Whittaker Prize winner 2025
Dr. Jan Sbierski (University of Edinburgh)
Prof. Tara Brendle (University of Glasgow)
The Torelli group: a quick tour In this talk we will give a gentle introduction to the Torelli group of a surface. The talk will survey some of its algebraic properties as well as its connection with low-dimensional topology. Along the way we will highlight some seminal work of Joan Birman and Dennis Johnson, among others. Note: due to technical issues, […]
Dr Katie Steckles (katiesteckles.co.uk)
Maths’ Greatest Unsolved Puzzles While mathematicians are undoubtedly brilliant, and their work is used in all kinds of amazing scientific and technological discoveries, there are still questions they can’t answer. Every mathematical question is a puzzle to be solved, and while there’ll be plenty of puzzles for you to chew on, we’ll also discuss some of the questions that still […]
Prof Miguel Pinãr (University of Granada Spain)
Orthogonal Sobolev polynomials and spectral methods for boundary value problems on the unit ball Our main objective in this talk is to demonstrate how orthogonal Sobolev polynomials emerge as a useful tool within the framework of spectral methods for boundary-value problems. The solution of a boundary-value problem for a stationary Schrödinger equation on the unit ball can be studied from […]
Prof Jon Chapman (University Oxford)
Exponential asymptotics and applied mathematics Divergent series are the invention of the devil, and it is shameful to base on themany demonstration whatsoever.” – N. H. Abel.The lecture will introduce the concept of an asymptotic series, showing how useful divergentseries can be, despite Abel’s reservations. We will then discuss Stokes’ phenomenon, wherebythe coefficients in the series appear to change discontinuously. […]
Prof Alain Goriely (University of Oxford)
Seeing is deceiving: The mathematics of visual illusions Illusions have been a constant source of amusement but they are also a unique gateway into understanding the way we perceive the world and how the brain processes information. The simplest visual illusions often involve a primary element—be it a line or a circle—that undergoes deformation or displacement due to the influence […]
Prof Anna-Karin Tornberg (KTH Stockholm)
Layer potentials – quadrature error estimates and approximation with error control When numerically solving PDEs reformulated as integral equations, so-called layer potentials must be evaluated. The quadrature error associated with a regular quadrature rule for evaluation of such integrals increases rapidly when the evaluation point approaches the surface and the integrand becomes sharply peaked. Error estimates are needed to determine […]