Events for Alumni and Friends

Bowman Lecture Registration

Maths and MI5: The calculations that keep the country safe

In a complex and changing world, MI5’s job is to help keep the country safe. The UK faces a breadth and variety of national security threats. To stay ahead of these, MI5 must change and adapt, including by continually improving the way data is obtained and analysed, whilst keeping its methods and techniques safe from our adversaries. In this lecture, Ken McCallum, the Director General of MI5, will explore how MI5 uses maths and data science to detect and disrupt threat, and how they are working with partners to protect the UK’s resilience and economic security.

Ken McCallum is the Director General of MI5, a post he has held since March 2020.  As "the DG", Ken is responsible for all of MI5’s work, ensuring they are meeting, head on, the threats facing the UK today whilst preparing for future challenges and opportunities. He is an intelligence officer with more than 25 years of experience across the full spectrum of the organisation's national security and intelligence work.

Ken began his career focused on Northern Ireland-related terrorism, after which he held senior roles in countering Islamist terrorism and on cyber security.  In 2012, Ken took charge of all counter terrorism investigations and risk management in the run-up to, and during, the London Olympics.  After the Games, he undertook a secondment to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, leading on digital issues.  Between 2015 and 2017 Ken held the role of Director General Strategy, focussing on shaping new legislation and further strengthening MI5’s partnerships with the Secret Intelligence Service and Government Communications Headquarters.  He was appointed Deputy Director General of MI5 in April 2017, with responsibility for all of MI5’s operational and investigative work. In 2018 this role saw him take charge of the MI5 response to the attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal. 

The Bowman lectures aim to highlight the crucial role of the mathematical sciences in addressing major issues of public importance.

Date: Thursday 1 June 2023

Time: 18:30 

Venue: A central Glasgow location, will be confirmed to successful applicants via email on the day of the event.

Tickets: The application window has now closed. 

Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 19 May 2023 at the latest. Both the applicant and the guest will receive a ticket email.

Attendees will be required to bring a printed copy of their ticket email along with photographic ID (this must be either a passport, driving licence, or University of Glasgow student/staff card).  No access will be granted in absence of suitable photographic ID.

Attendees are advised that there will be a bag-drop in operation for any larger bags as these will not be permitted within the lecture hall.