Presenter: Doctor Martine Barons
Topic: Using maths to save the bees
Date: Wednesday 9th December 2026
Time: 18:30 for 19:00 lecture start
Location: The Wolfson B Lecture Theatre (ECG-27)
Sir Frank Whittle Building, Coventry University, 3 Gulson Road, Coventry. CV1 2JH
(was formerly known as the Engineering and Computing building)
Please Book to allow us to know how many attendees to cater for – please book here
Synopsis:
There is much concern about declining insect populations and what this might mean for human food and survival. The pollinator system is part of an interconnected ecosystem, whch we don’t know completely. How is it possible to make good decisions with so much uncertainty? And how on earth can mathematic help? Martine will demonstrate how we can combine data and information from different experts to ensure our insects survive and thrive.
Martine is a Reader in Statistics and the Director of the Applied Statistics & Risk Unit (AS&RULink opens in a new window) the knowledge exchange hub within the University of Warwick Statistics Department. The remit of AS&RU is to encourage and co-ordinate external partnerships which enable the early applications of theoretical, methodological and algorithmic developments made in the department, university and mathematical sciences community.
Martine’s research is focussed on decision making under uncertainty and structured expert judgement, with applications in household food security, pollination, digital archives and the energy sector. Martine spoke at COP26Link opens in a new window on communicating Climate Risk (recording on link). Martine has research collaborations with Melbourne University, Monash University, The National Archives and a number of organisations from Business, Industry & Government (BIG).
On a personal note, Martine is pleased to report that her back is strong and she definitely thinks becoming world champion in the RAW, Master 6 (65-69), 82.5kg division counts as having a great time, along with adding 146kg to world records since March and being interviewed on the Vic Minett show!