Richard is a Reader in Mathematics and the Director of Teaching in the School of Mathematics at the University of Edinburgh.  He has a research background in classical real analysis and the calculus of variations, but is now focussed on teaching, with particular interests in innovative course design and delivery in higher education mathematics. He represents the SMC on the Learned Societies Group. In addition to his undoubted talent in mathematics, Richard is an accomplished violinist. He is currently leader of Scottish Sinfonia and has performed as the soloist in a number of violin concertos.