C18. Commission on Mathematical Physics

Report to the IUPAP Council and Commission Chairs meeting
Mexico City
September 28-29, 2001

Report from C18 (Mathematical Physics)

Having sponsored two major conferences last year and having one scheduled for next year, the current year has been relatively quiet for C18. Thus, it has given us an opportunity to reflect on the scope of our activities and the community we represent.

It seems reasonable to assume that our commission members are a characteristic cross section of the community we represent. Moreover, it is apparent that many of our commissioners have close associations with topical fields of physics represented by other commissions. However, their interests tend to straddle those of several commissions. Most of our members are concerned with the application of mathematical knowledge to the development of theoretical descriptions of physical theory. But, it is difficult and not very useful to draw a line between where theoretical physics ends and mathematical physics begins. This is underscored by the fact that the next major conference we shall sponsor is concerned with the broad field of theoretical physics. Unfortunately, our written mandate does not reflect the breadth of our interests and we have to consider carefully, before the meeting of the General Assembly, if we want to expand it.

Dr. David J. Rowe, F.R.S.C.