Gillian Thornley Award

This annual award was established in 2020 to recognize outstanding contributions to the cause or profession of mathematics in New Zealand. The award will be made to a person or group that has made an outstanding contribution to mathematics within NZ, with the nominations being assessed on the basis of the case made by the nominators. For the purposes of this award, “contribution to the cause or profession or mathematics” could include (but is not limited to) contributions to teaching and education, research leadership, outreach, engagement with government bodies, diversity, service to professional societies, mentoring, and communication of mathematics to a general audience.

Eligibility. Nominees need not be members of the NZMS but the award would normally be given for work that took place in New Zealand and contributed to NZ mathematics.

Nominations should include the following:

• A joint statement of support (at most one page) from two nominators, who must be current members of the NZMS.
• A brief CV (at most three pages) containing: name and affiliation; professional experience including employment history and roles; awards, prizes or other relevant recognition, if any; summary of activities or service relevant to the contribution for which the person is being nominated. If a nomination is for more than one person, CVs should be provided for two of the nominees.
• Any other relevant information, if necessary (at most three pages). This could (but need not) include a letter of support.

Nominations should be sent by email to the NZMS President, Bernd Krauskopf, by 31 August 2025. Submissions should state clearly that they are for the Gillian Thornley Award.

The Gillian Thornley Award for 2024 was presented at the NZMS Colloquium to Nicolette Rattenbury (University of Auckland) “For her sustained leadership and contributions in Mathematics and Science communication/outreach, her mentoring of students, and also her sustained efforts to support equity/diversity in Science and Mathematics”