Helen Wily Prize.

VALUE
$500

Academic Excellence 

Administered through UC

Helen Wily was a long serving member of the New Zealand Federation in University who was a leader in mathematics and statistics education in Christchurch. This prize is administered by the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Canterbury and was established in 2010.

The purpose of this prize is to support female students who excel in mathematical sciences at 300 or 400-level.

Helen Wily graduated MA from Victoria University in 1943 and became Head of Mathematics at Rangi Ruru School. She was later appointed to the College of Education. In 1980, Helen attended the 4th International Congress on Mathematical Education at Berkeley and met women who were setting up the fledgling International Organisation of Women in Mathematics Education.

The world’s leading women mathematics educators saw Helen as one of the pioneers in the field of girls’ mathematics education. The lack of girls studying higher mathematics was an international problem as it limited women’s career opportunities and Helen’s drive led to increased awareness of the problem in New Zealand and to improved outcomes.

At the 6th International Conference in Budapest, Helen was responsible for writing `Where have all the mathematicians gone?’ A published paper on how few women there were in New Zealand gaining mathematics degrees at the time.