Women in mathematics

As a department, we are strongly committed to equality and diversity, and the success of our female mathematicians, be they staff or students.

Mathematics and its applications have never been more important to society, nor has the diversity of places of work and study. At The University of Manchester, we pride ourselves on the diversity of our student population, where we have consistently ranked above the national averages in the gender diversity of our undergraduate, master's and research postgraduate students in mathematics.

We are constantly striving to improve the mix within our staff and student communities, where it has been consistently shown that diverse workplaces are happier and more productive. We are also extremely proud of the female mathematicians who have worked at The University of Manchester throughout history, helping to inspire students and staff alike.

Hear from our female students

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  Deimante Girniute - undergraduate student

  "The Alan Turing Building has almost everything that a student needs - modern computer cluster, study rooms and a comfortable sitting area.

  "The atmosphere was welcoming and supportive. I felt appreciated and safe as the Department was ready to help in every step."

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  Angeliki Loukatou - postgraduate researcher

  "In the UK we have very ambitious renewable targets. We try to integrate as much wind as possible, but wind is intermittent. My research is trying to use batteries to tackle that intermittency, to increase the profitability of the wind farms, while also securing a sustainable future for ourselves."

  My research in 60 seconds - watch the full video

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  Hana Palfrey - undergraduate student

  "Lecturers here are so willing to help. In an actuarial science careers workshop I attended, the lecturer said if I ever get an interview to drop him an email and he'll help me through planning for it."

  First year maths with Scarlett Slevin and Hana Palfrey - watch the full video

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  Eleanor Russell - postgraduate researcher

  "I use mathematical modelling to predict how thermal energy will diffuse through materials. If we can understand how heat is transported through a system, we can design materials which can guide heat flux in some beneficial way, for example to redirect heat around a temperature sensitive component."

  My research in 60 seconds - watch the full video

Staff profiles

This is a fantastic career to pursue! From jobs in data science, finance, education and many more, maths is incredibly useful, abstract and creative!

Professor Louise Walker

Professor Louise Walker

What generated your interest in maths?

"I have always loved maths and I always knew I wanted to pursue the subject!"

What is your background and how has it influenced your career?

"My background was in algebra. I was an undergraduate and did my masters and PhD in Manchester. Once I had completed my PhD, I did a PGCE, which allowed me to explore my passion for maths education, and it opened my eyes to teaching mathematics and the theory of learning.

"I am also passionate about working with students as partners. The PASS scheme, which I coordinated for many years, has brought together around 90 students who can work together and offer peer support with one another. I am particularly proud of this scheme as it looks at how we can improve support for students and help them break barriers between themselves and staff."

The Department of Mathematics has been very supportive of my research and I'm proud to be working in one of the biggest and best numerical analysis groups in the world.

Professor Françoise Tisseur

Professor Françoise Tisseur

Francoise Tisseur is Professor of Numerical Analysis in the Department of Mathematics, and Director of the Manchester Institute of Mathematical Sciences.

Her work focuses on nonlinear eigenvalue problems and structured matrix problems, including the development of algorithms and software.

Her world-leading research has been recognised by prestigious awards including the Whitehead Prize (2010) and Fröhlich Prize (2020) by the London Mathematical Society, and by the Adams Prize (2012) by the University of Cambridge.

Prof Tisseur teaches the theory underlying her research to undergraduate students in mathematics, as part of the third year Matrix Analysis course.

Women at Manchester throughout history

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  Kathleen Ollerenshaw (1912-2014)

  Appointed as a lecturer in Manchester shortly after WW2, Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw had a distinguished career in mathematics and politics, becoming a founding Fellow and President of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.

  Read more about Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw

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  Hanna Neumann (1914-1971)

  Hanna Neumman was a prominent group theorist, most well known for her work on varieties of groups. She contributed to Manchester gaining a reputation for strength in algebra; a tradition that continues to this day.

  Read more about Hanna Neumann

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  Phyllis Nicolson (1917-1968)

  Phyllis Nicolson received her BSc (1938), MSc (1939) and PhD (1946) in Physics from the University of Manchester. She is most well-known for her work on the Crank-Nicolson method, to numerically solve the heat equation and other similar partial differential equations.

  Read more about Phyllis Nicolson

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  Joan Walsh (1932-2017)

  Joan Walsh, who worked at The University of Manchester from 1963 to 1998, was a key figure in the development of Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing in the UK, as well as a founding Chairman of the Numerical Algorithms Group (NAG) Ltd.

  Read more about Joan Walsh