Mathematical Institute Bulletin

The mathematical genius of birds with Christiana Mavroyiakoumou.

9 am, first day of term, first lecture for our first-year undergraduates in the company of James Munro. The only time they'll turn up (vaguely) on time.

Join us for the inaugural session of Mathematrix Book Club on Wednesday 22^nd at 2:30 pm in N3.12.  

Office workplaces often have the thermostat set at a temperature that is too cold for women to work comfortably. This month we will discuss the academic articles behind concepts that often come up in conversations about gender inequality in the workplace. The goal of Book Club is to develop an evidence-based understanding of diversity in mathematics and academia.

Please join our mailing list by sending a blank email to @email or join the Mathematrix Whatsapp group (see QR code on term cards around the department) to receive reading materials over the weekend. You don’t have to read the articles in advance, but having a skim of the abstracts would be great. All open-minded graduate students and postdocs are invited.

Amandine Aftalion's Pubic Lecture is now on YouTube if you want tips on how to smash it when it comes to running and swimming and floating in the air.

New tutors and teaching staff are encouraged to work through the Centre for Teaching and Learning’s Starting to Teach at the University of Oxford self-guided Canvas course (SSO required). The resource introduces the structure of teaching and learning at Oxford and includes modules on University resources, tutorial teaching, research supervision, and further support. It also includes a glossary to help you navigate some of the Oxford-specific terms you are likely to encounter.

More info

New resources and support including:

The new Menopause Support Staff Network 

University guidance on menopause in the workplace

Image: Laura Knight - Lubov Tchernicheva

Take a well-deserved break and boost your wellbeing at the Radcliffe Science Library. Our wellbeing programme offers engaging and relaxing activities to help you unwind and connect with others. Build yourself up with Lego Lunch every Wednesday, or drop by for free hot drinks on Wednesday mornings during term time. If something’s on your mind, share it anonymously in our Worry Box or warm yourself up with a free Hot Chocolate.

• RSL Wellbeing Calendar
• Blog post on RSL Wellbeing

Image: Wayne Thiebaud - Three Half Cakes

I'm Zoe, this year's president of the Oxford SIAM Student Chapter - we run events like the Junior Applied Mathematics Seminar (JAMS), Three Minute Thesis and the Applied Mathematics Postgraduate Conference. 

We're kicking off JAMS next Tuesday at 12:30-1 pm in C3, where Georgina Ryan will be telling us about Mathematical modelling of a mass-conserving electrolytic cell (see abstract here).

To stay up to date with details of our events and future ones to come, sign up to our mailing list  (don't worry, we don't spam) by sending a blank email to: @email. Sign up for your free SIAM student membership here and if you are interested in getting involved, there is still room on the committee. Just send an email to @email to express your interest.

Special Lunch Pop-Up: Poke Bowls

Tuesday, 21 October 12 pm – 2 pm

Our fresh, flavourful poke bowls for only £6.50 - choose from Chicken Katsu or Kinoko Mushroom. Served with jasmine rice and your choice of toppings - pickled red cabbage, sweetcorn, edamame beans, and more. 

Dash Water: free samples

Wednesday, 22 October 12 pm – 2 pm

Free samples including wonky fruit infused sparkling water

This track is from the soundtrack to the Louis Malle 1958 film Ascenseur pour l'échafaud. Apparently Davis only gave the musicians a few rudimentary harmonic sequences, and, once the plot was explained, the band improvised without any precomposed theme, while edited loops of the relevant film sequences were projected in the background.

Makes you want to go to the movies.