DAMTP | Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics

The Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics is one of the largest and strongest of its kind in Europe. The Department currently hosts approximately 140 Academic and Research Staff and around 160 PhD students at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences, a purpose-built complex in Wilberforce Road, Cambridge.

Research in DAMTP is loosely organised into eight broad subject areas: Applied and Computational Analysis, Astrophysics, Geophysics, Fluid and Solid Mechanics, Mathematical Biology, Quantum Information, High Energy Physics and General Relativity and Cosmology. Many members of staff contribute to more than one area and this is regarded as a key factor in the continuing success of DAMTP. Research in each of the subject areas involves collaboration with strong groups nationally and internationally, and participation in numerous interdisciplinary projects and programmes.

News & Events

Professor Anne-Christine Davis awarded OBE in the King's Birthday Honours list

Congratulations to Professor Anne-Christine Davis who has received an OBE in the 2024 King's Birthday Honours list. The honour has been awarded for services to Higher Education and to Scientific Research.

Senior Academic Promotions

Four members of DAMTP have been promoted in the most recent Academic Careers Pathways exercise.

With effect from 1 October 2024, Blake Sherwin and Ulrich Sperhake are promoted to Professor (Grade 12); Aron Wall is promoted to Professor (Grade 11); and Steven Gratton is promoted to an Associate Teaching Professorship (Grade 9).

Congratulations to all!

Professor Eric Lauga FRS and Professor Mihaela van der Schaar FRS elected Fellows of the Royal Society

Congratulations to Eric Lauga, Professor of Applied Mathematics, and Mihaela van der Schaar, John Humphrey Plummer Professor of Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Medicine, who have been elected as new Fellows of the Royal Society.

Together with John Aston and Oscar Randal-Williams from the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, they have been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society in recognition of their outstanding research and work.

DAMTP Colloquium - Wednesday 1 May, 4pm

Professor Ray Goldstein FRS, Alan Turing Professor of Complex Physical Systems, will give the first DAMTP Colloquium on 'Geometrical Aspects of Evolutionary Transitions to Multicellularity'. The talk will be held on Wednesday 1 May 2024 at 4pm in MR2, and will be followed by a wine reception in Central Core.

Ray Goldstein also explains more about his broader work in mathematical biology, and Turing's impact on this area, in this article and video interview on the Faculty website, linked below.

Mapping DNA diversity with quantum computing

A research collaboration led by DAMTP's Dr Sergii Strelchuk is one of 12 projects worldwide to be selected for the Wellcome Leap Quantum for Bio (Q4Bio) Supported Challenge Program.

The project has been awarded up to $3.5 million in funding to explore the potential of quantum computing to help improve human health.

Contagious Maths: bringing mathematical research into the classroom

New 'Contagious Maths' school and public engagement resources, developed by Professor Julia Gog and the Faculty's MMP outreach programme, aim to share the excitement of mathematical research and link it to the school curriculum to highlight the role of mathematics in tackling real-world problems. The project was supported by a Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award.

Find out more

Professor Michael McIntyre FRS awarded Symons Gold Medal of the Royal Meteorological Society

Congratulations to Michael McIntyre FRS, Professor Emeritus of Atmospheric Dynamics, who has been awarded the Symons Gold Medal of the Royal Meteorological Society. The Symons Gold Medal and Lecture for Lifetime Achievement in Advancing Science is awarded biennially to a Member or Fellow of the Society for distinguished work in connection with meteorological science.

Michael will deliver the Symons Gold Medal Lecture online at 1200 on Wednesday 15 May.