On 18 May, President of the London Mathematical Society Professor Ulrike Tillmann gave evidence to Parliament's Science and Technology Committee in their inquiry into Diversity and Inclusion in STEM. During the session, Professor Tillmann highlighted the need for better data tracking diversity and inclusion in mathematics, better and more mathematics teachers and called for the creation of a maths foundation year.
Asked by Carol Monaghan MP about the performances of girls and boys at A-Level maths, Professor Tillmann said:
“statistics that come through say that, actually, girls perform at least as well—probably a little bit better—at both GCSE and A-level in mathematics. From that point of view, I don’t think there is any worry about girls not being as able at maths or not liking it.”
Professor Tillmann also called for the Government to allocate the full £300 million of additional funding for the mathematical sciences that they promised in January 2020. £196 million of this has not yet been allocated and is needed to provide greatly needed investment in mathematics.
She also called for better data collection on EDI characteristics and called on the select committee to signal the importance of mathematics, by changing its name to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Committee.