Leicester mathematician takes his research to Parliament

Nicholas Williams, a PhD student in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Leicester, attended Parliament to present his mathematics research to a range of politicians and a panel of expert judges as part of STEM for Britain on Wednesday 13 March 2019.

Nicholas’s poster on research about algebra and geometry was judged against dozens of other scientists’ research in the only national competition of its kind. Nicholas was shortlisted from hundreds of applicants to appear in Parliament.

On presenting his research in Parliament, he said: “I had a great time visiting Parliament to exhibit my research. It was exciting to inform our MPs about the sort of research happening in British universities, and I hope I was able to give MPs some idea of the nature and purpose of research in pure mathematics.

“I was particularly happy to meet the MP for Leicester South, Jon Ashworth, who was kind enough to visit to hear about my research. I also really enjoyed presenting my poster to the judges and mingling with other early-career researchers.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, said: “This annual competition is an important date in the parliamentary calendar because it gives MPs an opportunity to speak to a wide range of the country’s best young researchers. These early-career engineers, mathematicians and scientists are the architects of our future and STEM for Britain is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.”