Hi, I’m Anna. I originally chose my degree in maths and computer science because I wanted to become a cryptographer. I grew up near Bletchley Park and was deeply impressed by the impact the codebreakers had on shortening the length of the war. I was really fascinated by how maths can be used to ‘prove’ the secrecy of our communications and how computers could be used to decrypt messages.

Since graduating, I have been working as a data scientist so I get to apply statistical and machine learning techniques to explore and analyse the patterns hidden in big data. I wanted to get involved with MEI because I believe a logical mindset is an incredibly valuable skill for all members of society and something we can all continue to develop. Tutoring has taught me how diverse mathematical thinking is – most of my tutees have entirely different ways of solving the same problem – so I’m hoping more people gain confidence and interest in maths because I’ve gained something from each person’s insight!

Hello, I am Unik! I am a PhD student in Physics at the University of Liverpool working with the Japanese long baseline neutrino program. Having graduated from UCL with a degree in Physics, Mathematics and Statistics, I have always been passionate about STEM and its potential to transform lives. My interests lie in the power of education and academia to create positive change, and I am excited to be a part of the MEI Young Person Consultant Panel to contribute to this mission.

Outside of academia, I have a passion for football and play whenever I can. I also love exploring galleries and museums, enjoying the insights they provide into art, culture, and history. Additionally, I am actively involved in volunteering, particularly with my department’s outreach group, where we inspire future scientists. I find great joy in teaching and sharing knowledge, whether through tutoring, giving talks, or participating in educational projects. There’s nothing more rewarding to me than helping others discover the wonders of science and mathematics.

My name’s Beth, and I am currently studying mathematics at the University of Durham. I have been very lucky to have always been encouraged to pursue my passion for maths ever since primary school, and am excited to work with the YPCP to reach out to students of all abilities and get them involved in and enjoying maths.

I currently tutor students from age 7 to 16 in maths and am hoping to be a maths teacher in the future. My teaching experience made me eager to work with MEI on this panel after working with my students and really getting to know why they struggle to engage in maths. At school, I was the Head Student responsible for Academics and a SEND prefect. My experience with receiving support for my partial sight has also made me want to work hard to make the maths curriculum as accessible as possible.

Hiya, I’m Sophia. I’ve just finished my undergraduate degree in maths and philosophy. Learning that I have ADHD while studying for my degree really changed the way I viewed a lot of my earlier educational experiences and explained why I was having difficulty navigating maths at a high level. I’m really interested in the way maths education could be better tailored for neurodiverse students who face unique challenges but also have unique strengths. I’m looking forward to following the progress of the work MEI are doing in the area of Special Educational Needs.

Hi, I’m Desola, a final year A level student studying Maths, Further Maths, Economics, and Spanish. I am hoping to pursue Economics and Management at university. Through my studies, I’ve seen firsthand how essential maths education is, not just in maths itself but in developing skills that are valuable across a range of subjects. I believe that everyone should have access to quality maths education, which is why I joined the YPCP. I’m excited to contribute my experiences to help improve equity and access to maths education, supporting the mission of MEI to make a positive impact.

Hello, my name is Leah. I’m a recent graduate of Durham University, where I studied for a master’s in Mathematics and Statistics. During my time at university, I fell in love with the North East, so I moved here to start my career as a Data Scientist.

My passion for equality in maths led me to participate in both Durham’s decolonising the mathematics curriculum internship and in the previous generation of this panel. Through returning to work on the YPCP, I hope to continue destigmatising maths and showcasing its value to help empower people from all backgrounds to pursue mathematics to a higher level.

Hello, my name is Destiny, and I’m currently studying Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry at A level to study Biology at University, then specialise in Astrobiology afterwards. I have tutored GCSE maths in the past and am currently tutoring AS Mathematics to year 12s. I believe maths is an essential skill for everyone, and joined the YPCP to contribute my own experiences to help bring this belief to fruition.
In the past, I myself have struggled with maths and found that when I improved, I became more confident in myself, better at studying and better able to think logically, so by being a part of the YPCP, I am excited to help make the experience of maths education a more relatable and successful one.

Hi, I’m Abdur, and I’m currently studying Mathematics and Statistics at Queen Mary University of London. My journey with maths has been quite different – I used to struggle with it and got poor grades in school, but now I’m pursuing a degree in the subject. I want to share my experiences with young people, especially those who don’t enjoy maths, to help them see its importance and show them that with the right support, they can improve and succeed too.

Hello, my name is Holly and I have just graduated from the University of York with a maths degree. I am about to begin a PGCE in secondary mathematics at Oxford University, and I am looking forward to pursuing a career in maths education. I am so excited to be a member of MEI’s YPCP as this will allow me to help shape mathematics education for future students whilst also nurturing my own passion for the subject. I hope to help make maths a more accessible and less daunting subject for students, and to show them that though sometimes maths may seem an impossible challenge, with the right tools and mindset, students can tackle any problem they may face.

Hi, my name is Calum, and I am a second year A level student from the North West studying both maths and further maths. For me, I joined the YPCP as I believe that mathematics is an essential life skill that is often misunderstood and misrepresented at GCSE. The elegance and beauty of mathematics is often lost in the GCSE and leads to lower uptake of maths at A level. Students simply associate maths with boring, abstract ideas without any application; this simply isn’t true! I hope that during my time with the YPCP I am able to help develop resources and foster innovation within mathematics education, leading to greater uptake of maths qualifications post-16 and students finding more enjoyment from mathematics.