the-BA : 2007 perspectives winner

Marco Colombo, from the school of mathematics at the University of Edinburgh has won this year's perspectives poster competition at the BA Festival of Science, for his poster, Optimization - the science of the 'best' on optimization problems and how these apply to everyday scenarios.

Marco said: ‘Maths is seen as both scary and difficult and also perceived as unrelated to everyday life. However, I don’t believe that’s true! By expressing my research through my poster I have tried to connect it to other people’s experience of the world.'

Optimization is a branch of mathematics that is concerned with the realisation of a specific target with particular criteria to fulfil along the way but only a scarce number of resources. The aim is to use the resources in the most efficient manner to achieve the target and satisfy the requirements.

In mathematics, these problems are expressed in terms of large numbers of equations and variables which are then solved using specific software with an optimization algorithm built in. The results are displayed in a mountain-like format with the best solution at the summit and other possible solutions at subsidiary peaks.

Marco’s poster highlighted the wide range of problems this algorithm can be applied to, helping to answer questions such as ‘What is the best route for seeing a number of different places’ to ‘What is the best way to invest money in the stock market?’.

perspectives – a poster session with a difference – aims to encourage postgraduate and postdoctoral scientists, engineers and social scientists to explore the social and ethical implications of their research. Finalists for the competition were asked to consider the impact their research has on society, both directly and indirectly, and the extent to which their research has been shaped by society. They presented their work at the BA Festival of Science at the University of York from 10-14 September 2007.

Marco said: ‘I was interested in entering the competition for the challenge of making my subject accessible to a wider audience. To be here as a finalist has been an exciting experience and to win, a great end to a fantastic week.'

‘It is important that students at all stages of university consider the social implications of their work,’ says Sue Hordijenko, Director of Programmes at the BA. ‘The perspectives competition was created to challenge young scientists to focus on the broader impact of their research. Marco communicated the social aspects of his work on optimization processes both clearly and vividly, and greatly impressed the judges.’

Perspectives is a BA initiative, supported by Research Councils UK.

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