Dr. Lara Alcock is a highly respected Reader in Mathematics Education at Loughborough University, known for her expertise in undergraduate mathematics education. Dr. Alcock's contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2021 IMA John Blake University Teaching Medal for her significant and sustained contribution to the teaching of mathematical sciences at university level, a 2015 National Teaching Fellowship and the 2012 MAA Annie and John Selden Prize for Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education.  Her teaching has also been recognized by her students, who have awarded her prizes such as Most Engaging Lecturer, Best Lecturer, Most Helpful Mentor, and Most Outstanding Mathematics Lecturer.

Dr. Alcock’s research focuses on undergraduate and expert mathematics learning. She has been involved in ground-breaking work on proof comprehension and self-explanation: her innovative use of eye-tracking technology has revealed how both novices and experts read proofs, and her research findings have influenced the way students learn and the way lecturers teach. What sets Dr. Alcock apart from many other researchers is her ability to communicate research findings to both academic mathematicians and students. She has published the popular mathematics book Mathematics Rebooted, as well as three research-informed study guides for undergraduates: How to Study for a Mathematics Degree, How to Think about Analysis, and How to Think about Abstract Algebra. Her writing is accessible and full of practical advice, making her a sought-after speaker at conferences and workshops.

Dr. Alcock's expertise and dedication to the field of mathematics education make her a valuable asset to the academic community, and we are thrilled to have her as a keynote speaker.

Barbara Holland - Australia - University of Tasmania

Barbara Holland is a Professor of Mathematics at the beautiful University of Tasmania in Australia, where she's been shaping the minds of students for years. With her extensive experience in Statistics, Mathematical Biology, and Good Thinking (a course co-taught with Philosophy), she's become practiced at developing students' statistical reasoning skills.

Barbara’s teaching and research have taken her all over the world, from Cambridge and New Zealand to Puerto Rico and Canada. She is often invited to speak at conferences on mathematical biology, and this is the first time she has been invited to a conference on mathematics and statistics education. She has become a regular fixture and the Beaker Street Festival, which combines Science and Arts, where she enjoys giving talks that emphasize the relevance of statistics to everyday life with a comedic twist.

Currently serving as co-Associate Head of Research for the School of Natural Sciences, Barbara has previously headed the Discipline for Mathematics. She's a true inspiration to both her students and colleagues, and we're thrilled to have her as a keynote speaker at our upcoming conference!

Loyiso G. Nongxa, an esteemed mathematician, holds a remarkable career in academia and university leadership. After undergraduate studies at the University of Fort Hare from 1973 to 1978, he distinguished himself as a scholar, becoming the first South African of African ancestry to be awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship in 1977.

In 1978, Nongxa arrived at Balliol College, Oxford, where he immersed himself in the study of mathematics. He demonstrated exceptional aptitude and completed his doctorate in Mathematics, specializing in Abelian Group Theory, in 1982. Armed with a deep understanding of the subject, he embarked on a career dedicated to furthering mathematical knowledge and inspiring future generations.

Nongxa's eminence in the field of mathematics earned him prestigious recognition. In 2018, he was elected Vice-President of the International Mathematical Union, serving a four-year term. Furthermore, he is a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa, an Honorary Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford, and a Member of the Academy of Sciences of South Africa. He had a decade-long tenure as Vice Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). Today, as an Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the University of the Witwatersrand and an Extraordinary Professor at the University of the Western Cape, Nongxa continues to inspire and contribute to the advancement of mathematics. His legacy as a leader, researcher, and advocate for mathematical education stands as a testament to his remarkable career.