Friday 8th May 2026

Good News

Contribution to the Department Awards 2024-25 - Graduate students

Congratulations to the following graduate students:

Jad Hamdan - for his contributions to the Random Matrix Theory group through supporting and welcoming visitors, organising social events, and helping foster a collegial and inclusive group culture. He has also been a dependable source of support for junior members and an active contributor to seminars, group dinners, and wider group life.

Zoe Godard - for her contributions as President of the SIAM Student Chapter, where she has greatly expanded the chapter’s visibility and activity over the past 18 months. She also played a central role in organising the Oxford Women and Nonbinary People in Mathematics Day, including coordinating speakers, logistics, and event design, while contributing positively to the culture of both OCIAM and WCMB.

Alice Lüscher - for her contributions in co-organising the weekly Mathematical Physics journal club, and providing exceptional mentorship and support to MTP students. She has also made major contributions to outreach through the Maths Festival, UNIQ, school talks and the MIORPA research programme.

Leo Gitin - for his contributions as a leading voice on the Consultative Committee for Graduates, where he played a central role in communicating student concerns and improving departmental responsiveness on key issues. He has also provided exceptional service to the Logic Research Group through co-organising the Junior Logic group seminar, writing and distributing the weekly newsletter, and providing vital teaching support and engagement across the department.

AI Andrew Wiles Building

Matters of the Moment

The Mathematical Institute Quiz

It's quiz time. Gather your team - or join one on the night - and come on down (or up) to the Common Room. There will be pizza and drinks for all, and prizes for the winning team.

Harry Stuart has once again written the quiz. For those of you who weren't at the department quiz in late 2023, you can expect a fun, general knowledge quiz with some extra puzzle-like elements to keep things interesting.

Thursday 4th June 2026, 17:00-20:00(ish). Quizzing will start at 17:30, Common Room, Andrew Wiles Building. 

To help make sure we order the right amount of pizza and print the right number of answer sheets, please can you sign up below.

Sign up and more information

Poster

 

Events in the Department

Mathematrix lunch To celebrate International Women in Mathematics Day

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To celebrate International Women in Mathematics Day (May 12), Mathematrix is hosting a pizza lunch where we will watch ‘Journeys of Women in Mathematics’,  a powerful 20-minute film by the International Mathematical Union showcasing the experiences of women mathematicians worldwide. 

The film follows three mathematicians from India, Cameroon, and Brazil from their home institutions to the (WM)² international meeting, showing their research and what it’s like to be part of the global maths community.

Please indicate attendance for catering purposes by 5pm today

Teaching and Learning

Short stories 1 - the long number on the back of the card

A clip from James Maynard's public lecture about Sophie Germain

All the talks

Short stories 2 - Stéphanie

The importance of communication.

News From Elsewhere in the University

Science in the Age of Algorithms

Science in the Age of Algorithms: Rethinking Discovery in the AI Era

Participants:

  • Sendhil Mullainathan, Peter de Florez Professor of Economics & Computer Science, MIT (and Sanjaya Lall Visiting Professor, Oxford)
  • Sir Nigel Shadbolt, Principal of Jesus College and Professor of Computer Science, Oxford
  • Dr Raia Hadsell, VP of Research, Google DeepMind
  • Chair: Professor Johannes Abeler, Professor & Head of Economics Department, Oxford

5 pm, 19 May, Andrew Wiles Building

Register

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Anti-Racism Ally Network

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The Anti-Racism Ally Network runs a range of events across the term as well as having a MS Teams discussion channel, which all are most welcome to join.

Today's event: Faculty of Law Annual EDI Lecture 2025-26: Racial Justice in the Age of Algorithmic Governance - Ngozi Okidegbe (Boston University)

Friday 8 May 2026, 17:00 - 18:20, Manor Road Building Lecture Theatre, Manor Road, OX1 3UQ

Register

News From the Wider Mathematical Community

Active bystander training

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The Knowledge Exchange Hub for the Mathematical Sciences has commissioned the award winning Active Bystander Training Company to deliver a focused, practical session designed to empower our community to challenge unacceptable behaviours — including those that may have become normalised over time.

Wednesday 20 May, 10:00 am - 11:30 am. Online and free

Register and more information

For Early Career Researchers

PI Focus Groups – Employment Approaches Project

Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner

The Employment Approaches Project is running further PI focus groups to explore employment options for research-funded staff on fixed-term contracts. The remaining focus group dates are Wednesday, 20th May and Thursday, 21st May, both in person at the Life and Mind Building. PI input will help shape future policy and practice. If you’re interested in participating, please complete this registration form: PI Focus Group Sign-Up Form.

Image: Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner

Other News

Song of the Week: Sergei Prokoviev - Peter and the Wolf: The Story Begins

It was tempting to include the whole of Prokoviev's symphonic tale for children based on a Russian folktale, but there's things to do, so I won't keep you children. David Bowie is our rather good narrator here alongside the The Philadelphia Orchestra.