Duke Mathematicians Engage Lawmakers in Washington to Champion STEM Investment
Mathematician Jonathan Mattingly and Duke graduate students Allison Cruikshank and Adeli Hutton participated in #MathSciOnTheHill, a national advocacy event that brought together more than 290 mathematicians from across the United States to meet with members of Congress and their staff. (Photo courtesy of AMS)
On January 8, Duke mathematician Jonathan Mattingly joined a delegation of 290 educators, students and researchers from the mathematical sciences community on a visit to Capitol Hill, where they met with their congressional representatives and advocated for sustained federal support of mathematics.
Organized by the American Mathematical Society, the #MathSciOnTheHill event highlighted the profound impact of mathematics and reinforced the importance of federal investment in research and education across the discipline. Equipped with identical striped scarves, the group drew positive attention and encouragement from congress members, staff and passerby.
Participants, who hailed from 47 states, were grouped into advocacy teams by geographic region, allowing them to speak directly with offices representing their home districts. Mattingly, along with Duke graduate students Allison Cruikshank and Adeli Hutton, and Duke alumnus and current assistant professor of Mathematics at Elon University Hwayeon Ryu, took part in the North Carolina 4th District team. They met with the offices of Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd through their legislative assistants, and held an in person meeting with Congresswoman Valerie Foushee. Conversations focused on the importance of maintaining a strong U.S. STEM workforce and the critical role mathematics plays in national decision making.
The team of scholars emphasized the significant contributions of academic institutions in educating a diverse STEM workforce, including first generation students and those from rural or underserved communities.
As a professor of mathematics and the Kimberly J. Jenkins Distinguished University Professor of New Technologies, Mattingly reflected on the experience: “Meeting with lawmakers reminded me how essential it is for mathematics to have a seat at the table,” he said. “Whether we're discussing education, technology, or policy — mathematical insight helps us make clearer, more informed choices.”
