Mathematical Institute Bulletin

Recent postgraduate student Wei Xiong has been awarded the PLEXUS Advancement Award for Artificial Intelligence in the Financial Sector. 

The award is for the PhD thesis 'Dynamics of Market Making Algorithms in Dealer Markets'.

Going for Gold: the Mathematics of Sporting Glory - Amandine Aftalion

Thursday 25 September, 5-6pm, Andrew Wiles Building

What is the best way to run to win a race? Why does a sprinter slow down before the finish line? Why do you swim better slightly underwater? Why, on a bike, the faster you go, the more stable you are?

Amandine Aftalion is a mathematician and a senior scientist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). She is author of 'Be a Champion, 40 facts you didn't know about sports and science'.

Please email Dyrol to register to attend in person. The lecture will be broadcast on the Oxford Mathematics YouTube Channel on Thursday 16 October at 5-6pm and any time after (no need to register for the online version). The Oxford Mathematics Public Lectures are generously supported by XTX Markets.

Buckling. Sounds ominous, doesn't it? Think bridges. But buckling can be a positive force and is common in nature. 

Let Marc Suñé explain.

Amazing what you can do with some wood, some glue and some mathematics.

André Henriques introduces his self-made contact structure.

On 23 September 2025, the Oxford EARTH programme invites all members of the University of Oxford to join them for their internal launch event.

Oxford EARTH is the university’s pioneering, multidisciplinary research programme dedicated to tackling the pressing challenges of sustainable and equitable natural resource management and innovation. The programme spans nine departments and two divisions and takes an interdisciplinary approach to addressing the challenges of resourcing the clean energy transition. The aim of this launch is to introduce Oxford EARTH to the wider University and open avenues for collaboration with departments and divisions beyond those already in the programme.

Sign up

Image: Hieronymus Bosch - The Garden of Earthly Delights (from left to right: The Garden of Eden, The Garden of Earthly Delights, The Hell)

Would you like to seek innovative solutions to societal challenges through collaboration? Are you interested in using your research and public engagement skills to support Oxfordshire communities? Do you want to develop your skills and gain new insights and perspectives? If so, then apply now to be part of our community engagement programme. More information.

Spring into Quant Finance is G-Research’s week-long residential programme, held annually. This year the week with take place from Sunday 12^th April – Friday 17^th April 2026.

More information

Image: Alexandre Alexeieff - The Night Scotsman (railway poster)

Irving Berlin's masterpiece from the 1935 film Top Hat. Fred sings Cheek to Cheek to Ginger Rogers as they grace the dance floor. You can watch plenty of footage of that on YouTube, but today let's concentrate on the song: lyrics, music and, of course, Fred.