Dr Sofya Lyakhova

Associate Professor

Mathematics

+44 (0) 1792 602793

s.lyakhova@swansea.ac.uk

Office - 315
Third Floor
Computational Foundry
Bay Campus

About

Sofya Lyakhova holds the position of Associate Professor of Mathematics at Swansea University and serves as the Program Leader for a significant national initiative dedicated to supporting post-16 mathematics education in Wales—the Further Mathematics Support Programme Wales (FMSPW), funded by the Welsh Government (https://furthermaths.wales/). Sofya has an extensive background in teaching mathematics at both school and university levels, as well as in teacher professional development, curriculum design, assessment in mathematics, and public engagement in mathematics.

Sofya’s professional journey encompasses a range of research projects, initially in pure mathematics and later expanding into mathematics education and technology-enhanced learning within the Welsh context. Sofya has also collaborated with the Welsh Government on projects related to curriculum reform. Holding a PhD in Pure Mathematics from Bristol University and possessing qualifications as a secondary mathematics teacher, she transitioned to higher education in 2010 after having worked in medical technology companies.

Areas Of Expertise

Mathematical Analysis
Differential Equations
Mathematical Education
Curriculum reform
Education Policy
Mathematics Engagement and Enrichment

Publications

Research Highlights

Lyakhova, S. (2023). On the use of technology in university mathematics teaching and assessment in STEM degree schemes
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65332
https://www.jmc.org.uk/2023/07/12/on-the-use-of-technology-in-university-mathematics-teaching-and-assessment-in-stem-degree-schemes/
Lyakhova, S., Oakes, D., & Joubert, M. (2021). Engaging with mathematics during Covid-19: students aged 16+ responding to a mathematics ‘Box Set’ of enrichment video materials. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications: An International Journal of the IMA, 40(4), 277-295.
https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hrab023, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58717
Lyakhova, S. & Neate, A. (2021). Further Mathematics, student choice and transition to university: part 2—non-mathematics STEM degrees. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications: An International Journal of the IMA, 40(3), 210-233.
https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hrab004, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56439
Lyakhova, S. & Golding, J. (2021). School mathematics education and digital technologies
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58718
https://www.jmc.org.uk/2021/11/03/517/
Lyakhova, S., Neate, A., Durbin, S., & Dorris, R. (2021). Secondary students engaging in a live online enrichment programme. In Proceedings of the British Society for Research into Learning MathematicsBritish Society for Research into Learning Mathematics.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58719
https://bsrlm.org.uk/publications/proceedings-of-day-conference/ip41-2/
Lyakhova, S. & Joubert, M. (2022). Post-16 Further Mathematics blended learning: learner self-regulation, mathematical resilience and technology. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications: An International Journal of the IMA, 41(1), 51-68.
https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hrab005, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56699
Lyakhova, S. (2020). Remote Teaching and Covid-19 Approaches to School Education. Commissioned at the request of the Children, Young People and Education Committee to inform its inquiry into the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on children and young people in Wales, Senedd Cymru
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55290
https://business.senedd.wales/documents/s105162/
Lyakhova, S., Joubert, M., Capraro, M., & Capraro, R. (2019). Designing a curriculum based on four purposes: let mathematics speak for itself. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 51(4), 513-529.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2019.1594389, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa49182
Oakes, D., Birch, T., & Lyakhova, S. (2019). 3D Curriculum. In Proceedings of the British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55293
https://bsrlm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/BSRLM-CP-39-2-9.pdf
Oakes, D., Joubert, M., & Lyakhova, S. (2019). Exploring teachers’ use of time gained due to the use of a flipped classroom approach in mathematics. In Proceedings of the British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55292
https://bsrlm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/BSRLM-CP-39-2-10.pdf

All Research

Journal Articles

Lyakhova, S. & Joubert, M. (2022). Post-16 Further Mathematics blended learning: learner self-regulation, mathematical resilience and technology. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications: An International Journal of the IMA, 41(1), 51-68.
https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hrab005, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56699
Lyakhova, S., Oakes, D., & Joubert, M. (2021). Engaging with mathematics during Covid-19: students aged 16+ responding to a mathematics ‘Box Set’ of enrichment video materials. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications: An International Journal of the IMA, 40(4), 277-295.
https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hrab023, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58717
Lyakhova, S. & Neate, A. (2021). Further Mathematics, student choice and transition to university: part 2—non-mathematics STEM degrees. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications: An International Journal of the IMA, 40(3), 210-233.
https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hrab004, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56439
Lyakhova, S., Joubert, M., Capraro, M., & Capraro, R. (2019). Designing a curriculum based on four purposes: let mathematics speak for itself. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 51(4), 513-529.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2019.1594389, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa49182
Lyakhova, S. & Neate, A. (2018). Further Mathematics, student choice and transition to university: part 1 - Mathematics degrees. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications: An International Journal of the IMA, 38(4), 167-190.
https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hry013, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37053
Tanner, H., Lyakhova, S., & Neate, A. (2016). Choosing Further Mathematics. Cylchgrawn Addysg Cymru / Wales Journal of Education, 18(2), 23-40.
https://doi.org/10.16922/wje.18.2.4, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa27548
http://dx.doi.org/10.16922/wje.18.2.4
Liskevich, V., Lyakhova, S., & Moroz, V. (2007). Positive solutions to nonlinear p-Laplace equations with Hardy potential in exterior domains. Journal of Differential Equations, 232(1), 212-252.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jde.2006.09.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa1659
Liskevich, V., Lyakhova, S., & Moroz, V. (2006). Positive solutions to singular semilinear elliptic equations with critical potential on cone-like domains.. Advances in Differential Equations, 11(4), 361-398.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37290
http://projecteuclid.org/euclid.ade/1355867701

Conference Contributions

Lyakhova, S., Neate, A., Durbin, S., & Dorris, R. (2021). Secondary students engaging in a live online enrichment programme. In Proceedings of the British Society for Research into Learning MathematicsBritish Society for Research into Learning Mathematics.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58719
https://bsrlm.org.uk/publications/proceedings-of-day-conference/ip41-2/
Oakes, D., Birch, T., & Lyakhova, S. (2019). 3D Curriculum. In Proceedings of the British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55293
https://bsrlm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/BSRLM-CP-39-2-9.pdf
Oakes, D., Joubert, M., & Lyakhova, S. (2019). Exploring teachers’ use of time gained due to the use of a flipped classroom approach in mathematics. In Proceedings of the British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55292
https://bsrlm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/BSRLM-CP-39-2-10.pdf
Joubert, M., Oakes, D., Lyakhova, S., & Davies, A. (2019). An in-depth look at students’ experiences of, and thoughts about, ‘flipped classrooms’ in mathematics. In Proceedings of the British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55294
https://bsrlm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/BSRLM-CP-39-1-05.pdf
Oakes, D., Davies, A., Joubert, M., & Lyakhova, S. (2018). Exploring teachers’ and students’ responses to the use of a Flipped Classroom teaching approach in mathematics. In Proceedings of the British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55291
https://bsrlm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/BSRLM-CP-38-3-14.pdf
Lyakhova, S. & Neate, A. (2017). Further Mathematics and the transition between school and university mathematics. In Mathematics Education beyond 16: Pathways and TransitionsMathematics Education beyond 16: Pathways and Transitions.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa34764
https://ima.org.uk/2996/mathematics-education-beyond-16-pathways-transitions/
Liskevich, V., Lyakhova, S., & Moroz, V. (2005). Positive solutions to semilinear elliptic equations with critical lower order terms. In EQUADIFF 2003 (pp. 549-554). World Scientific.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789812702067_0091, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa24606

Other Research Outputs

Lyakhova, S. (2023). On the use of technology in university mathematics teaching and assessment in STEM degree schemes
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65332
https://www.jmc.org.uk/2023/07/12/on-the-use-of-technology-in-university-mathematics-teaching-and-assessment-in-stem-degree-schemes/
Lyakhova, S. & Golding, J. (2021). School mathematics education and digital technologies
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58718
https://www.jmc.org.uk/2021/11/03/517/
Lyakhova, S. (2020). Remote Teaching and Covid-19 Approaches to School Education. Commissioned at the request of the Children, Young People and Education Committee to inform its inquiry into the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on children and young people in Wales, Senedd Cymru
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55290
https://business.senedd.wales/documents/s105162/
Lyakhova, S. & Tanner , H. (2016). A New Approach to Professional Development in Mathematics
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa31324
http://www.iwa.wales/click/2016/11/new-approach-professional-development-mathematics/

Supervision

Predicting Academic Progress in Secondary School Students: How Can AI Help Identify Students Who Need Assistance? (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Tom Owen

Taught Modules

MA-131 Geometry: Mathematics, Logic and Communication

An introduction to Euclidean geometry and the axiomatic method, as a basis for developing general mathematical skills including logic and communication.
MA-395 Teaching Mathematics via a School Placement

This module is for students with an interest in entering teaching, and involves a weekly placement in a local school under the mentorship of a mathematics teacher. The student will engage both in observation and in various teaching activities. The module will be assessed on the basis of the mentor's report, on written project work and a final presentation.

Other Roles

Advisory Group – Education, The Academy for the Mathematical Sciences

2023 - Present
Swansea Maths Champion, UK Knowledge Exchange Hub for Mathematical Sciences

2023 - Present
Working Group member, JMC Technology in Mathematics Education

2022 - 2023
Session Leader, Post-Covid recovery mathematics conversations, Welsh Government

2022 - 2022
Wales Online series Organiser, Royal Institution Mathematics Masterclass

2022 - Present
Advisory Group Member, Cambridge Mathematics UK

2021 - Present
Organiser, Online International Maths Camp Wales

2020 - Present
Branch member, IMA South West and Wales

2020 - Present
co-opted trustee, The Joint Mathematical Council of the UK

2019 - Present
grant holder, National Network for Excellence in Mathematics (NNEM) Cymru

2016 - 2019
expert guest, Mathematics and Numeracy Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE)

2017 - 2019
Member of the Mathematics Task and Finish Group, Welsh Government

2014 - 2015
Organiser Swansea Series, Royal Institution Mathematics Masterclass

2011 - Present
Programme Leader, FMSPW Further Maths Support Programme Wales

2010 - Present

Key Grants and Projects

Numeracy for Parents 2023 - 2024

funder SPF Multiply UK, £270K
Further Maths Support Programme Wales 2022 - 2023

funder DFES, Welsh Government, £450K
Further Maths Support Programme Wales 2021 - 2022

funder DFES, Welsh Government, £450K
Primary and GCCE Maths and Numeracy Post-Covid Recovery and Resilience 2021 - 2022

funder DFES, Welsh Government, £50K
Further Maths Support Programme Wales 2020 - 2021

funder DFES, Welsh Government, £450K
Further Maths Support Programme Wales 2019 - 2020

funder DFES, Welsh Government, £500K
Further Maths Support Programme Wales 2018 - 2019

funder DFES, Welsh Government, £500K
National Network for Excellence in Mathematics 2016 - 2018

funder DfES, Welsh Government, £445K
Enhanced Mathematics Provision for Oxbridge students 2017 - 2018

Funder Waterloo Foundation, £21K
Further Maths Support Programme Wales, pan-Wales coverage 2016 - 2018

funder DfES, Welsh Government, £920K
Further Maths Support Programme Wales 2014 - 2016

Established programme funder DFES, Welsh Government, £450K
Further Maths Support Programme Wales, pilot phase 2013 - 2014

Funder DFES, Welsh Government, £214K

Dr Sofya Lyakhova

Telephone number

Email address

About

Areas Of Expertise

Research Highlights

All Research

Predicting Academic Progress in Secondary School Students: How Can AI Help Identify Students Who Need Assistance? (current)

MA-131 Geometry: Mathematics, Logic and Communication

MA-395 Teaching Mathematics via a School Placement

Advisory Group – Education, The Academy for the Mathematical Sciences

Swansea Maths Champion, UK Knowledge Exchange Hub for Mathematical Sciences

Working Group member, JMC Technology in Mathematics Education

Session Leader, Post-Covid recovery mathematics conversations, Welsh Government

Wales Online series Organiser, Royal Institution Mathematics Masterclass

Advisory Group Member, Cambridge Mathematics UK

Organiser, Online International Maths Camp Wales

Branch member, IMA South West and Wales

co-opted trustee, The Joint Mathematical Council of the UK

grant holder, National Network for Excellence in Mathematics (NNEM) Cymru

expert guest, Mathematics and Numeracy Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE)

Member of the Mathematics Task and Finish Group, Welsh Government

Organiser Swansea Series, Royal Institution Mathematics Masterclass

Programme Leader, FMSPW Further Maths Support Programme Wales

Primary and GCCE Maths and Numeracy Post-Covid Recovery and Resilience 2021 - 2022

National Network for Excellence in Mathematics 2016 - 2018

Enhanced Mathematics Provision for Oxbridge students 2017 - 2018

Further Maths Support Programme Wales, pan-Wales coverage 2016 - 2018

Further Maths Support Programme Wales 2014 - 2016

Further Maths Support Programme Wales, pilot phase 2013 - 2014