Friday 9th January 2026

Events in the Department

Oxford Mathematics Public Lecture: How Costly is Your Brain's Activity Pattern? - Dani Bassett

Thursday 22 January 2026, 5.00-6.00 pm Andrew Wiles Building. Please email @email to register to attend in person.

Neural systems in general - and the human brain in particular - are organised as networks of interconnected components. Across a range of spatial scales from single cells to macroscopic areas, biological neural networks are neither perfectly ordered nor perfectly random. Dani will demonstrate how the principle of network economy can inform our study of neural system function in health and disease and provide a useful lens on neural computation.

Dani Bassett is the J. Peter Skirkanich Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2016, Dani was named one of the ten most brilliant scientists of the year by Popular Science magazine.

The lecture will be broadcast on the Oxford Mathematics YouTube Channel on Wednesday 11 February at 5-6 pm and any time after (no need to register for the online version). The Oxford Mathematics Public Lectures are generously supported by XTX Markets.

Teaching and Learning

Short stories 1 - Inspiration

We all need someone to look up to, someone eminent. Or not eminent yet.

Short stories 2 - Always on my Mind

You were always on my mind. Zoe, Chiara and Holly sing a familiar song.

Short stories 3 - I'll have the turkey

One criticism of mathematicians is that they always seem to have an answer for everything. Nothing is beyond their reach. Absolutely right. Take the Christmas menu for example. Joshua Bull is your waiter.

Short stories 4 - Eh Aye

Highlights from the comments on our social media in 2025: Flat Earthers 'descending' on our Space video; raging rows over nothing in particular; and lots of that crazy little thing called love. Familiar? Oh, yes And AI.

Short Stories 5 - Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit

Rabbit: a small furry mammal. 'Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit: a superstition for day one of the month to bring luck for the rest of it. 'Rabbit and pork: Cockney rhyming slang for talk, as in too much of. Rabbit: a maths puzzle?

You can watch Robin's full 15-minute talk on the Golden Ratio here.

Short stories 6 - One cool cat

Cats are mathematically smart. They can count to nine, they are rarely heading for a fall, and when they are, they always land on their feet. But sometimes they just don't know whether they are coming or going.

News From Elsewhere in the University

Struggling to find joy? Feeling unmotivated? Interested in contributing to research?

The Department of Psychiatry are looking for volunteers aged 18–65 who are experiencing low mood or reduced motivation to take part in a study testing a 7-day course of Losartan (a licensed blood pressure medicine) or placebo, and psychological training focused on activity scheduling. 

Participants who complete the study will be reimbursed at least £140, plus reasonable travel expenses for visits.

Take the pre-screening survey. To find out more email @email

Image: Edward Hopper - Automat

The David Blackwell Lecture

Michael I. Jordan (Inria Paris and the University of California, Berkeley) - A Collectivist, Economic Perspective on AI 

29 January, 3.30-4.30 pm, Large Lecture Theatre, Department of Statistics

Register

News From the Wider Mathematical Community

LMS Events

The London Mathematical Society runs a range of talks and conferences for all levels, both online and in-person.

Full calendar

For Graduate Students

Work for Canada/USA Mathcamp

Canada/USA Mathcamp is looking for math graduate students as leaders for its summer 2026 session. 

When: June 23rd, 2026 to August 7th, 2026

Where: Champlain College, Burlington, Vermont

Compensation: $6,600 plus room, board, travel, and other work-related expenses

Application Deadline: February 11th, 2026

Details and online application

Questions? Come to our live Q&A session on Jan 10 or Jan 25, and don't hesitate to reach out with questions. (For Q&A sessions, register here for Jan 10 and here for Jan 25.

Other News

Café π news - Veganuary

Veganuary specials:

This week: 20% off all vegan main hot meals

Monday 12 – Friday 16: launch of new vegan cakes

Monday 19 – Friday 23: free alternative milks with all hot and iced drinks

Monday 26 – Friday 30: buy one, get one half price on all vegan cakes and pastries

Song of the Week: Maxine Nightingale – Right Back Where We Started From

One to kick off the new year in high spirits. Apparently it cost about £100 to make and sold millions.