Dear members and associates of the Institute of Systems Science (ISS),
Over 10 years ago I applied for a National Research Foundation (NRF) Research Chair. It was approved but I was informed it could not be given as there was not enough funding. At the beginning of last year they contacted me and asked me to reapply. I recently got the result and I now have a Tier 2 NRF SARChi Research Chair. The title of the Chair is: Applying Mathematics to Human and Natural Systems.
Note the word applying and not applied which already has an established meaning in mathematics. In my opinion, the reason that I got this chair my past research and very applied approach to applications in agriculture, ecology, mining, energy and other systems important to South African development. If any of you are interested in helping these research efforts please contact me.
One of the most important aspects of the chair is educating PhD, masters and honours students. Most have to be black South Africans and if any of you know of good postgraduates at any of these levels looking for funding please let me know.
Good postdocs are also needed but with an interest in the work we are doing.
Prof Kevin J. Duffy
10 February, 2021