A Hindu at Oxford
I have spent 39 of the past 42 years in Oxford (undergraduate and graduate student at Balliol, Junior Research Fellow at Wolfson, Tutorial Fellow at Brasenose and University Lecturer in Mathematical Biology at the Mathematical Institute and, presently, Professorial Fellow at St. John’s and Inaugural Statutory Professor of Mathematical Biology). My family moved from India to Northern Ireland in the 1950s and I was born and brought up in Northern Ireland, living on a council estate. Although I am an ethnic minority (Irish-Indian Hindu) I most closely identify myself as working-class.
School photo, Philip Maini.
I was extremely lucky to have gone to a Grammar School (Rainey Endowed School) which had excellent teachers and, in particular, the legendary Dr Gwilliam (known to all as “the Doc” because he was the only teacher in the school with a PhD) who was able to help coach students for Oxford Entrance. Each year, the school picked the best mathematician in the 6th form and asked if they wanted to try the Oxford Entrance examination. Mostly, people said no. My year was no exception, the chosen student said no mainly because they were concerned about the stress of competing with students who were the best at their school. Encouraged by my brother (a constant role model in my life) I then asked if I could try and the Headmaster, after consulting the Doc, gave me the go-ahead.
A photograph of Philip Maini at primary school with all the other children (Philip Maini bottom row 4th in from the right).
The opportunities offered by Oxford are limitless. Through the college system, I was able to interact with students from many different disciplines and therefore expand my horizons and gain a broad education. I was able to indulge in my passion for football, playing weekly in college leagues and learn from the top people in my subject. I was extremely lucky to be a doctoral student of Professor J.D. Murray, who really launched me on my career. A career which has enabled me to travel to nearly 70 different countries and to experience many different cultures.
Philip Maini today.
I have been extremely lucky because, at key points in my career, someone stepped in and guided me. If I had gone to a different school I probably would not have had the chance to embark on this journey. How many working-class teenagers will be as lucky as me? I think that we really need to work to remove the luck element from this so that those people from working-class backgrounds have the chance to fulfil their potential.
Philip Maini, Professorial Fellow at St John’s College and Professor of Mathematical Biology The Mathematical Institute, Oxford.
