Fri, 26 Feb 2016

16:00 - 17:00
L1

Self-awareness, assertiveness & productive relationships

Alison Trinder and Dave Hewett
Abstract

Who are you?  What motivates you?  What's important to you?  How do you react to challenges and adversities?  In this session we will explore the power of self-awareness (understanding our own characters, values and motivations) and introduce assertiveness skills in the context of building positive and productive relationships (with colleagues, collaborators, students and others).

Fri, 19 Feb 2016

16:00 - 17:00
L1

North meets South Colloquium

Patrick Farrell + Yufei Zhao
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

Computing distinct solutions of differential equations -- Patrick Farrell

Abstract: TBA

Triangles and equations -- Yufei Zhao

Abstract: I will explain how tools in graph theory can be useful for understanding certain problems in additive combinatorics, in particular the existence of arithmetic progressions in sets of integers. 

Fri, 22 Jan 2016

16:00 - 17:00
L1

Scientific writing

Prof. Nick Trefethen
(Mathematical Institute, Oxford)
Abstract

Writing is a part of any career in science or mathematics. I will make some remarks about the role writing has played in my life and the role it might play in yours.

Thu, 30 Jun 2016

17:00 - 18:00
L1

Alison Etheridge - Modelling genes: the backwards and forwards of mathematical population genetics

Alison Etheridge
(Oxford University)
Abstract

How can we explain the patterns of genetic variation in the world around us? The genetic composition of a population can be changed by natural selection, mutation, mating, and other genetic, ecological and evolutionary mechanisms. How do they interact with one another, and what was their relative importance in shaping the patterns we see today

Whereas the pioneers of the field could only observe genetic variation indirectly, by looking at traits of individuals in a population, researchers today have direct access to DNA sequences. But making sense of this wealth of data presents a major scientific challenge and mathematical models play a decisive role. This lecture will distil our understanding into workable models and explore the remarkable power of simple mathematical caricatures in interrogating modern genetic data.

To book please email @email

Thu, 12 May 2016

16:30 - 18:00
L1

Marcus du Sautoy - What We Cannot Know

Marcus du Sautoy
(Oxford University)
Abstract

Science is giving us unprecedented insight into the big questions that have challenged humanity. Where did we come from? What is the ultimate destiny of the universe? What are the building blocks of the physical world? What is consciousness?

‘What We Cannot Know’ asks us to rein in this unbridled enthusiasm for the power of science. Are there limits to what we can discover about our physical universe? Are some regions of the future beyond the predictive powers of science and mathematics? Are there ideas so complex that they are beyond the conception of our finite human brains? Can brains even investigate themselves or does the analysis enter an infinite loop from which it is impossible to rescue itself? 

To coincide with the launch of his new book of the same title, Marcus du Sautoy will be answering (or not answering) those questions. He will also be signing copies of the book before and after the lecture.

To book please email @email

Tue, 26 Apr 2016

17:00 - 18:00
L1

Tadashi Tokieda - Toy Models

Tadashi Tokieda
(Cambridge)
Abstract

Would you like to come see some toys?

'Toys' here have a special sense: objects of daily life which you can find or make in minutes, yet which, if played with imaginatively reveal surprises that keep scientists puzzling for a while. We will see table-top demos of many such toys and visit some of the science that they open up. The common theme is singularity.

Tadashi Tokieda is the Director of Studies in Mathematics at Trinity Hall, Cambridge and the Poincaré Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Stanford.

To book please email @email

Wed, 06 Apr 2016

17:00 - 18:00
L1

Andrea Bertozzi - The Mathematics of Crime

Andrea Bertozzi
(UCLA)
Abstract
In the USA, law enforcement agencies have discovered that partnering with a team of mathematicians and social scientists from UCLA can help them determine where crime is likely to occur and so enable them to stop it before it happens.
 
In this lecture Andrea Bertozzi will tell the story behind her role on the UCLA team that developed a 'predictive policing' computer programme that zeros-in on areas that have the highest probability of crime. She will also discuss how mathematics play an increasing role in studying crime, especially gang crime. 

 

To book please email @email

Tue, 01 Dec 2015
15:00
L1

Data Assimilation for Weather Forecasting: Reducing the Curse of Dimensionality

Professor Philippe Toint
(University of Namur)
Abstract
Weather prediction and, more generally, data assimilation in earth sciences, set a significant computing challenge 
because the size of the problem involved is very large.  The talk discusses algorithmic aspects related to the numerical 
solution of such problems and, in particular, focusses on how the lower dimensionality of the (dual) observation space 
may be used to advantage for computing a primal solution.  This is achieved both by adapting the preconditioned 
conjugate gradient and trust-region algorithms to dual space and by reducing the dimensionality of the latter as much 
as possible using observation hierarchies.
 
 
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