Fri, 15 May 2026
13:00
L4

Geometry and excluded-volume effects in particle systems

Maria Bruna
(Oxford University)
Abstract

I will discuss stochastic systems of interacting particles with non-overlapping constraints, which give rise to so-called excluded-volume interactions. The aim is to derive effective macroscopic equations governing the evolution of particle densities from the underlying microscopic dynamics. When particles possess nontrivial size or shape, geometric constraints become essential: they complicate the coarse-graining process and strongly influence the emergent behaviour of the system. I will present two representative examples, hard spheres and infinitely thin needles, highlighting how geometry enters the macroscopic description

Unified framework for the ingestion of early epidemic data for downstream data analytics
Kamau, E Kelly, S Darji, D Baidjoe, A Brownstein, J Campbell, F Dasgupta, A Degail, M Demidova, A Ferretti, L Han, A Koyie, S Ngamala, P Polain, O Rojek, A Sauer, J Scarpino, S Sewalk, K Sopko, J Zakrzewski, S Merson, L Kraemer, M Wellcome Open Research volume 10 524-524 (08 May 2026)
Mon, 18 May 2026
16:30
L5

Algebraic type theory 

Steve Awodey
(Carnegie Mellon University)
Abstract
A representable natural transformation u : U* —> U in the category Psh(C) of presheaves on a small category C is a “natural model" of dependent type theory. The type-forming operations may be described as an algebraic structure on u, representing corresponding operations on the type-families classified by u. For example, the dependent product or “Pi-type” is an algebra structure for the polynomial endofunctor
 
P_u : Psh(C) —> Psh(C) .
 
Similar operations on u represent the other type-formers of unit type, dependent sums, and identity types. The latter are given by a recently determined “path-type” structure, which relates such models to cubical (Quillen) model categories.
Flow interactions and forward flight dynamics of tandem flapping wings
Fang, F Mavroyiakoumou, C Ristroph, L Shelley, M Journal of Fluid Mechanics volume 1034 (08 May 2026)

We are very pleased to announce that the annual Awards for Excellence scheme is now open. The scheme enables the department to recognise exceptional performance during the period April 2025 – April 2026 with a monetary award.

‘Exceptional performance’ is classed as:

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