011)