Professor Ian David Abrahams

David Abrahams is Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. Prior to this he was Director of the Isaac Newton Institute, Cambridge (2016-2021) and Scientific Director of the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Edinburgh University (2014-2016). Both Institutes hold the common aim of bringing international scientists together on research topics ranging over the whole of mathematical sciences. They are also active in supporting interdisciplinary, knowledge exchange and public engagement activities.

Before moving to the University of Cambridge, David held the Beyer Chair of Applied Mathematics at the University of Manchester (1998-2016). He currently has honorary/ visiting positions at Manchester, Keele and Aberystwyth Universities. David’s research is devoted mainly to the theoretical understanding of wave processes, including acoustics, elasticity, materials modelling and hydroacoustics. He has worked closely with industry over many years, and is currently a Royal Society Industry Fellow working with Thales UK.

David has played an active role within the international mathematics community over his whole career, and recently has put much effort into the setting up of a new Academy for the Mathematical Sciences and a national Knowledge Exchange Hub for Mathematical Sciences.