There is surely an urgent need to broaden Australian PhD training to ensure that students understand the place of mathematics in a wider intellectual and disciplinary context. Two of the priority areas, as I judge them, are:
- Ensure a broad knowledge of areas of mathematics where there is high demand. Currently there is a huge demand for statistical and associated computing skills, likely to continue for several decades at least.
- Ensure some contact with major themes in contemporary biology, psychology, chemistry, physics and economics (including behavioural economics).
This is as necessary for those who will enter academia as for those who will work in business or industry. Breadth of vision will make for more informed and generally better assessment of training priorities for their students, and a better base from which to relate to colleagues in other disciplines.