On 26 September 1925, Dr Elbert Cox became the first Black person in the world to get a PhD in maths, and schools across the UK are invited to celebrate the 100th anniversary at the Black Heroes of Maths Youth Festival.

The Festival is a unique opportunity for schools to experience the celebratory and inspiring ethos of the prestigious annual Black Heroes of Mathematics Conference. Guest speakers from the conference will join the Youth Festival for four exciting, engaging digital sessions.

Aimed at 7-14 year olds in upper primary and lower secondary settings, each session will be led by working mathematicians, bringing maths to life by sharing their expertise through accessible and enjoyable challenges. The sessions will include fun, accessible challenges, real-life maths applications, and stories of trailblazing careers, all designed to boost confidence and curiosity in the classroom. 

Session 1: 1 October @ 10am with Nira Chamberlain  

Session 2: 1 October @ 2pm with Angela Tabiri and Flavia Santos 

Session 3: 2 October @ 10am with Nira Chamberlain and and Mark Richards 

Session 4: 2 October @ 2pm with Herbert Daly 

Don’t miss this special event – book your FREE place now: 

Wednesday 1 October

10am
2pm

Thursday 2 October

10am
2pm
Nira Chamberlain

Nira Chamberlain OBE, is a professional mathematician and founder of Black Heroes of Mathematics, with over 30 years experience of mathematical modelling, simulation and developing algorithms. He works in an international engineering firm to solve problems from locating a missing aeroplane to ensuring more women get top jobs.

Angela Tabiri

Voted the World’s Most Interesting Mathematician in 2024, Ghanaian Dr Angela Tabiri has a passion for quantum, or non-commutative, algebra, which she researches at the Ghana branch of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (Aims) and for changing assumptions that African female mathematicians can only teach, which she pursues as academic manager for the Girls in Mathematical Sciences Programme in Ghana.

Flavia Santos
I’M ANXIOUS ABOUT MATHS!! Maths Anxiety is a feeling of nervousness related to numbers, mathematics homework, or classroom activities. But have no fear, Flavia will talk about how the maths test results of anxious students may not actually reflect their full potential, and the associations between ethnic representation and classroom performance. Dr Santos is a lecturer at University College London, and uses maths to better understand human psychology and neuroscience.
Mark Richards

Physicist, climate researcher, and founder of the Blackett Lab Family CIC – a pioneering organisation increasing Black representation in physics. Mark connects science, innovation, and policy to solve global problems and promote equity in STEM. 

Herbert Daly

Can my computer survive without maths? Dr Daly says no, and he’s here to show students why. A senior lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire, his work spans software engineering, enterprise systems, and the hidden maths behind our digital world.

Find out more about the Black Heroes of Mathematics Conference:
2024 Festival
2025 Festival

The Black Heroes of Mathematics Youth Festival is funded by the Royal Commission of 1851 and held in association with the Black Heroes of Mathematics Conference, chaired by Professor Nira Chamberlain.

With thanks to the conference partners – London Mathematical Society, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences.