Students on the Future Maths programme recently took part in their second workshop, focused on how maths is used to address real-world challenges.
Run by PhD students, the workshops are part of the Future Maths multi-intervention programme that combines tutoring, enrichment and campus experience to support high-attaining Year 8 girls from underrepresented backgrounds to build confidence, strengthen problem-solving and explore future pathways in maths and quantitative subjects.
The programme is delivered collaboratively with Imperial College London and partner schools, supporting around 80 pupils across London during the 2025/26 academic year.
Maths in the social sciences
For workshop 2, the LSE strand of the programme focused on Maths in the Social Sciences, helping students see how maths can be applied through a social science lens.
Across the sessions, students explored:
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How data can be used to understand people, society and global challenges
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The role of maths in building evidence and making strong arguments
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How social sciences researchers use quantitative methods in their research.
A key theme demonstrated was that maths is not just an abstract subject, but a powerful tool for interpreting real-world issues, form inequality to public policy.
Real-world questions
In the LSE workshops, students used real research examples to explore how maths can help us understand issues such as education and climate. This included examining the impact of distance from schools on attendance and analysing data on social media use and attitudes towards climate change, particularly looking at the difference between correlation and causation and what data cannot tell us.
Highlights from the sessions
The two workshop sessions together emphasised:
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Relevance: connecting maths to real-world issues
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Confidence-building: encouraging students to apply their skills in unfamiliar and more complex contexts
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Curiosity: supporting students to ask questions and explore how maths shapes the world.
Reflections from the facilitators also highlight the impact of the sessions, with students showing high levels of engagement and perseverance, even with material typically encountered later in their studies.
Building on the success of the first workshop and tutoring sessions, Future Maths continues to demonstrate how targeted, collaborative interventions can help widen participation and inspire the next generation of quantitative thinkers.
About the Future Maths programme
The Future Maths programme was launched last November in response to research that showed girls are less likely to pursue maths and quantitative subjects at university – often due to a lack of confidence in these subject, gender stereotypes, inconsistent advice and limited role models.
Future Maths aims to change that by boosting confidence, raising GCSE maths attainment, and inspiring more girls to continue with Maths at A-level and beyond.
The programme will conclude with a celebratory event at LSE, recognising students’ engagement with the programme and offering insight into future pathways in mathematics and related careers.
Part of LSE’s widening participation work
The Future Maths initiative supports LSE's commitment to widening access, as set out in our Access and Participation Plan. It is part of the School's commitment to working in partnership with schools and colleges to raise attainment and improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups.
LSE's work on education and student experience (ESE) spans a wide range of projects and initiatives, all focused on ensuring every student has a consistently excellent experience at LSE and feels part of the School community.