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

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.

Swarming cicadas, stock traders, and the wisdom of the crowd

Professor Ray Goldstein FRS, Professor Robert Jack and Dr Adriana Pesci have discovered that the springtime emergence of vast swarms of cicadas can be explained by a mathematical model of collective decision-making with similarities to models describing stock market crashes.

Professor Tim Pedley FRS awarded 2024 Euromech Fluid Mechanics Prize

Congratulations to Professor Tim Pedley, who has been awarded the 2024 Euromech Fluid Mechanics Prize by the European Mechanics Society. The prize is awarded in recognition of his outstanding contributions to fluid mechanics applied to biology and medicine.