World-leading mathematicians gather to tackle major problems

Some of the world’s top mathematicians descended on the University of Essex from 10 countries for a four-week programme to tackle some of the field’s biggest challenges.

They came to the Colchester campus to tackle some of the toughest problems in pure mathematics, share ideas and build new international partnerships. 

The 48 researchers explored algebraic geometry and group theory, which underpin developments in computing, cryptography, artificial intelligence and data science.

Organisers Dr Alastair Litterick, Dr Jesus Martinez-Garcia and Dr Sema Güntürkün, from the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, ran the programme supported by a £100,000 Satellite Programme grant from the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge.

'Incredible privilege' 

Dr Litterick said, “It’s been an incredible privilege to host such a diverse array of renowned academics and promising early-career researchers on campus. 

“Sustained cross-disciplinary events like this are invaluable, we’ve seen collaborations form here that wouldn’t have happened any other way and I expect the results will be published in journals for years to come.”

The programme, which ran throughout July, also featured a knowledge-exchange day, Pure Maths in the Age of AI, in collaboration with the Newton Gateway to Mathematics. 

Researchers were connected with industry practitioners and policymakers, including representatives from Innovate UK Business Connect, the Alan Turing Institute and the UK Knowledge Exchange Hub for Mathematical Sciences. 

The day closed with a plenary lecture by Damian Collins OBE, former government Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy.

Organisational and scientific support was provided by distinguished researchers Professor Cheryl Praeger AC FAA, University of Western Australia; Professor Carolina Araujo, IMPA, Brazil; Professor Dame Frances Kirwan FRS, Oxford; and Professor Gerhard Röhrle, Ruhr-University Bochum.