SMS scnews item created by Catherine Meister at Thu 16 Apr 2026 1325
Type: Seminar
Distribution: World
Expiry: 16 Oct 2026
Calendar1: 20 Jul 2026 0930-1700
CalLoc1: ANU
CalTitle1: Global mathematics histories and futures (Day 1)
Calendar2: 21 Jul 2026 0900-1700
CalLoc2: ANU
CalTitle2: Global mathematics histories and futures (Day 2)
Calendar3: 22 Jul 2026 0900-1700
CalLoc3: ANU
CalTitle3: Global mathematics histories and futures (Day 3)
Calendar4: 23 Jul 2026 0900-1700
CalLoc4: ANU
CalTitle4: Global mathematics histories and futures (Day 4)
Calendar5: 24 Jul 2026 0900-1700
CalLoc5: ANU
CalTitle5: Global mathematics histories and futures (Day 5)
Auth: cmeister@ac02gr132pn7c.shared.sydney.edu.au (cmei0631) in SMS-SAML

Global mathematics histories and futures (Workshop at ANU)

20 July 2026 - 24 July 2026, Mathematical Sciences Institute (ANU)

What are the greatest mathematical challenges for humanity? In 1959 ‘the unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics’ was contemplated by Wigner as ‘a wonderful gift which we neither understand nor deserve’, the wonder being that mathematics is so powerful in describing and predicting observed behaviours of the physical and even the biological and social worlds. Sixty-five years later, those worlds are beset by even worse problems that are unprecedented in kind or in scale and global reach. Global climate warming, wildfires, the despairing, seemingly endless, cycles of regional wars that humanity seems locked into, the rise of the far right and authoritarianism, pandemics, the intractable biases of tech, microplastics pollution…

This workshop aims to expand the celebrated effectiveness of mathematics, through –









    The program of this research workshop and winter school may include keynote speakers on mathematics histories and the frontiers and futures of their research, expert lectures on diverse mathematical topics of broad interest, and moderated discussion sessions.

    Target participants include mathematics research students, early career researchers, university educators and senior researchers, and industry practitioners. Minimum mathematics prerequisite is completion of first-year mathematics to high standard. Lectures and Keynotes will be pitched at 3-4th year undergraduate and beginning postgraduate levels. At least one public lecture will be given, accessible to a general audience.

    This will be a fully accessible, friendly, informal and inclusive event. We welcome and value contributions from all participants.

    Convenor: Rowena Ball, ANU

    Scientific/Organising Committee and Co-Convenors: Lilia Ferrario (ANU, Stephan Tillmann (University of Sydney, Sydney Mathematical Research Institute), Jared Field (UTS), Jordan Pitt (University of Sydney), Eloise Tredenick (University of Canberra)

    Details and registration here,