School of Mathematics & Statistics

Our School contributes to reducing poverty by addressing social vulnerability, access to resources, and health inequalities. The GALLANT project supports inclusive urban development, ensuring that participation in the community work  and involvement in the community research projects consider the needs of marginalised communities. Work with Public Health Scotland on air pollution and health helps identify areas where targeted interventions are needed, providing evidence to inform policies that improve well-being in disadvantaged populations. Research on clean cooking and household energy, including modelling population access and estimating health impacts, addresses energy poverty and its consequences. Additionally, growth modelling in low- and middle-income countries provides insights into child development and nutrition, supporting interventions that reduce long-term vulnerability. Collectively, these initiatives tackle structural and environmental factors that contribute to poverty and inequality.

Our School contributes to ending hunger and improving nutrition through research on food access, water quality, and growth monitoring. Collaboration with the Scottish Milk Bank involves spatio-temporal models to understand donor patterns and feeding behaviour, improving access to human milk for infants in need. Projects such as MOT4Rivers and the Ramganga water initiative support safe freshwater for agriculture and ecosystem services, underpinning sustainable food production. Research on growth modelling identifies strategies to accurately capture the growth trajectories of young children in low- and middle-income countries, providing evidence to support nutrition and health interventions. Together, these activities advance understanding and practical solutions to improve nutrition, food security, and sustainable food systems.

Our School promotes healthy lives and well-being through research, modelling, and applied projects. We work with Public Health Scotland to understand the impacts of air pollution on health, and the SofTMech group applies mathematical and statistical methods to address cardiac health challenges. Modelling population access to clean cooking, combined with household air pollution data, provides key input to the UN’s SDG 3.9.1 indicator on mortality from indoor and ambient air pollution. Spatio-temporal models developed with the Scottish Milk Bank improve understanding of donor patterns and feeding behaviour, while other models enhance clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer. Research also focuses on optimising anti-cancer therapies through dosage and scheduling simulations. These initiatives use quantitative methods to support public health, inform clinical decisions, and improve health outcomes.

Our School is committed to improving access to high-quality mathematical education and research training worldwide. Through involvement with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), staff deliver postgraduate teaching, supervise MSc dissertations, and support research training, strengthening mathematical capacity across Africa. Contributions to networks such as the France-Afrique Network for Mathematics of Sustainable Planet Earth connect researchers from Europe and Africa to apply mathematical tools to environmental and sustainability challenges. Online Distance Learning programmes make advanced training in statistics and data science accessible globally. Building on this, the Leverhulme Programme for Doctoral Training in Ecological Data Science reserves scholarships for applicants from East Africa, supporting global collaboration and developing the next generation of research leaders.

Our School promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women and underrepresented genders through institutional, community, and research initiatives. The University of Glasgow has received an institutional Bronze Award from Athena SWAN, reflecting its commitment to equality in STEM. Members of the School participate in the Piscopia Initiative, an external network supporting women and underrepresented genders across undergraduate, MSc, PhD, and research levels, fostering mentorship, collaboration, and career development. We also run a regular Women’s Tea for graduate students and staff, providing a supportive space for networking and discussion. Research investigating gender-specific differences in mortality related to temperature provides evidence to inform health and policy interventions. Together, these efforts reduce barriers, support equitable opportunities, and promote inclusive participation in education and research.

Our School supports the sustainable management of water and sanitation through research, innovation, and practical applications. MOT4Rivers investigates the effects of pollutant mixtures on freshwater biodiversity, providing evidence to inform water management. The Ramganga project addresses water challenges in developing countries, developing statistical frameworks to monitor and model water quality in the Ramganga sub-basin of the Ganges. Collaboration with the Environment Agency models metal pollutants in rivers, and we contribute to tools such as GWSDAT for groundwater monitoring and SenseH2O, a scalable approach tracking water quality from headwaters to river outlets. Locally, sustainable water use is explored through a biofilter installed on our building as part of a pilot rainwater management project. These initiatives advance monitoring, understanding, and sustainable management of freshwater resources.

Our School contributes to access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy through research, modelling, and policy support. Energy forecasting methods inform the transition to low-carbon systems, and we provide official data for the UN’s SDG 7.1.2 indicator. Contributions to the SDG 7 tracking report include the clean cooking chapter, and collaboration with the FAO produced new estimates of wood fuel and charcoal production, forming the basis of SDG 7.2.1 on renewable energy share. We also work with industry partners to model hydropower efficiency and study the environmental impacts of offshore wind, including bird mortality. Collectively, these projects support the transition to sustainable energy while balancing ecological and social considerations.

Our School promotes sustainable economic growth and decent work through research, innovation, and education. The GALLANT project explores solutions in vacant and derelict land, mobility, and community energy, supporting inclusive urban development and local economic opportunities. Research on sustainable infrastructure helps drive investment in low-carbon industries, fostering jobs and innovation in construction, energy, and related sectors. Through teaching and training programmes, we equip students with the skills needed to access high-quality employment, engage in entrepreneurial activities, and contribute to a sustainable economy. Together, these efforts support both economic development and the preparation of a capable, adaptable workforce.

Our research supports sustainable industry, infrastructure, and innovation by applying mathematical and statistical methods to address environmental and societal challenges. Participation in initiatives such as the IMA Special Interest Group on Climate, Environment, and Sustainability demonstrates how mathematics can have tangible impact. Our work includes energy forecasting for resilient UK infrastructure, designing sustainable investment frameworks, optimising water quality and treatment processes, and monitoring additive manufacturing to improve efficiency. Together, these projects show how rigorous research drives innovation while promoting sustainability and long-term economic resilience.

Our research addresses social and health inequalities by developing methods that support inclusive and equitable policy and practice. The GALLANT project embeds social equity into urban sustainability, ensuring interventions in areas such as flooding, biodiversity, active travel, and community energy consider marginalised communities. Spatial and network-based statistical approaches allow researchers to study populations often excluded from traditional analyses, providing evidence to guide more effective and fair allocation of resources. These efforts help reduce inequalities and promote fairer access to health, resources, and opportunities.

Our work promotes sustainable urban systems and responsible resource use. The GALLANT project, a partnership between Glasgow City Council, the University of Glasgow, and other collaborators, treats the city as a living laboratory to explore solutions for flooding, loss of biodiversity, vacant and derelict land, encouraging active travel, and developing community energy. It is also developing a Thriving City Portrait, adopting principles of doughnut economics to guide sustainable urban transformation. Researchers also provide evidence to support more efficient, equitable, and environmentally responsible urban development. These activities advance sustainable patterns of production and consumption within Glasgow and beyond.

Our research promotes sustainable production and resource use through projects that support responsible innovation and environmental accountability. Work on energy-efficient vertical farming explores ways to reduce the environmental footprint of food production while improving resilience and yield. Research on green loans and mortgages examines how financial mechanisms can encourage sustainable consumer choices and investment in low-carbon housing. Other studies investigate bird mortality associated with offshore renewable energy, helping to identify and mitigate environmental impacts. Together, these projects contribute to sustainable systems of consumption and production that balance economic development with environmental stewardship.

Our research addresses climate-related risks through statistical and mathematical approaches. Several School members contribute to the Royal Statistical Society’s Climate Change and Net Zero Task Force, applying expertise to support policy and public understanding. We develop statistical models for biodiversity monitoring with the Scottish Government and the Natural History Museum and create mathematical models assessing vector-borne disease risk under future climate scenarios, including UK West Nile Virus, informing government reports. We also model extreme events in  precipitation, air pollution, and temperature to examine whether human-induced climate change increases their likelihood. These projects improve the prediction, management, and mitigation of climate-related impacts on ecosystems and human health.

Our School supports the protection and restoration of marine and river systems through statistical and mathematical methods for ecological analysis. Collaborations with marine and freshwater scientists improve understanding of biodiversity patterns and species behaviour. Studies of salmon migration use advanced movement modelling techniques to inform conservation and sustainable river management. Researchers also identify marine protected areas for vulnerable species such as the flapper skate, promote marine rewilding, and develop biodiversity monitoring approaches. MOT4Rivers investigates the impacts of pollutant mixtures on freshwater biodiversity, providing evidence to support informed environmental management.

Our research supports the protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems through projects that enhance understanding of biodiversity, ecosystems, and environmental change. Collaborations with the Scottish Government and NatureScot inform biodiversity policy and monitoring, while work with the Natural History Museum studies plant diversity patterns. Research in the Serengeti examines how human activity affects animal populations, guiding conservation strategies. Through the Leverhulme Programme for Doctoral Training in Ecological Data Science, we train the next generation of researchers in data-driven approaches. Additional projects include citizen science for red squirrel conservation with the Scottish Wildlife Trust, spatial sampling for microplastics in soils, and modelling landslide risk. These efforts safeguard ecosystems and support sustainable natural resource management.

Our research contributes to fair and transparent systems that support justice and accountability. Collaboration with an anti-doping laboratory led to a bespoke statistical model for urinary steroid biomarker data, accompanied by software for laboratory implementation to enhance testing integrity. Researchers have also developed classification models for glass fragments, helping determine whether evidence from a crime scene and a suspect originate from the same source. These projects demonstrate how advanced statistical and data science methods can strengthen forensic and regulatory practices, supporting reliable decision-making and trust in institutions.

Our School works with international partners to build lasting research and training links that support sustainable development. Through involvement with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), staff contribute to teaching, mentoring, and capacity building across Africa. Researchers also participate in networks such as the France-Afrique Network for Mathematics of Sustainable Planet Earth, connecting scientists to address environmental and sustainability challenges. Building on these partnerships, the Leverhulme Programme for Doctoral Training in Ecological Data Science reserves scholarships for applicants from East Africa, strengthening global research links and creating opportunities for shared learning and innovation. These efforts help build the foundations needed to advance progress across the wider Sustainable Development Goals.