Mathematical structures play a key role in much of scientific theory development. In physics, the mathematisation of theories and models is very extensive, and there are many examples of new mathematics developing from ideas that originated in physics. In astronomy, chemistry and Earth science, mathematical modelling is very important, and in some areas, including quantum chemistry and meteorology, it is a dominant tool. A new and important development is that mathematical modelling is also becoming increasingly important in the life and social sciences. There is reason to believe that the importance of mathematical theory development will increase in both the natural sciences and other sciences, and that the development of mathematical tools will increasingly require collaboration between mathematicians and other researchers. This cross-pollination means that new advanced mathematics, and mathematical intuition, will become useful in other scientific areas. In turn, questions in these areas will inspire mathematicians to formulate, and gain insight into, new mathematical concepts and structures.

Stockholm University has a strong theoretical research activity in many areas. Mathematics is central in physics and some of the life and Earth sciences, but mathematical theory development and modelling plays an important role in other research areas as well. In mathematics, research is conducted with close ties to theories and models formulated in both the natural and social sciences. Thus, there are excellent conditions for enhanced collaboration that may not only lead to new mathematical tools in a wide range of disciplines, but also to new results within pure mathematics.