Sir Vaughan Frederick Randal Jones (31 December 1952 – 6 September 2020) was a New Zealand mathematician known for his work on von Neumann algebras and knot polynomials.

His thesis, titled Actions of finite groups on the hyperfinite II1 factor, was written under the supervision of André Haefliger, and won him the Vacheron Constantin Prize.

[9] Jones was made an honorary vice-president for life of the International Guild of Knot Tyers in 1992.

[10] Jones met his wife, Martha Myers, during a ski camp for foreign students while they were studying in Switzerland.

[2][3] Jones died on 6 September 2020 at age 67 from health complications resulting from a severe ear infection.