About/Bio

I have taught students in HE on a wide range of applied mathematics courses for mathematics and mathematical sciences programmes, and on programmes in other disciplines, and at all levels, for 36 years. He has wide experience of most facets of undergraduate and postgraduate study, and particularly the school-university transition. He has also reviewed the provision in a range of university mathematics departments as part of activities for QAA, External Periodic Review, External Examining, and IMA Accreditation. Paul has considerable experience of education policy and practice in the pre-HE sector, and particularly Post 16 Mathematics, and on the school-university transition, as outlined below.

I am a Professor of Mathematics and Mathematics Education in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Reading. As well as 36 years’ teaching and leadership experience, his 400+ publications span research in numerical analysis, mathematics/science education, and teaching and learning. He is a regular invited speaker at national conferences and workshops.

I have reviewed A-level Mathematics and Further Mathematics as a member of ALCAB, and reviewed Core Maths (CM) qualifications for the DfE.

I have been or am currently a consultant to the Core Maths Support Programme (CMSP); an External Expert Advisor to Ofqual working on the reforms to AS/A-level; a reader (assessor) for The Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education.

I am or have recently been a member of: the Royal Society’s Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME); Council of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA); Senior Advisory Boards for Teaching, Managing, Promoting CM, and the DfE/HE Group on CM; the: A-level Mathematics Advisory Board (ALMAB); Royal Society’s A level Contact Group; DfE Standards & Testing Agency Task Review Group; London Mathematical Society’s (LMS) International Affairs Committee; External Advisory Board for Future Teaching Scholars; External Advisory Board (and Reviewer) for the Nuffield Foundation Projects; External Advisory Board for the Association of Colleges; IMA Schools and FE Committee; National Maths Hubs Forum, the Maths Hubs National Coordination team for Level 3, Strategic Partner Boards four Maths Hubs: Berks, Bucks and Oxon (Chair); NW1; Solent; and Surrey Plus, and works with NCTL on ITE/ITT, teacher supply, recruitment and retention, and TSST, including membership of the DfE/NCTL Stakeholder Group for TSST and Chair, DfE/NCTL-JMC Expert Review Panel for TSST.

I have been heavily involved in outreach activities, which include: Mathematics Masterclasses; Widening Participation Summer Schools; Enrichment Days, and has been a STEM Ambassador for many years. He has developed resources for use in outreach on: prime, transcendental, and Fibonacci numbers; proof; as well as codes, code-breaking, and internet security.

I am a Fellow of the IMA, a member of the LMS, a Chartered Mathematician, a Chartered Scientist, a Qualified Teacher (QTS), and a Fellow of the HEA.

I am currently briefing universities on Core Maths, and post-16 mathematics more generally, following an invitation to them from BIS/DfE to find out more about Core Maths. He has also been supporting the work of the DfE/HMT Smith Review of Post 16 Mathematics.

I am also the Chair of The Joint Mathematical Council of the UK (JMC).