Overview

Research activity commenced at AIMS South Africa in 2003, mostly through a limited number of short-term research fellowships sponsored by the Ford Foundation, the Victor Rothschild Memorial Fund and the National Research Foundation. However, research at AIMS South Africa started off in earnest after the AIMS South Africa Research Centre was launched during May 2008 (following the purchase and refurbishment of two historical double-storey houses opposite the AIMS main building in Melrose Road) and after a grant was secured from the Department of Science and Technology at the end of 2008.

The Research Centre was launched with the mission to conduct and foster outstanding research and learning in the mathematical sciences, thus contributing to the next generation of pan-African leaders in many spheres and the advancement of African science and academia within a multicultural environment.

This is achieved by creating a research environment with focused themes; integrating research with postgraduate training and developing young researchers; and providing a space for mathematical scientists to work together and interact with local and international researchers within their focus framework. 

The research conducted has a strong focus on cutting-edge topics which relate to mathematical modelling in a multi-disciplinary context. In particular those that are most relevant to African development, especially in fields where scientists in Africa have a competitive advantage and can do world-leading research. 

Research is focused on the following areas:

• Cosmology & Astrophysics
• Data Science & Information Systems
• Machine Learning for Ecology
• Mathematical & Physical Biosciences
• Mathematical Finance
• Mathematical Foundations & Scientific Computing
• Quantum Computing

Close involvement with local universities and other research institutions is encouraged, thus widening the pool of available expertise and serving to initiate long-term research programmes in the local academic community. Researchers also collaborate with international experts in their field and with researchers in Africa to ensure strong pan-African participation in the Centre’s programmes, and to stimulate the growth of pan-African research networks and partnerships.

We also maintain close ties with industry by running programmes associated with particular industrial needs, assisting in capacity building and collaboration on innovative projects.