The University of Nottingham has secured a founding £8m grant from XTX Markets to establish the Observatory for Mathematical Education.
The Observatory will generate state-of -the-art, data-driven research to support the national improvement of mathematics education from the start of school to post-graduate level, with long-term benefits for individuals and society.
The Observatory will bring together mathematicians and mathematics education researchers within the University and newly hired specialists. It will establish the first dedicated, ONS secure data lab for mathematics education research in the country.
The team will conduct wide-ranging analyses of administrative datasets and national panel surveys. It will integrate this with large-scale longitudinal cohort studies across primary, secondary and higher education and a suite of other research projects and evaluations. Put together this will enable the Observatory team to better understand, and support the improvement of, the maths pipeline.
The Observatory's research programme and wider monitoring and knowledge exchange activity will enable it to advise key stakeholder groups on all aspects of mathematics education.
Professor Andrew Noyes, the Observatory's founding Director, said: "There are few opportunities in one's career to establish and lead such an ambitious, sustained and exciting programme of educational research in a strategically important Observatory such as this.
There are few opportunities in one's career to establish and lead such an ambitious, sustained and exciting programme of educational research in a strategically important Observatory such as this.
"Mathematical education is high on the national agenda, and we are excited to play a role in shaping the mathematical futures of young people and of our society, building on the long tradition of outstanding research in mathematics education at the University"
Professor Jane Norman, Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Nottingham, said: "As the Government seeks to improve and expand on mathematical education across the country, we are delighted to be receiving philanthropic funding from XTX Markets for this new Observatory at the University of Nottingham.
"In the coming years, this will allow us to research mathematical education and the underlying attitudes surrounding this. We look forward to seeing the research and results that come from this exciting new collaboration at the university."
Simon Coyle, Head of Philanthropy at XTX Markets, said: "XTX Markets is delighted to make a founding donation to establish the Observatory for Mathematical Education. The University of Nottingham's original research informed our Maths Excellence Pathways report earlier this year and influenced the creation of a new Maths Excellence Fund.
"The Observatory will provide high-quality insights over the years ahead, and we look forward to working with partners across the education sector to build on these insights and improve maths outcomes for all young people."
