Following lock down in the UK a group of mathematicians, together with the Isaac Newton Centre and the International Centre for the Mathematical Sciences founded the virtual forum for knowledge exchange in the mathematical sciences (V-KEMS). The purpose of V-KEMS is to provide a mechanism for teams of mathematicians to work together to tackle problems directly related to COVID-19 and also the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and the infrastructure of the UK. One of the mechanisms for doing this are Virtual Study Groups (VSGs). The problems tackled have ranged from reopening the work place and schools, to decontaminating surfaces, supplying food and safely operating trains. The results from these mathematical studies have been used to inform SAGE which is the main scientific advisory group to the UK government. In this talk I will describe the operation of V-KEMS in general. I will then describe its work on the problems of the impact of COVID-19 on the retail industry and on Higher Education.

Bio: Chris Budd OBE has been Professor of Applied Mathematics at Bath, UK, for 25 years. His research interests are in numerical analysis, the environmental sciences, and in industrial applications of mathematics. He is one of the founder members of V-KEMS and since lock down has been working hard applying mathematical modelling methods to a variety of COVID-19 related problems. He is a frequent visitor to Canada and has relatives in nearly every Province.