Mathematical Institute Bulletin

Childcare Services is delighted to announce the opening of the University’s sixth nursery this Michaelmas term. Garden House Nursery, at 96-98 Woodstock Road, is a new 54-place nursery delivered in partnership with University College and operated by Kids Planet. View the full update on OxIntranet.

Ofsted registration has been granted and a limited number of baby places are available for the start of the academic year. A small number of preschool places are also currently available at our Woodstock Road and Triangle nurseries. Eligible parents can pay fees through salary sacrifice, and we accept the Government’s 30 hours funded childcare entitlement for eligible children (up to 30 hours per week for 38 weeks a year). Parents can check their eligibility using the Best Start in Life Childcare Checker. Visit Childcare Services for details on University childcare provision or email @email.

Image: Mary Cassatt - Children Playing on the Beach

Mathematical Institute, Monday 7 to Wednesday 9 September. 

This workshop will bring together graduate students and researchers in algebraic geometry. On Tuesday, 8 September, we will have a joint session with the CALF seminar (aimed at UK PhD students in algebraic geometry), featuring contributed talks by PhD students from both the UK and abroad. There will also be talks by postdocs and more senior researchers. 

Why not stop by? Everyone is welcome. More information

Image: Max Bill - Endless Ribbon Version IV

Apologies for mentioning the Odyssey (no, not the film), but what can Homer's oral masterpiece teach us about engaging with the general public about science?

Oh, it's such a perfect number. I want to count it with you.

All part of Robin Wilson's 18-part series on the equations that add up to mathematics.

PS: we would also like to apologise for a slip of the tongue at 1.17 when Robin says 2 to the n is prime when he obviously means 2 to the n-1. However, the graphic is correct. Admin has been sacked (by Admin).

In his second appearance of the day, mathematical biologist Jesús Ait Idir discusses life as a young research student.

ICMS, Edinburgh, 23-24 November 2026

The International Centre for Mathematical Sciences will host a Mathematics Communication Training workshop in Edinburgh on 23-24 November, in partnership with the Newton Gateway. This in-person two-day training will provide attendees with the skills to address challenges involved in communicating mathematics to different audiences. 

The workshop is aimed at PhD students and early career researchers. Attendance is free. The deadline for registration is 12pm on Monday 9 November.  

Find out more and register

Louis Thomas Hardin, better known as Moondog, was a blind avant-garde American musician who worked in a variety of genres including jazz and classical, invented a series of his own instruments, influenced a bunch of other composers including the American minimalists, made a lot of his living by begging and briefly appeared in a cloak and horned helmet (he loved Norse mythology) on Sixth Avenue in New York. 

But never mind that.