School of Computational and Mathematical Sciences launches with inaugural Bob Churchhouse Lecture
24 September 2026
The newly formed School of Computational and Mathematical Sciences marked the beginning of a new chapter with a launch event bringing together staff, senior leaders and invited guests.
Established in August 2026, the School brings together the former School of Mathematics and the School of Computer Science & Informatics, creating a new interdisciplinary home for research and education in computational and mathematical sciences.
Staff from across the new School were joined by the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor to celebrate the occasion and reflect on the opportunities ahead.
Welcoming guests to the event, Head of School Professor Jon Gillard described the launch as "the beginning" for the new School.
He emphasised that the new School brings two strong academic communities together, each with its own history and achievements. Now we have an opportunity to build something exciting together – a place of genuine collaboration and ambition.
He said; "this school is new; what it becomes will depend on all of us."
Our ambition is to build a School that is intellectually ambitious, outward-looking and genuinely collaborative: a place where excellent fundamental research sits alongside innovation, outstanding education and strong partnerships with industry and society. Together we have a unique opportunity to define what this School becomes.
As part of the celebrations, Professor Gillard announced the inaugural Bob Churchhouse Lecture.
Professor Churchhouse was the first Head and inaugural Professor of the Department of Computing Mathematics at what was then University College Cardiff, following its establishment in 1971. A pioneer in the development of computing and mathematics at Cardiff, Professor Churchhouse recognised early on the growing importance of computing, mathematics, and what could happen when the two came together. His influence helped shape the foundations of the disciplines that form the new School.
The inaugural lecture, titled ‘The Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Computational & Mathematical Sciences and their Teaching,’ was delivered by Professor James Davenport, Hebron and Medlock Professor of Information Technology at the University of Bath.
In his lecture, Professor Davenport reflected on the remarkable technological changes that have taken place since the 1970s. His lecture considered how developments in computing have transformed the way mathematics is taught and learned, and highlighted the pedagogical questions raised by machine learning and artificial intelligence.
He encouraged educators to consider how mathematical education can adapt while continuing to develop critical understanding and problem-solving skills.
Following Professor Davenport’s lecture, early career researcher Anqi Lu presented her research on observable jump dynamics, and a guest from the School’s industrial partner Nationwide Matthew Jones spoke to visitors about how industry and academia can ‘turbo-charge the future of AI’ together.
As the School of Computational and Mathematical Sciences begins its journey, the launch event provided an opportunity to reflect on its foundations but also to look forward, and to think differently about the future of computer science and mathematics.
