Mathematical modelling for the digital society

Grindrod, P. (2011) Mathematical modelling for the digital society. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics, 76 (3). pp. 475-492. ISSN 1464-3634 doi: 10.1093/imamat/hxq050

Abstract/Summary

We argue the case for a new branch of mathematics and its applications: Mathematics for the Digital Society. There is a challenge for mathematics, a strong “pull” from new and emerging commercial and public activities; and a need to train and inspire a generation of quantitative scientists who will seek careers within the associated sectors. Although now going through an early phase of boiling up, prior to scholarly distillation, we discuss how data rich activities and applications may benefit from a wide range of continuous and discrete models, methods, analysis and inference. In ten years time such applications will be common place and associated courses may be embedded within the undergraduate curriculum.