P R I N C I P L E S
The London Institute for Mathematical Sciences (LIMS)
1 Is a non-profit research centre.
LIMS is similar to a university research department except that there are no
teaching or administrative duties. It is entirely funded by research grants and
benefaction. It occupies premises in central London.
2 Hires the most promising scientists.
LIMS' principle objective is the excellence of its research. It attracts the
best scientists from inside and outside the UK and gives them the freedom to
pursue their ideas without constraints. It aims to compete with the world's
best universities and research institutes.
3 Supports the theoretical sciences.
LIMS supports basic and applied research in all the theoretical sciences,
including mathematics and quantitative biology. It welcomes visitors from an
experimental background who wish to pursue theoretical aspects of their work.
4 Promotes radical innovation.
LIMS continually asks how research should best be organized with a fresh
perspective, even if it means breaking with established university customs.
LIMS invites its scientists to participate in high-risk, high-payoff research
in fundamental, difficult or emerging branches of science.
5 Is not a workplace but a living place.
For good theorists, research is not a job but a way of life. They ‘work’ in their departments, at home and while travelling. Accordingly, LIMS is less
like a collection of offices and more like a private house with an abundance of
studies. Because LIMS believes that ideas reflect the space in which they are
created, its premises are notable for their architecture and interiors.
6 Has a single purpose and few rules.
Most universities serve multiple purposes: research and education; arts and
sciences; theory and experiment. Administrative structures suitable for one are
not always suitable for others. LIMS focuses solely on theoretical scientific
research, thereby largely eliminating bureaucracy and regulations.
7 Provides substantial support staff.
LIMS believes in freeing up scientists’ time so that they can focus on what they do best - research. LIMS minimizes the
burden of administrative and routine tasks by providing substantial support
staff for all its scientists.
8 Pays competitive salaries and rewards grant-winners.
LIMS believes that the world’s best scientists should receive the world’s best academic salaries, and aims to pay its scientists accordingly. Getting
grants is a time-consuming task for scientists but an essential source of
revenue for an institute, and LIMS rewards grant-winners with bonuses in
proportion to the overhead they bring in.
9 Makes more efficient use of public funding.
LIMS offers the best scientific return on investment for two reasons. First,
paper for paper, theoretical research is substantially cheaper than
experimental research. Second, because LIMS’ scientists are not obliged to teach or take on administrative duties, they can
dedicate themselves wholly to their research.
10 Employs permanent and part-time scientists.
In addition to its full-time members, LIMS also offers part-time employment to
scientists who wish to keep their current positions and spend time at LIMS as
their university contract permits (analogous to so-called 'summer salaries' in
America).
11 Supports fellowship amongst its members.
Scientists work best when they are part of a community and are able to exchange
ideas both within and across disciplines. LIMS supports collegiality amongst
its members in ways similar to those found in the ancient university colleges
in the UK.
