Oxford mathematician knighted
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Professor John Ball, a world-renowned mathematician from the University of Oxford, has received a knighthood in the New Year Honours list.

He is president of the prestigious International Mathematical Union (IMU),   which promotes co-operation between mathematicians around the world.

The Oxford professor is also active in supporting the advancement of mathematics in developing countries.

He has also received numerous awards for his research.

Professor Ball told the BBC News website the honour had taken him by surprise.

"I hadn't given it a moment's thought," he said.

Developing world

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Through the IMU, Professor Ball has helped co-ordinate support for mathematics in developing nations.

"The mathematical challenge knows no geographical boundaries. The most importantfactor is the opportunity," said Professor Ball.
"The one thing that's changed a lot is the internet. Previously, if you  were in a disadvantaged part of the world, you had no chance at all of accessing the material you needed.
"Though there are still problems with slow internet connections and so  on, it is hugely better. It is a very good time to try and press on this issue."

Because mathematics is central to disciplines such as physical sciences and economics, it is of fundamental importance to the future prosperity of developing countries.
In addition, researchers regard the advancement of maths in the developing world as vital to the future health and growth of the profession.

Elastic theory
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Among mathematicians, Professor Ball is well known for his work on elasticity theory; essentially the maths underlying the behaviour of elastic materials like rubber.

He later worked on theories to predict the microscopic structure that arises from phase transformations in solid materials.
This research might be described by some scientists as applied mathematics.
But his work has also stimulated activity in pure maths, because it draws on fundamental disciplines such as calculus and geometry.

Professor Ball studied for his undergraduate degree in mathematics at the University of Cambridge, and obtained a D.Phil in 1972 at the University of Sussex.

> From 1982 to 1996, he was professor of applied analysis at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and is now Sedleian Professor of Natural Philosophy at the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford.