Mathematical Institute Bulletin

We are seeking mentors and projects for online research projects with Africa. This scheme matches mentors with master’s-level students in sub-Saharan Africa who are not currently enrolled in a PhD programme. Through a combination of research experience and skills training, the scheme aims to empower students to make competitive graduate applications in Africa and elsewhere. 

The 2026 programme will take place for 8 weeks from 8th July – 4th September 2026 . Mentors are expected to usually meet weekly with their mentees. We hope to be able to offer an honorarium of £300 to mentors (subject to securing funding). 

Project proposals (consisting of a description of the project, around 250 words) should be sent to @email by 5pm on Friday 20th March 2026. Projects from 2025 can be viewed here. Projects in Machine Learning and Data Science are especially welcome.

Image: Yusuf Grillo - The Duet

The Student Tea@11 service is starting this Monday (23rd February) at 11 am in the Common Room. We look forward to welcoming you with fresh cups of coffee, tea, and a variety of biscuits, all served efficiently by one of our student volunteers.

We hope to see many of you there to start us off strong. Can’t make it Monday? No need to worry: we’ll be there Mon-Fri from 11:00 to 11:15 am until the end of Week 9.

Oxford Mathematics Public Lecture: Wednesday 11 March, 5 pm.

Computers have long been useful for studying mathematical problems. But recently computer techniques have been used to prove new theorems in geometry, specifically related to the study of gravity through Einstein's theory of General Relativity. This talk will describe these developments and what they might mean for the future.

Jason Lotay is Professor of Mathematics here in the Mathematical Institute.

Please email @email to register to attend in person. The lecture will be broadcast on the Oxford Mathematics YouTube Channel on Wednesday 25 March 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.

As we know, our students travel from all over the world to study mathematics in Oxford; our current first years are from 34 different countries.

Angie clocks up over 10,000 miles each way. Ain't it good to be alive?

Whitehead Library - new books for February

These include the following titles. Full list here

Join a day of action and insight as we explore the true cost of the motherhood penalty.

Thursday 19 March, Said Business School

More information

Image: Käthe Kollwitz - Municipal Shelter

As Ramadan will fall primarily within term time this year, the University Equality and Diversity Unit (EDU) has collated a list of spaces that can be available for prayer for staff and students who may be on-site in department buildings. In our case that means S0.30, at the far end of the South Side.

Full list of spaces

The Public & Community Engagement with Research (PCER) Conference 2026 is inviting contributions for sessions and posters/displays. 

Thursday 11 June 2026 | Life and Mind Building, Oxford

This one-day conference will bring together University staff, researchers, external partners and community members to celebrate Oxford’s engagement work and explore how responsible and purposeful engagement strengthens research quality, builds trust, and delivers benefits for society locally, nationally, and globally.

Image: Anish Kapoor - Sectional Body Preparing for Monadic Singularity, 2015

Ramen Lunch Pop-Up, Tuesday 24 February, 12 – 2 pm

• Choose from sesame tofu or char siu pork
• Pick your base: egg noodles or rice noodles
• Served in a comforting vegetable broth with pak choi, beansprouts, and your choice of toppings including spring onion, red chilli, coriander, and sesame seeds

Short Stories 2, addendum

The critics say this is the beginning of the Stones' decline. Some decline.

They can't say we never tried.