Uncertain Times

By writing this post, I would like to clear the air in times where things are growing uncertain. In fact yesterday, I was reminded that I should speak my mind out, so that people know where I stand. In a way, I have been down this road a few times, whatever uncertainties there are, I have less anxiety now compared to the past.

First, the current director will be retiring soon and I am expected to take up her role until the university appoints a new director. For me, this has always been an uncomfortable situation. If I push myself to the forefront too much, some may interpret such moves that I am looking forward to the director's position. If I don't, some may say I'm not performing my duties. So yesterday when I started giving ideas in a meeting (talking more than usual), it is simply because I thought these ideas could actually help the institute. I have always believe that institutes are good ideas to help propel research and be symbols of prestige. All of the rest of the world seem to think so even if some of us do not. So whether I have a position or not, I will support the institute. So whether the community of mathematicians wants me or not, I do support institute for mathematics even if some will claim duplication of roles. I have said these in the past, even to the previous director, that the institute should provide new opportunities for researchers to go beyond the status quo. An easy option is to go interdisciplinary and by this, I do not mean simply just how mathematics are applied to other sciences but even within the scope of mathematics, we can find subdisciplines interacting with each other and often lead to revolutionary mathematical ideas. While I am on this note, let me just say this: despite I belong to the physics department, all my degrees are from the mathematical sciences department. In the past, I have misplaced my degree certificates but now I have found them and get them scanned. Here they are:

My PhD thesis can be found here: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/6053/ , The pdf copy will show that my PhD was from the Department of Mathematical Sciences. It is embarrassing for me to show this but I just want to have the certs stored somewhere in my personal blog. But I guess these do not really matter for those who don't want me to be there. When I first heard that why should I be appointed as MJMS Chief Editor and not someone from the Maths Department, I can gauge how acceptable I am to the community there. My personal wish when my Chief Editor term ends in December this year, I would prefer not to be reappointed. Present moves of establishing another mathematical journal is not necessary and MJMS be best given to a "recognised mathematician". In the case of directorship, I guess the same feeling must be there. That's why I have mentioned to both past and present directors, I have reservation whether I will have the support if appointed. But this is secondary to me, I prefer to be known more as a scientist than an administrator.

Second, some restructuring is expected of the institute. I can't reveal much here but there will be changes. Such changes invite uncertainties. It is funny to see the coincidence between these two uncertainties. During the first change of director, it coincides with the point that we are about to announce MICEMS. Now, we have the restructuring exercise (note: we have restructured the institutes a few times in the past, but this time I think it is a big change). I also get to know that remarks are made by some others that the institute may grow "unstable" when the present director steps down. It is certainly discomforting to see such confidence they have in me. To me, I will put in efforts to see the institute to progress (and not destabilize as some would like to say) even if I am not in any particular administrative position. As I said before, the institute is too important for our science to grow, more important than any wishes of any individual.