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 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.

Dirac Lecture - Monday 13 May 2024, 2.30pm

We are delighted to welcome Professor Lisa Randall (Harvard University) as the distinguished speaker for the 2024 Dirac Lecture, titled 'Lessons from a Warped Fifth Dimension'.

The lecture will take place at 2.30pm on Monday 13 May 2024 in MR2. The annual Dirac Lecture, established jointly by St John's College and the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, is named after Paul Dirac, Nobel Prize-winning physicist and former Lucasian Professor of Mathematics.

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.

Professor Douglas Gough FRS awarded 2024 Crafoord Prize in Astronomy

Congratulations to Douglas Gough, Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics in DAMTP and the IoA, on the award of the 2024 Crafoord Prize in Astronomy. The Crafoord Prize is among the world's most prestigious science prizes, and is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to honour achievements in disciplines chosen to complement the Nobel Prizes.