History, Mathematics, and the Public

Applications open for Sem 2 of 2023-2024

Please submit this form to apply to this project for Sem 2 of 2023-2024. The application deadline is 17:00, Mon 4 December 2023

‘History, Mathematics, and the Public’ (HMP) is a public history project that explores effective and sustainable options for engaging the public with the history of mathematics. History of mathematics brings together the expertise of historians and mathematicians, often working in close collaboration. It can draw the public in to aspects of history that seldom get addressed - for example navigation or weather forecasting - and of humanising mathematics, a subject that can otherwise seem dauntingly abstract to many people.

Numeracy pre-dates literacy and mathematics has shaped, and been shaped by, societies all over the world for at least 6000 years and arguably over 20,000. Current concerns are developing a global history of maths, including an understanding of the place of Scottish mathematics in such a global history.

HMP complements the work of the team developing the well-known MacTutor History of Mathematics website hosted by the School of Mathematics and Statistics. The project may deliver enhancements to that site or other linked or stand-alone outputs. Examples of possible activities include:

creating podcasts or videos for MacTutor
enhancing the Mathematically Curious St Andrews walking tour for online or in person audiences
developing and running workshops in local schools or the Wardlaw museum
researching the history of Maths in St Andrews through documentary and image sources, material objects, or oral history

Each semester, the team will agree the focus of activity for that semester and work together to develop materials, implement activities, and evaluate their success. Some team members may lead on research, locating sources and images, and interpreting both the mathematical and contextual elements for the public. Other team members may explore how best to engage the public and develop evaluation and sustainability plans. This could include market research, business planning and marketing, as well as the development of both digital and non-digital public engagement packages. HMP provides opportunities for all students to gain teamwork and entrepreneurial skills.

Students from any discipline are welcome to apply.

HMP will suit students with an interest in public history or maths/science communication. This might be through the power of storytelling in a variety of different media, or through interactive activities (virtual or in person). Further expertise, often found in the Schools of Computer Science, Management, or International Relations, will be useful for exploring how best to present to public audiences, promoting the project, and ensuring that it is sustainable. Language students can make a valuable contribution to developing a global perspective, especially through discovery and interpretation of non-English sources.

We are especially keen to hear from students in:
- History
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Computer Science
- Management
- International Relations
- Modern Languages
- Film Studies
Students working on this project will use the following methods and technologies:
- Research – locating and interpreting sources, producing summaries for the rest of the team and first drafts of written outputs or scripts for podcasts or videos
- Translation – discovering and translating non-English sources
- Editing – editing content produced by researchers, checking for style, accuracy, and consistency of format; guiding the overall shape and balance of content
- Digital development – developing and packaging project content into appropriate digital formats, adding it to, and developing appropriate databases
- Market research – investigating the costs and audience for different public engagement offerings, developing a marketing pitch outputs
- Publicity – developing and implementing a plan to publicise the project and engage the public with it
- Evaluation – of the effectiveness of outputs and other activities
- Project management – organising weekly team meetings, allocating tasks, keeping track of progress.
This project will be assessed through the following coursework:
- Weekly log, 20%
- Individual public history report, end of week 3, 20%
- Individual portfolio of contributions to the project, end of semester, 30%
- Individual commentary on the portfolio, end of semester, 30%

History, Mathematics, and the Public

Applications open for Sem 2 of 2023-2024

Candidate eligibility

Methods and technologies

Assessment