Mon, 16 Feb 2026

16:30 - 17:30
L4

A finite-volume scheme for aggregation-diffusion equations with non-linear mobility

David Gomez-Castro
(UAM)
Abstract

The aim of this talk is to discuss a finite-volume scheme for the aggregation-diffusion family of equations with non-linear mobility
∂tρ = ∇ · (m(ρ)∇(U′(ρ) + V + W ∗ ρ)) in bounded domains with no-flux conditions. We will present basic properties of the scheme: existence, decay of a free, and comparison principle (where applicable); and a convergence-by-compactness result for the saturation case where m(0) = m(1) = 0, under general assumptions on m,U, V , and W. The results are joint works published in [1, 2]. At the end of the talk, we will discuss an extension to the Porous-Medium Equation with non-local pressure that corresponds to m(ρ) = ρm, U, V = 0 and W(x) = c|x|^−d−2s.

This project is joint work with Jose Carrillo (University of Oxford). 
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Mon, 09 Feb 2026

16:30 - 17:30
L4

Scattering and Asymptotics for Critically Weakly Hyperbolic and Singular Systems

Dr. Arick Shao
(Queen Mary University of London)
Abstract

We study a very general class of first-order linear hyperbolic
systems that both become weakly hyperbolic and contain singular
lower-order coefficients at a single time t = 0. In "critical" weakly
hyperbolic settings, it is well-known that solutions lose a finite
amount of regularity at t = 0. Here, we both improve upon the analysis
in the weakly hyperbolic setting, and we extend this analysis to systems
containing critically singular coefficients, which may also exhibit
modified asymptotics and regularity loss at t = 0.

In particular, we give precise quantifications for (1) the asymptotics
of solutions as t approaches 0, (2) the scattering problem of solving
the system with asymptotic data at t = 0, and (3) the loss of regularity
due to the degeneracies at t = 0. Finally, we discuss a wide range of
applications for these results, including weakly hyperbolic wave
equations (and equations of higher order), as well as equations arising
from relativity and cosmology (e.g. at big bang singularities).

This is joint work with Bolys Sabitbek (Ghent).

Tue, 04 Nov 2025

14:00 - 15:00
L4

Is there geometry in totally discrete spaces?

Nati Linial
(Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
Abstract

Even in a totally discrete space $X$ you need to know how to move between distinct points. A path $P_{x,y}$ between two points $x,y \in X$ is a sequence of points in $X$ that starts with $x$ and ends with $y$. A path system is a collection of paths $P_{x,y}$, one per each pair of distinct points $x, y$ in $X$. We restrict ourselves to the undirected case where $P_{y,x}$ is $P_{x,y}$ in reverse.

Strictly metrical path systems are ubiquitous. They are defined as follows: There is some spanning, connected graph $(X, E)$ with positive edge weights $w(e)$ for all $e\in E$ and $P_{x,y}$ is the unique $w$-shortest $xy$ path. A metrical path system is defined likewise, but $w$-shortest paths need not be unique. Even more generally, a path system is called consistent  (no $w$ is involved here) if it satisfies the condition that when point $z$ is in $P_{x,y}$, then $P_{x,y}$ is $P_{x,z}$ concatenated with $P_{z,y}$. These three categories of path systems are quite different from each other and in our work we find quantitative ways to capture these differences.

Joint work with Daniel Cizma.

Mon, 10 Nov 2025

16:30 - 17:30
L4

Phase mixing for the Vlasov equation in cosmology

Prof Martin Taylor
(Imperial)
Abstract

The Friedmann--Lemaitre--Robertson--Walker family of spacetimes are the standard homogenous isotropic cosmological models in general relativity.  Each member of this family describes a torus, evolving from a big bang singularity and expanding indefinitely to the future, with expansion rate encoded by a suitable scale factor.  I will discuss a mixing effect which occurs for the Vlasov equation on these spacetimes when the expansion rate is suitably slow.

 This is joint work with Renato Velozo Ruiz (Imperial College London).

Tue, 28 Oct 2025

14:00 - 15:00
L4

Erdős–Hajnal and VC-dimension

Tung Nguyen
(University of Oxford)
Abstract

A 1977 conjecture of Erdős and Hajnal asserts that for every hereditary class of graphs not containing all graphs, every graph in the class has a polynomial-sized clique or stable set. Fox, Pach, and Suk and independently Chernikov, Starchenko, and Thomas asked whether this conjecture holds for every class of graphs of bounded VC-dimension. In joint work with Alex Scott and Paul Seymour, we resolved this question in the affirmative. The talk will introduce the Erdős–Hajnal conjecture and discuss some ideas behind the proof of the bounded VC-dimension case.

Mon, 03 Nov 2025

16:30 - 17:30
L4

Rigidity in the Ginzburg–Landau equation from S2 to S2

Matilde Gianocca
(ETH Zurich)
Abstract

The Ginzburg–Landau energy is often used to approximate the Dirichlet energy. As the perturbation parameter tends to zero, critical points of the Ginzburg–Landau energy converge, in an appropriate (bubbling) sense, to harmonic maps. In this talk I will first explain key analytical properties of this approximation procedure, then show that not every harmonic map can be approximated in this way. This is based on a rigidity theorem: under the energy threshold of 8pi, we classify all solutions of the associated nonlinear elliptic system from S2 to S2, thereby identifying exactly which harmonic maps can arise as Ginzburg–Landau limits in this regime.

Mon, 02 Feb 2026

17:00 - 18:00
L4

Mean-field limits of non-exchangeable interacting diffusions on co-evolutionary networks

Prof. David Poyato
(University of Granada)
Abstract
Multi-agent systems are ubiquitous in Science, and they can be regarded as large systems of interacting particles with the ability to generate large-scale self-organized structures from simple local interactions rules between each agent and its neighbors. Since the size of the system is typically huge, an important question is to connect the microscopic and macroscopic scales in terms of mean-field limits, which is a fundamental problem in Physics and Mathematics closely related to Hilbert Sixth Problem. In most real-life applications, the communication between agents is not based on uniform all-to-all couplings, but on highly heterogeneous connections, and this makes agents distinguishable. However, the classical strategies based on mean-field limits are strongly based on the crucial assumption that agents are indistinguishable, and it therefore does not apply to our distinguishable setting, so that we need substantially new ideas.
 
In this talk I will present a recent work about the rigorous derivation of the mean-field limit for systems of non-exchangeable interacting diffusions on co-evolutionary networks. While previous research has primarily addressed continuum limits or systems with linear weight dynamics, our work overcomes these restrictions. The main challenge arises from the coupling between the network weight dynamics and the agents' states, which results in a non-Markovian dynamics where the system’s future depends on its entire history. Consequently, the mean-field limit is not described by a partial differential equation, but by a system of non-Markovian stochastic integrodifferential equations. A second difficulty stems from the non-linear weight dynamics, which requires a careful choice for the limiting network structure. Due to the limitations of the classical theory of graphons (Lovász and Szegedy, 2006) in handling non-linearities, we employ K-graphons (Lovász and Szegedy, 2010), also termed probability-graphons (Abraham, Delmas, and Weibel, 2025). This framework pro seems to provide a natural topology that is compatible with such non-linearities.
 
This is a joint work with Julián Cabrera-Nyst (University of Granada).
Wed, 12 Nov 2025

11:00 - 13:00
L4

2d Sinh-Gordon model on the infinite cylinder

Trishen Gunaratnam
(Tata Institute for Fundamental Research)
Abstract

The 2d (massless) Sinh-Gordon model is amongst the simplest 2d quantum field theories that are expected to be integrable (= infinitely many symmetries), but without conformal symmetry. In this talk I will explain a rigorous construction of this model and its vertex correlations (= Laplace transforms) on the infinite cylinder using probability theory. A fundamental role is played by the Sinh-Gordon Hamiltonian and I will explain how the theory of Gaussian multiplicative chaos can be used to analyze this linear map. This talk will be based on joint work with Colin Guillarmou and Vincent Vargas.

Wed, 05 Nov 2025
11:00
L4

Coming up from $-\infty$ for KPZ via stochastic control

Carlos Villanueva Mariz
(Free University Berlin)
Abstract

We derive a lower bound, independent of the initial condition, for the solution of the KPZ equation on the torus, using its representation as the value function of a stochastic control problem.

With the same techniques we also prove a bound for its oscillation, again independent of initial conditions, which is related to Harnack's inequality for the (rough) heat equation.

 

Wed, 03 Dec 2025
11:00
L4

What future for mathematics?

Ivan Nourdin
(University of Luxembourg)
Abstract

In this talk, we will explore the emerging role of generative AI in mathematical research. Building on insights from the “Malliavin–Stein experiment”, carried out in collaboration with Charles-Philippe Diez and Luis Da Maia, we will discuss our experience and reflect on how AI might influence the way mathematics is conceived, proven, and created.

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