Connecting People Through Science
Tomoya Nagai
(Coordinator, iTHEMS / Director, Office of the Program Director, iTHEMS)
When we think of mathematics, the image of a large blackboard covered with various equations often comes to mind. Spirited conversations in front of such blackboards frequently appear in videos and photos capturing the research atmosphere of the Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS). How are these lively discussion spaces created? We spoke with Tomoya Nagai, the Coordinator and Director of the Program Director's Office, whose work involves creating a conducive research environment.
Keywords: Research environment development, Coordinator, Research management, Outreach activities
Affiliation and position are as of the interview date: April 2024
(Written by Ayano Akiyama (science writer) / Photo by Makoto Oikawa (Photographer))
What is your role in the Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences Program (iTHEMS)?
Nagai: iTHEMS aims to expand into a larger center. To achieve this, we first need a budget, and we also need a system that accommodates a larger scale while maintaining the methods we've used so far. Consequently, researchers face a lot of administrative tasks that ideally shouldn't consume their time. My role is to support researchers by managing these tasks as a research management specialist.
What is necessary to create a conducive research environment?
Nagai: A key feature of iTHEMS is that it comprises theoretical researchers from various fields, including mathematicians and those who use mathematics in their research. Of course, we conduct cutting-edge research in mathematics itself, but we also have computational scientists who are proficient in large-scale computing. iTHEMS is structured like overlapping circles of computational science, mathematics, and theoretical science, with researchers in each driving basic research beyond their fields. The areas we cover include life sciences like biology, materials science, and physics, including elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, and cosmology.
Regarding my background, I was originally a researcher in theoretical astronomy. After finishing graduate school, I began working in science communication at the newly opened National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan). At that time, it was called "public relations and outreach," but I expanded my capabilities based on my graduate school experiences. Later, I worked at JST’s Center for Research and Development Strategy, which functions like a think tank for science and technology policy, and experienced programs like "CREST" and "PRESTO." In my previous position, I managed projects in elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, and astrophysics research using the "K" and "Fugaku" supercomputers for nearly ten years. In these projects, researchers conducted cutting-edge large-scale simulations, and I helped them collaborate, share information, and organize their work. Although elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, and astrophysics are adjacent fields, they differ slightly, and their researchers belong to various universities and research institutions across Japan. Someone needs to oversee and manage these collective research efforts, especially when multiple research institutions come together.
Being familiar with theoretical astronomy research methods and experienced in a central role for establishing new mathematical research areas in CREST and PRESTO, I was naturally drawn to managing and promoting science in collaboration with the government. This interest led me to become the Coordinator of iTHEMS.
The environment you aim to create for research is about more than just experimental equipment and facilities, isn't it?
Nagai: When you think of mathematicians and theoretical researchers, you may imagine blackboards filled with equations. From my interactions with many mathematicians and theoretical researchers, I can confirm this image is accurate. There's a culture where our thoughts and research develop significantly through the physical action of writing, whether on paper with pencils, or on blackboards. This culture was familiar to me. Here, whiteboards are also used, but fundamentally, creating an environment where people connect and engage in lively discussions, leading to collaborative research, is crucial for mathematics and theoretical research.
However, theoretical research has the unpredictable aspect of not knowing where discoveries will come from. Therefore, the environment iTHEMS provides is a space where free collaborative research can emerge. This includes blackboards, whiteboards, and a flat organizational structure. Under Program Director Tetsuo Hatsuda, there are no hierarchical teams; everyone is on an equal footing, a structure we call "under one roof."
From a financial perspective, theoretical research isn't as costly as experimental research, but each researcher is allocated an annual budget. The talented people who join iTHEMS are eager to pursue new research. They can start discussions and study groups from anywhere. Additionally, there are working groups that explore new possibilities for interdisciplinary collaborative research. When we receive proposals to establish these study groups or working groups, we allocate funds, enabling activities like inviting external lecturers, and new research emerges from these initiatives.
iTHEMS is a very open organization for researchers. All seminars and various research-related events are made publicly available on the web. Researchers can easily hold study sessions or seminars by registering their intention to do so online, with the content being published on the website and notified to relevant parties via email. After the event, information is consolidated online, conveying what activities took place and who participated, including people from adjacent fields.
Research environments require aspects of both “hardware” and “software,” meaning both the tools and the necessary resources to fuel activities, correct?
Nagai: Exactly. When a space for discussing research is established, researchers come together, and collaborative research emerges. Since we don't have experimental facilities, it's crucial to first attract talented individuals. In this sense, raising our profile and informing the research community about our excellent institute is essential.
We provide an environment where people gathered through public recruitment are connected without forming teams based on specific themes or matchmaking, allowing them to conduct research freely and enjoyably. We focus on creating a space where everyone can conduct research with ease.
You're also involved in outreach activities to communicate research to the general public.
Nagai: iTHEMS is committed to increasing the number of women in research and nurturing young researchers. In cooperation with universities like Nara Women's University, we hold activities to encourage young researchers to enter this field, such as sending lecturers to the university from iTHEMS. We also hold online events for high school students, and we created the annual S&T poster for everyone “One S&T poster for Every Household,” produced by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) for Science and Technology Week. I led the production of this poster, aiming to educate people, from upper elementary school students and beyond, about mathematical sciences.
My work in science communication at Miraikan, JST, and as a project manager for research using supercomputers fostered my desire to mediate between the public, government, and researchers through science. This role is now being realized in my position as iTHEMS Coordinator.