Maths at the Museum, including 'A magic show' by Tadashi Tokieda
2026-03-14 12:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Sydney)
International Day of Mathematics 2026: Mathematics and Hope

Saturday March 14 from 12 – 4pmSunday March 15 from 12 – 4 pm

To celebrate International Day of Mathematics, SMRI presents our Maths at the Museum program, running at the Chau Chak Wing Museum (CCWM).

The official theme of the International Day of Mathematics in 2026 is “Mathematics and Hope”. Across the weekend we will explore mathematical concepts with talks, panels, children’s activities in our Maths Craft Room as well as A magic show by Tadashi Tokieda (Stanford University). This integrated program of interactive maths activities will run across the weekend, coinciding with the opening weekend of the Biennale at the Museum! Please check back as more events are added!

Activities

A magic show, by Tadashi Tokieda

12:30 – 1:30 pm (almost sold out) and 2:00 – 3:00 pm (New slot-booking fast!) both Saturday and Sunday

Tadashi Tokieda, Stanford University

A magic show should not steal its own thunder with an abstract, but this one is easy for curious children and difficult for seasoned scientists, and you can try it yourself afterwards on friends and family!

About the presenter: Tadashi Tokieda is a professor of mathematics at Stanford. He grew up as a painter in Japan, became a classical philologist (not to be confused with philosopher) and worked a little as a plumber in France and, after PhD in pure mathematics from Princeton, has been an applied mathematician around the world. He is active in outreach e.g. via the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences and the YouTube channel Numberphile; he gave public lectures at ICM 2018 and 2022, and is slated to speak again at ICM 2026.

This event is hosted by the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute as part of our program for International Day of Mathematics. The talk will be tailored to a general audience and suitable for all ages, from children to adults! This is a free event, however registration is essential.

‘A magic show’ registration

Maths craft activities (Saturday and Sunday 12 – 4 pm)

Get creative with a variety of maths craft activities – from making ‘origami fidget spinners’ to beautiful line art and much more, these activities use mathematical concepts to make interesting and beautiful works, many of which you can take home!

Make your own flexagon, and flexagon games!

Flexagons are like the fidget spinners of the origami world; constructed of folded paper, they reveal hidden faces when the paper is flexed.

Line art

Follow simple patterns to create colourful artwork using yarn or pen. This activity explores how you can use straight lines to form curves resulting in beautiful intricate designs.

3D Fractals

Fractals are mathematical objects built from repeated copies of themselves. Visitors will construct units that will then be combined to contribute to our large-scale Menger Sponge.

Weird mirrors

Use a variety of bendy and wacky mirrors to explore concepts such as symmetry, transformation and how to map a flat image onto a 3D object! Craft your own wacky mirror to take home.

Key event details

Date & time:

Saturday 14 March & Sunday 15 March 2026

12 pm – 4 pm

Cost:

Free

Location:

The Chau Chak Wing Museum

University of Sydney, Camperdown Campus

'Pure mathematics as applied physics' - A special International Day of Mathematics Colloquium (2/2) by Tadashi Tokieda
2026-03-16 14:00 - 15:00
Humans tend to be better at physics than at mathematics. When an apple falls from a tree, there are more people who can catch it — they sense physically how the apple moves — than people who can compute its trajectory from a differential equation. Applying physical ideas to discover and explain mathematical results is therefore natural, even if it has seldom been tried in the history of science. The exceptions include Archimedes, some old Russian sources, a recent book of Mark Levi’s, as well as articles and lectures by yours truly. Many examples will be presented.

This event is part of a series of 2 colloquia for International Day of Mathematics (Colloquium 1: Irrational ways of manufacturing numbers). For catering purposes, we would appreciate your registration if you intend to attend one or both events.

Registration

Tadashi Tokieda, Stanford University

Tadashi Tokieda is a professor of mathematics at Stanford. He grew up in Japan as a painter, became a classical philologist (not to be confused with philosopher) in France, worked a little as a plumber, before earning a PhD in pure mathematics from Princeton then practicing applied mathematics throughout the world. Active in outreach, especially via the YouTube channel Numberphile and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, he gave public lectures at the quadrennial International Congress of Mathematicians 2018, 2022, and is slated to speak again at the ICM 2026.

Key event details

Date & time:

Monday 16 March 2026

Seminar: 2 — 3 pm

Afternoon tea 3 pm — 4 pm

Cost:

This is a free event

Location:

A11.01.101.Edgeworth David Building, Old Geology Lecture Theatre

University of Sydney, Camperdown Campus

Celebrating Women in Mathematics
2026-05-12 17:00 - 19:00
#May12 #WomenInMaths #May12WIM

Join us for an evening celebrating women in mathematics here at the University of Sydney. All welcome.Featuring talks from: Neda Khodabakhsh JonianiNalini JoshiMadeline NurcombePratibha PanwarAnd a special screening: Je suis Sophie Germain

Talk details:

‘Mathematical Modelling of Corneal Epithelial Cells’Neda Khodabakhsh Joniani

Abstract: The corneal epithelium is a self-renewing, multilayered tissue maintained by limbal epithelial stem cells and the coordinated migration of their progeny; however, the principles governing its stratification remain poorly understood.

In this talk, I present a mathematical framework based on a Voronoi cell-based model that captures epithelial dynamics through mechanical interactions, cell proliferation, and vertical migration. I will further introduce a multi-layer extension of the model and discuss its implications for understanding wound healing dynamics.

About the speaker: Neda is a PhD student in Applied Mathematics (Mathematical Biology), focusing on mathematical modelling of corneal epithelial cells. She is passionate about bridging theoretical mathematics with real-world biological applications, including conducting experiments and capturing microscopy images for my project. She also works as a Postgraduate Teaching Fellow in the School of Mathematics and Statistics and as a Learning Success Advisor at the Learning Hub (Mathematics). Outside academia, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her twins.

‘The Hidden Lives of Polynomials’Nalini Joshi

Abstract: Polynomials are the simplest building blocks for modelling our world. But there exist other useful functions, called transcendental or special, that can never satisfy any polynomial equation. Nevertheless, we can construct many of such functions from hidden properties of polynomials. I will describe how to deduce some of the most compelling transcendental functions today, how they are related to reflection groups, and how we see polynomials again in their solutions.

About the speaker: Nalini spent much of her early life on army bases in far flung corners of Burma (Myanmar). She fell in love with science after moving to Australia as a child and studied mathematics at the University of Sydney before completing a PhD at Princeton University. She is the first woman to ever be appointed a Professor of mathematical sciences at the University of Sydney.

‘Lattice loop models and diagram algebras’Madeline Nurcombe

Abstract: Statistical mechanics is a branch of physics that aims to understand the behaviour of large systems of interacting particles. Many systems of interest, from the atoms of a magnet to the long stringy molecules of a polymer, can modelled as grid-like structures called lattices. Long-distance interactions in a lattice are often computationally infeasible to study, but lattice loop models offer a tractable approach to this, where the underlying mathematics can be described by diagram algebras: a fun pictorial tool where we multiply stringy, loopy diagrams by gluing them to each other.

About the speaker: Madeline is a postdoc in mathematical physics, working on Lie superalgebra representation theory, diagram algebras and integrable lattice models. She completed her PhD and undergraduate studies at the University of Queensland. Outside of maths, she plays piano and chess, and loves science fiction.

‘Spatially-aware clustering with ClustSIGNAL’Pratibha Panwar

Abstract: High-resolution spatial transcriptomics technologies allow us to measure gene expression and spatial location at single-cell resolution, providing the opportunity to investigate cell organisation and interactions. However, the inherent high sparsity and noise of these datasets make it challenging to cluster cells into biologically meaningful groups for further analysis. In this talk, I will discuss the key concepts and implementation of a spatially-aware clustering framework that integrates expression and spatial information to perform adaptive smoothing of cells guided by their local neighbourhood heterogeneity.

About the speaker: Pratibha is a bioinformatician working on single-cell and spatial transcriptomics data. She completed her PhD at the University of New South Wales, where she investigated the impact of climate change on Antarctic microbial communities. Her current research interests include developing and applying computational tools to gain biological insights into cellular organisation in diseased tissues.

Catering and light refreshments will be provided, please register here for catering purposes.For event enquiries, please contact smri.comms@sydney.edu.au.

Registration

Key event details

Date & time:

Tuesday 12 May 2026

5 pm — 7 pm

Cost:

This is a free event

Location:

The Quad Seminar Room S421 (A13.04.S421)

University of Sydney, Camperdown Campus

Australian Probability Conference 2026
2026-06-22 09:00 - 2026-06-25 09:00
The Australian Probability Conference 2026 will bring together researchers in probability, stochastic processes, mathematical statistics, and their applications. We particularly encourage participation from HDR students and early career researchers.

Location:University of Queensland

Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia
2026-07-06 09:00 - 2026-07-10 09:00
[NSW] We are excited to confirm the announcement that MERGA48 will be hosted by Western Sydney University on their beautiful Paramatta South Campus, chaired by Prof Catherine Attard, from Monday 6 to Friday 10 July 2026 (note change from usual Sunday start).
Please enjoy this welcome video showcasing Western Sydney University in the lead up to the 2026 conference.
Location:Parramatta, Sydney

AMSI Winter School 2026 on Geometric Analysis
2026-07-06 09:00 - 2026-07-17 09:00
[QLD] AMSI Winter School is an advanced training program for postgraduate students, early-career researchers, and industry professionals held annually around a central theme selected from emerging national and global research priorities in the mathematical sciences. Each two-week program provides a scaffolded, graduate-accessible introduction to current research developments, delivered by leading national and international experts
To enhance the experience, a variety of supplementary activities—including social events, specialised lectures, participant presentations, and problem sessions—will be included in the program, fostering networking and collaboration among attendees.
The 2026 AMSI Winter School will be held from 6–17 July 2026 at The University of Queensland, Brisbane, and delivered in hybrid format to enable both in-person and online participation. The school will focus on Geometric Analysis, a field at the intersection of differential geometry and partial differential equations.
Location:The University of Queensland

AI Safety Forum 2026
2026-07-07 09:00 - 2026-07-08 09:00
[NSW] Join us for this two-day interdisciplinary forum grounded in the science of AI safety as explored in the International AI Safety Report, as we bring together people from across research, government, industry and civil society to shape Australia’s role in AI safety.
Location:The University of Sydney

Algebraic Geometry in Melbourne
2026-07-08 09:00 - 2026-07-10 09:00
[VIC] Algebraic Geometry Workshop
Location: University of Melbourne

Twelfth International Conference on Teaching Statistics - ICOTS 12
2026-07-12 09:00 - 2026-07-17 09:00
[QLD] ICOTS is held every four years around the world, and is the most important event in the statistics and data education calendar. For the first time ICOTS is being held in Australia at the beautiful Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in its vibrant South Bank precinct.
The rich ICOTS 12 Programme features renowned keynotes, including Sir Peter Donnelly, international and national presentations, panels and debates relevant across school, tertiary and workplaces on cutting edge developments incorporating AI, simulation, visualisation, open data, and ethics in diverse teaching contexts of importance to all, including health, life sciences, climate, policy, social justice, media, engineering.
Panels and late-breaking sessions include* WMFM? (What’s my fitted model?) – if AI can do this then what should we do?* Should there be a statistics and data science senior school subject?* LLMs (Large Lecture Motivations) in the age of LLMs (Large Language Models)* Out-of-field teaching and statistics
The dinner speaker is the legendary Antony Green, who is also giving a conference paper. The opening ceremony on Sunday evening includes a Vice-Chancellors’ panel on Developing students’ evidence-based thinking for an AI world.
Location:Brisbane

Dynamics and Number Theory
2026-07-17 09:00 - 2026-07-19 09:00
[NSW] The event will bring together leading dynamicists and number theorists from both Australia and overseas to explore recent advances at the intersection of their fields. The conference will highlight cutting-edge developments in Diophantine approximation, homogeneous dynamics, and algebraic dynamical systems—areas that have seen rapid progress through deep conceptual interplay. It will also showcase the impact of modern dynamical methods on longstanding problems in analytic number theory and Ramsey theory. By creating a platform for active exchange, the event will foster new collaborations and expose Australian researchers and students to powerful tools and perspectives shaping the future of these mathematical disciplines.
This workshop is supported by AMSI and AustMS through the AMSI-AustMS Workshop Funding program, and benefits from the SMRI International Visitor Program.
Location:University of Sydney

Global mathematics histories and futures
2026-07-20 09:00 - 2026-07-24 09:00
[ACT] What can the histories of mathematics from all societies worldwide tell us about mathematics we may need to tackle 21st century global problems? This workshop aims to bring together cross-cultural, historical, and frontier mathematical knowledge.
What are the greatest mathematical challenges for humanity? In 1959 ‘the unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics’ was contemplated by Wigner as ‘a wonderful gift which we neither understand nor deserve’, the wonder being that mathematics is so powerful in describing and predicting observed behaviours of the physical and even the biological and social worlds. Sixty-five years later, those worlds are beset by even worse problems that are unprecedented in kind or in scale and global reach. Global climate warming, wildfires, the despairing, seemingly endless, cycles of regional wars that humanity seems locked into, the rise of the far right and authoritarianism, pandemics, the intractable biases of tech, microplastics pollution…
Location:ANU, Canberra

Sydney TCS Winter School 2026: Interactive Proofs and PCP Theorem
2026-07-22 09:00 - 2026-07-24 09:00
[NSW] This 3-day intensive winter school will cover and discuss two fundamental results in computational complexity, which redefined the way we think about proofs, and led to a plethora of new research directions, results, and insights.
The IP=SPACE Theorem (the power of interaction)
The PCP Theorem (the power of randomization)
Location:University of Sydney, Computer Science Building (J12), Lecture Theatre 123

Optimal Transport: Mini-Course and Mini-Workshop
2026-08-03 09:00 - 2026-08-05 09:00
[NSW] The three-day research event combines a mini-course and a min-workshop on optimal transport. It aims to provide a welcoming and inclusive platform for presenting research, fostering collaboration, and inspiring new research directions among participants.
The event is supported by the School of Mathematics and Statistics and the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute (SMRI)
All staff, students, and anyone interested in optimal transport are warmly invited to attend, with a particular emphasis on encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Location:The University of Sydney

Number Theory Down Under 14
2026-08-31 09:00 - 2026-09-04 09:00
[ACT] Number Theory Down Under (NTDU) 14 will be held at UNSW Canberra City Campus from 31 August – 4 September 2026, bringing together the Australian and international number theory community for plenary talks, contributed talks and discussions.Number Theory Down Under (NTDU) is an annual series of meetings held across Australia and New Zealand, showcasing current research in number theory and its applications.NTDU 14 at UNSW Canberra City Campus continues this tradition with a focus on analytic and algebraic number theory, arithmetic geometry, and related fields, welcoming both local and international participants.
Location:UNSW Canberra City Campus

JARCS - The Japanese-Australian Workshop on Real and Complex Singularities
2026-09-28 09:00 - 2026-10-01 09:00
[NSW] The Japanese–Australian Workshop on Real and Complex Singularities
Location: The University of Sydney

JARCS 2026
2026-09-28 09:00 - 2026-10-01 09:00
The JARCS series has been held biennially since 2005, focusing on research in real and
complex singularities. After a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it resumed in 2024.

We dedicate the 2026 workshop to the memory of Tzee-Char Kuo.

Location:The Quad Seminar Room S418 (McRae)

Workshop on Elliptic Curves
2026-10-01 09:00 - 2026-10-02 09:00
[NSW] This two-days workshop will be held at the University of Sydney, with purpose to gather researchers interested in various aspects of elliptic curves.

Location: Sydney

Three Days on Geometry, Physics, and Inverse Problems
2026-11-09 09:00 - 2026-11-11 09:00
[VIC] This workshop brings together researchers who are interested in geometric analysis and its applications to physics or inverse problems
Location:Melbourne

Algebra Down Under(10th Australian Algebra Conference)
2026-11-16 09:00 - 2026-11-20 09:00
[NSW] Algebra Down Under 2026 (the 10th Australian Algebra Conference) will be held at Western Sydney University’s Parramatta South Campus from 16–20 November 2026. The conference will bring together researchers from Australia and around the world working in algebra and related areas, including group theory, representation theory, ring theory, semigroup theory, category theory, algebraic geometry, combinatorics, and semigroup theory. The program will feature plenary lectures, invited talks, and contributed presentations. Researchers, early-career academics, and postgraduate students are warmly encouraged to attend.
Further information, including registration details and speaker announcements, can be found at:https://adu2027.github.io/10thaac/
Location:Western Sydney University, Parramatta South Campus, NSW, Australia

2026 WA Annual Maths Conference
2026-11-18 09:00 - 2026-11-20 09:00
[WA] The Mathematical Association of Western Australia is pleased to announce the 2026 WA Annual Maths Conference, taking place 18–20 November 2026 at the Crown Convention Centre Burswood.
With this year’s theme, Strong Foundations, Bold Futures!, the conference invites educators to reflect on the essential building blocks of mathematical understanding while embracing innovative practices that prepare students for a rapidly evolving world.
This three-day event will once again bring together educators from early childhood, primary, secondary and post-secondary settings to connect, collaborate and strengthen professional practice in mathematics education.
The conference provides an opportunity for K–12+ educators to share ideas, explore new approaches and challenge their own thinking in order to inspire richer learning experiences for students. Across the program, delegates will engage with practical strategies, emerging research and innovative teaching practices designed to spark curiosity, build confidence and nurture a deeper passion for mathematics in every classroom — reinforcing strong foundations while shaping bold futures for learners across Western Australia.
As always, the opening day will include sessions tailored for leaders, with a focus on empowering staff, supporting whole-school improvement and enriching the culture of maths learning within educational communities.
Further details, including keynote speakers and program highlights, will be announced soon. We look forward to welcoming you in November for three days of learning, inspiration and professional growth as we work together to shape the future of mathematics education in Western Australia.
Location:Crown Convention Centre Burswood, Western Australia

Groups Go West
2026-11-24 09:00 - 2026-11-26 09:00
[WA] Groups Go West will bring together national and international researchers working across the many different areas of group theory, including algorithmic, combinatorial, computational, geometric, homological, topological, and permutation group theory.
The event will feature invited talks each day by top national and international speakers, contributed talks including talks by students, as well as ample time for research discussions in the afternoons.
With a strong emphasis on interaction across different areas of specialisation and career stages, we hope to spark new collaborations and ideas, and attract new researchers, including students, to the field. The workshop thereby aims to enhance Australia’s significant group theory expertise.
Location: Perth WA

70th Annual Meeting of the AustMS
2026-12-01 09:00 - 2026-12-04 09:00
[WA] The 70th Annual Meeting of the Australian Mathematical Society,will be held from the 1st – 4th December 2026, at the stunning campus of the University of Western Australia in Perth.
Bringing together researchers, educators, students, and industry leaders from across Australia and around the world, AustMS 2026 is a celebration of mathematical discovery, collaboration, and impact. From fundamental theory to real-world applications, the conference showcases the depth and diversity of contemporary mathematical sciences.
Set against the unique backdrop of Western Australia, this year’s meeting offers an opportunity to connect across disciplines, exchange ideas, and explore new directions in mathematics.
Location:The University of Western Australia

48th Australasian Combinatorics Conference (48ACC)
2026-12-07 09:00 - 2026-12-11 09:00
[VIC] The 48th Australasian Combinatorics Conference (48ACC) will be held at Monash University in Melbourne on 7–11 December 2026. This is the annual meeting of the Combinatorial Mathematics Society of Australasia.
Location:Monash University, Clayton

CTAC2026
2026-12-08 09:00 - 2026-12-11 09:00
[NSW] The 23rd Biennial Computational Techniques and Applications Conference (CTAC2026) will be hosted and organised by the School of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, at the University of Sydney in partnership with ANZIAM, the Australian and New Zealand Industrial and Applied Mathematics Division of the Australian Mathematical Society.
The meeting will provide an interactive forum for researchers interested in the development and use of computational methods applied to engineering, scientific and other problems. The CTAC meetings have been taking place in Australia biennially since 1981, the most recent ones being held in 2024 at Monash University and in 2022 at QUT.They have been a major regular event in the community of computational mathematics in Australia.
Registrations are now open
Location:University of Sydney

FACETS 2027
2027-02-01 09:00 - 2027-02-26 09:00
[NSW] In February 2027 there will be a month long focus period: Forum on Artin and Coxeter group, Examples and Theory in Sydney. The month will begin with a week-long conference, followed by three weeks of research activities. For more information see the FACETS website.
Location:The University of Sydney

High-Dimensional Approximation (HDA) Conference 2027
2027-02-08 09:00 - 2027-02-12 09:00
The High-Dimensional Approximation (HDA) Workshop is a series of biennial international meetings covering current research on problems related to high-dimensional approximation. The previous workshops in the series were held at the Australian National University in Canberra (HDA 2005, HDA 2007, HDA 2013, and HDA 2023), at the University of New South Wales in Sydney (HDA 2009 and HDA 2017), at the ETH Zurich (HDA 2019), and at the University of Bonn (HDA 2011, HDA 2015, and HDA 2025).

The 11th Workshop (HDA 2027) on High-Dimensional Approximation covers a range of topics central to modern high-dimensional approximation and their applications. The workshop will provide an interactive forum for researchers interested in topics ranging from high-dimensional approximation theory over computational methods to engineering and scientific applications.

Location:University of Sydney
