Lecturer invited to be part of international mathematics research project

USQ mathematics lecturer Dr Oleksiy Yevdokimov has been invited to be part of an international committee that will undertake a major research project on mathematics education.

Dr Yevdokimov will take up a position on the International Program Committee (IPC) for a forthcoming International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) study.

An official commission of the International Mathematical Union (IMU), the ICMI has, since the mid 1980's, invited mathematicians and mathematics educators around the world to collaborate on a number of international research projects.

'I was invited by the Executive Committee of the ICMI to be a member of the IPC for a study titled The Role of Proof and Proving in Mathematics Education,' Dr Yevdokimov said.

'As well as the other members of the IPC I will play a leading role in establishing the ICMI study, which will also look at consideration of a renewed curriculum emphasis on proof that can be observed in many countries.

'Proof lies at the heart of mathematics and we will also be assessing the role and impact of proof in the teaching and learning of mathematics.'

A lengthy study, Dr Yevdokimov will be working with other renowned mathematicians for a number of years on the project.

'Usually a full research term of each ICMI study is four years, which includes a study conference with all of the research activities during that time conducted by the IPC,' he said.

'Each IPC consists of 10 to 12 researchers with a recognised international research profile in the area.

'Invitation is based on merit and this is a great international achievement for any researcher in Mathematics Education.'

Dr Yevdokimov is the only Australian university representative on the IPC and said that he was hoping to address some of the problems surrounding mathematical education in Australia.

'Members of the IPC come from around the world including the USA, Italy, Israel and France.

'Many of the questions that will be addressed in this study are intertwined with issues raised in the national review Mathematics and Statistics: Critical skills for Australia's future and the outcome of the study can provide a good contribution and response for the review.'

The four year study will begin next year, with results from the project expected at the International Congress of Mathematical Education (ICME- 12) in 2012.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628