Fri, 10 Mar 2023
16:00
L1

Opportunities Outside of Academia and Navigating the Transition to Industry - Modelling Climate Change at RMS Moody's

Dr Keven Roy
Abstract

Dr. Keven Roy from RMS Moody's Analytics (who are currently hiring!) will share his experience of transitioning from academia to industry, discussing his fascinating work in modelling climate change and how his mathematical background has helped him succeed in industry. After the approximately 20-minute talk, we'll hold a Q&A session to discuss the importance of considering industry in your job search. Aimed primarily at PhD students and postdocs, this session will explore options beyond academia that can provide a fulfilling career (as well as good work-life balance, and financial compensation!).

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion at Fridays@4 to expand your career horizons and help you make informed decisions about your future. There will be lots of time for Q&A in this session, but if you have questions for Keven you can also send them in advance to Jess Crawshaw (session organiser) - @email.

Fri, 03 Mar 2023
16:00
L1

What makes a good academic discussion? A panel event

Chair: Ian Hewitt (Associate HoD (People)) Panel: James Sparks (HoD); Helen Byrne (winner of MPLS Outstanding Supervisor Awards for 2022); Ali Goodall (Head of Faculty Services and HR); and Matija Tapuskovic (EPSRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow)
Abstract

Chair: Ian Hewitt (Associate HoD (People))

Panel:
James Sparks (Head of Department)
Helen Byrne (winner of MPLS Outstanding Supervisor Awards for 2022)
Ali Goodall (Head of Faculty Services and HR)
Matija Tapuskovic (EPSRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow and JRF at Corpus Christi)

Scientific discussions with colleagues, at conferences and seminars, during supervisions and collaborations, are a crucial part of our research process. How can we ensure our academic discussions are fruitful, respectful, and a positive experience for everyone involved? What factors and power dynamics can impact our conversations? How can we make sure everyone’s voice is heard and respected? This panel discussion will probe these questions and encourage us all to reflect on how we approach our academic discussions.

Fri, 24 Feb 2023
16:00
L1

North meets South Colloquium

Dr Aleksander Horawa (North Wing); Dr Jemima Tabeart (South Wing)
Abstract

Speaker: Dr Aleksander Horawa (North Wing)
Title: Bitcoin, elliptic curves, and this building


Abstract:
We will discuss two motivations to work on Algebraic Number Theory: applications to cryptography, and fame and fortune. For the first, we will explain how Bitcoin and other companies use Elliptic Curves to digitally sign messages. For the latter, we will introduce two famous problems in Number Theory: Fermat's Last Theorem, worth a name on this building, and the Birch Swinnerton--Dyer conjecture, worth $1,000,000 according to some people in this building (Clay Mathematics Institute).

 

Speaker: Dr Jemima Tabeart (South Wing)
Title: Numerical linear algebra for weather forecasting

Abstract:
The quality of a weather forecast is strongly determined by the accuracy of the initial condition. Data assimilation methods allow us to combine prior forecast information with new measurements in order to obtain the best estimate of the true initial condition. However, many of these approaches require the solution an enormous least-squares problem. In this talk I will discuss some mathematical and computational challenges associated with data assimilation for numerical weather prediction, and show how structure-exploiting numerical linear algebra approaches can lead to theoretical and computational improvements.

Fri, 17 Feb 2023
16:00
L1

Introducing Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Consultancy

Paul Gass and Dawn Gordon
Abstract

This session will introduce the opportunities for entrepreneurship and generating commercial impact available to researchers and students across MPLS. Representatives from the Maths Institute and across the university will discuss training and resources to help you begin enterprising and develop your ideas. We will hear from Paul Gass and Dawn Gordon about the support that can be provided by Oxford University Innovation, discussing commercialisation of research findings, consultancy, utilising your expertise and the protection and licensing of Intellectual Property. 

Please see below slides from the talk:

20230217 Short Seminar - Maths Fri@4_FINAL- Dept (1)_0.pdf

Introductory talk Maths 2023.pdf

Leadership and Innovation Presentation.pdf

Fri, 03 Feb 2023

15:30 - 16:30
Large Lecture Theatre, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford

Statistics' Florence Nightingale Lecture

Professor Marloes Matthuis
(ETH Zurich)
Further Information

Title: “Causal learning from observational data”

Please register in advance using the online form: https://www.stats.ox.ac.uk/events/florence-nightingale-lecture-2023

Marloes Henriette Maathuis is a Dutch statistician known for her work on causal inference using graphical models, particularly in high-dimensional data from applications in biology and epidemiology. She is a professor of statistics at ETH Zurich in Switzerland.

Abstract

I will discuss a line of work on estimating causal effects from observational data. In the first part of the talk, I will discuss identification and estimation of causal effects when the underlying causal graph is known, using adjustment. In the second part, I will discuss what one can do when the causal graph is unknown. Throughout, examples will be used to illustrate the concepts and no background in causality is assumed.

Fri, 27 Jan 2023
16:00
L1

How to give a talk

Abstract

In this session, we will hold a panel discussion on how to best give an academic talk. Among other topics, we will focus on techniques for engaging your audience, for determining the level and technical details of the talk, and for giving both blackboard and slide presentations. The discussion will begin with a directed panel discussion before opening up to questions from the audience.

Fri, 20 Jan 2023
16:00
L1

Departmental Colloquium

Professor James Maynard
(Mathematical Institute (University of Oxford))
Further Information

Title: “Prime numbers: Techniques, results and questions”

Abstract

The basic question in prime number theory is to try to understand the number of primes in some interesting set of integers. Unfortunately many of the most basic and natural examples are famous open problems which are over 100 years old!

We aim to give an accessible survey of (a selection of) the main results and techniques in prime number theory. In particular we highlight progress on some of these famous problems, as well as a selection of our favourite problems for future progress.

Mon, 16 Jan 2023
16:00
N3.12

Some things about the class number formula

Håvard Damm-Johnsen
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

The Dedekind zeta function generalises the Riemann zeta
function to other number fields than the rationals. The analytic class number
formula says that the leading term of the Dedekind zeta function is a
product of invariants of the number field. I will say some things
about the class number formula, about L-functions, and about Stark's
conjecture which generalises the class number formula.

OBMS brings together mathematicians, chemists, physicists and engineers from academia and industry to discuss the latest modelling research and applications.

Our philosophy is to invite a small number of outstanding speakers spanning a range of topics from atomistic to continuum modelling, controls and beyond, giving broad and inspiring presentations and open discussions.

Prime numbers: Techniques, results and questions

Today, 4 pm, Lecture Theatre 1

Followed by a reception in the Common Room to celebrate our 2022 Fields medallist. You are all very welcome.

Photo of jJmes

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