A 1977 bachelor's degree from the University of New South Wales marked the beginning of William G. McCallum’s career in mathematics. Born in 1956 in Sydney, he proceeded to earn his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1984. Since that time, his work has spanned academic research in arithmetical algebraic geometry and the practical implementation of national education standards.
Academic Foundation and Research
Under the supervision of Barry Mazur, McCallum completed his doctoral research at Harvard. His early academic trajectory included postdoctoral positions at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute. In 1987, he joined the faculty at the University of Arizona, where he remained for the duration of his professional career.
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McCallum participated in the founding of the Harvard Calculus Consortium alongside Deborah Hughes Hallett and Andrew M. Gleason. His influence on educational curricula expanded significantly when he led the development of the Common Core standards for mathematics, spanning from 2009 to the standards' initial release in 2010. Following this work, he founded the organization Illustrative Mathematics in 2014 to provide resources aligned with these curricular frameworks.
University Leadership and Recognition
At the University of Arizona, McCallum served as the head of the Department of Mathematics between 2009 and 2013. He held the title of University Distinguished Professor from 2006 until his retirement in 2018. His contributions to the field earned him multiple recognitions, including the inaugural Mary P. Dolciani Award in 2012 and the AMS Distinguished Public Service Award in the same year.
Fast facts
- Born: 1956, Sydney, Australia
- Ph.D.: Harvard University, 1984
- Undergraduate: University of New South Wales, 1977
- Joined University of Arizona: 1987
- Department Head, University of Arizona: 2009-2013
- Fellow of the American Mathematical Society: 2013
- Founded Illustrative Mathematics: 2014
- Retired: 2018
Questions readers ask
What is William G. McCallum's primary field of study?
His research focused on arithmetical algebraic geometry, alongside a significant professional commitment to mathematics education.
When did McCallum retire from his university post?
He retired from his position as a University Distinguished Professor at the University of Arizona in 2018.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Arizona