SUPPORTING STUDENTS TO SUCCEED
Mathematics for the modern world
Meet Dr Emma Coutts, the Heriot-Watt alum helping students to master maths.
Dr Emma Coutts Director of Heriot-Watt University's the Campbell Maths Gym, an initiative to help students strengthen their maths and statistical skills and to boost their mathematical confidence.
The aim is to help more students in more ways, whatever their discipline and whatever their level of maths competency.”
Dr Emma Coutts
*Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
Mathematics underpins modern society. Data-driven decisions dominate the world of work and business leaders are demanding better maths skills from graduates, so mastering maths can be transformational for career prospects.
The impact of the Maths Gym has been profound for many of its users. Abigail Duncan was considering dropping out: “I was studying a BSc in Actuarial Science but had lost confidence that I could finish my degree because of my struggle with the maths,” she explains. She attended the Maths Gym every week from her second year on. “It played a massive role. My grades improved and I finished up obtaining exemptions from three IFoA* examinations, which has significantly reduced the time it will take me to qualify as an actuary.” Abigail is currently working as an actuarial trainee at Royal London.
“What I find so rewarding is to see students discover how maths serves their discipline,” comments Emma, “and their realisation that it can be a useful, helpful tool.”
She embraced maths herself after a failed attempt to study astrophysics: “I was always interested in all aspects of science,” Emma explains. That prompted her to study astrophysics at university which included studying physics and maths in the first year. “What I discovered was that I didn’t actually like astrophysics, I didn’t perform well in the lab, but I did enjoy maths!”
Changing to a joint degree in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics, Emma then pushed further into these areas after graduating, undertaking a PhD in Computational Neuroscience at Heriot-Watt. “I was looking at how mathematical techniques could be used to model aspects of brain function,” she explains. “It was extremely interesting, but on completion I felt the traditional researcher route wasn’t for me.”
Find out more about the Campbell Maths Gym.
After “an incredible experience” teaching master's-level students at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in South Africa, supporting students from across the African continent and working with colleagues from around the world, Emma realised that a career teaching maths was where her heart lay. Via roles at Durham and Strathclyde universities, she returned to Heriot-Watt University in 2020 with an explicit remit to establish a maths support service for all of its campuses.
“The aim was to help more students in more ways, whatever their discipline and whatever their level of maths competency,” Emma explains. The integrated global service Heriot-Watt needed posed a new type of challenge, not least working across the different time zones for the Dubai and Malaysia campuses and launching during the pandemic. “We were determined to develop in-person and online tailored support for every student who needed it, and to build the tools and resources to support as many individuals as we could.”
Jack Birt studied BEng Mechanical Engineering and was in “a state of stress” as he “struggled to process the calculations and theory” and his progression through the programme began to be affected. “I had to re-sit my final course exam in 2nd and 3rd years,” he explains. “Without the Maths Gym and Dr Coutts' support I wouldn’t have succeeded.” Jack continued to post-graduate study and currently works at the University as a Mechanical Laboratory Technician. “I adore this role,” he enthuses. “The Maths Gym gave me the confidence to not only understand my discipline but to support and advise my own cohort of students.”
Underpinning the Maths Gym's impact is its team, a core of three aided by PhD students and volunteers. “The passion of my colleagues, coupled with their desire to nurture each student’s ability to engage and excel at maths, is truly inspiring,” comments Emma. “They make the Maths Gym an incredible resource for our global University.”
Without the Maths Gym and Dr Coutts' support I wouldn’t have succeeded.”
Jack Birt
Alumni support increases the Maths Gym impact
In 2022, the remarkable generosity of alum John “Iain” Campbell facilitated the embedding of Maths Gym teams in all of Heriot-Watt’s campuses, meaning it could offer face-to-face support in addition to the online service. “Iain was instrumental to expanding the reach of the Maths Gym,” Emma explains. “We have now renamed the service to acknowledge the huge significance of his support.”
Find out more about the Campbell Maths Gym.
Learn more about how we are empowering our students through our Shaping Futures campaign.
The Maths Gym team – making a difference across our campuses
In Edinburgh:
- Dr Emma Coutts
- Dr Tania Benitez
- Thomas De Fraja
- Theo Lavier
- Yubo Rasmussen
- Luka Vrecar
- Joel Tatang Demano
- Francesco Tesolin
- Amit Parekh
As well as many other teaching assistants who have helped through the years.
In Dubai:
- Dr Amr Elnashar
- Dr Adrian Turcanu
- Dr Eric Aidoo
- Madhu Chetwani
- Nadar Shouly
- Dr Andres Barajas Paz
And other staff who have helped at various times.
In Malaysia:
- Dr Kai Lin
- Ashikin Mohd Nasarudin
- Dr Kwok Wai Meng
