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Encouraging diversity while teaching the history of maths and society

Diversity and Decolonisation in Mathematics Conference, University of Warwick (25/04/25).

Abstract:
A history of mathematics block taught as part of a skills development module since 2015 has morphed this year into a maths and society block within a mathematical modelling module. The focus is on student-led mini-projects with regular feedback used for this formative experience. The use of student topic choice is a great driver for diversifying the curriculum if done right, though can tend to fall back on popular maths cliches with embedded biases if care is not taken, and links with the first year maths curriculum don't necessarily draw out a more diverse range of people. This talk will outline the design and adaption of the teaching and the ways diversity is embedded in the module content, both in the taught content and via nudges used in student choice to encourage a more diverse focus. Attempts to increase focus on diversity and address decolonisation in the new maths and society iteration are ongoing and this will be discussed.