UniSydney mathematicians Geordie Williamson and Anthony Henderson will be co-directors of a new maths research institute, funded by a $5m donation. The centre will provide long-term research residencies for “leading mathematicians from all over the world.” The money comes from the Simon Marais Foundation, which also supports an undergraduate Asia-Pacific maths competition. Dr Marais was a theoretical physicist turned asset fund manager who died in 2015.

Professor Williamson has had a monster May, being named a fellow of both the Royal Society and the Australian Academy of Science.