See the calendar below for future seminars and events.
Following every Thursday seminar, attendees are welcome to come to one of our SMRI Afternoon Teas which take place on Thursday afternoons at 2pm on the Quadrangle Terrace, accessed through the entry in Quadrangle Lobby P and via the SMRI Common Room on level 4.
Upcoming and current events: seminars, workshops and courses
Public Lecture, ‘Artistic Mathematics: Truth and Beauty’ by Henry Segerman, Oklahoma State University- International Day of Mathematics 2025
Abstract: Dr Segerman will talk about his work in mathematical visualization: making accurate, effective, and beautiful pictures, models, and experiences of mathematical concepts. He will discuss what it is that makes a visualization compelling, and show many examples in the medium of 3D printing, as well as some work in virtual reality and spherical video.
Dr Segerman will also discuss his experiences in teaching a project-based class on 3D printing for mathematics students.
Biography: Henry Segerman’s research interests are in three-dimensional geometry and topology, and in mathematical art and visualization. In visualization he works in 3D printing, spherical video, virtual, and augmented reality. He is the author of the book “Visualizing Mathematics with 3D Printing”.
This will be a free event targeted to the general public, including interested school students. More details and registration.
International Day of Mathematics Events:
CCWM X SMRI present ‘Maths at the Museum’
The Chau Chak Wing Museum and the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute invite you to explore mathematics, art and creativity in a weekend of fun activities from Saturday 15th to Sunday 16th March, at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney. An integrated program of activities will run across the weekend, with artists, activities and performances.
Please note: this is a free event, however, there is a $5 booking fee for the Sound of Symmetry performance (Book Sound of Symmetry).
A Special UTS Seminar with Nalini Joshi, who will describe a new ARC Centre of Excellence proposal in Mathematics for Quantum Era Security and Trust (MathQuEST)
Speaker: Nalini Joshi, University of Sydney
Date & time: Wednesday 19th March, 2 pm
Location: UTS. CB07.02.025 (Green Lecture Theatre, Building 7 Level 2, one level below ground level, underneath Cornerstone Cafe, elevator to Level 2 from Level 3 at the back of the cafe).
Description of the Centre: The ARC Centre of Excellence in Mathematics for Quantum Era Security and Trust (MathQuEST) strives to build critical expertise to protect against the expected breakdown of cybersecurity protocols on quantum computers and build trust in artificial intelligence. Deep, untapped reservoirs of mathematical problems and structures will be mined to establish complexity foundations for security and create accelerated methods for AI. MathQuEST will assemble leading researchers from diverse disciplines to deliver a mathematically trained, technologically agile workforce, ensuring Australia’s preparedness for grand challenges arising from future quantum computers with dual-use impact across agriculture, defence, health and industry.
There are 3 themes:
Computation – addressing mathematical questions through computational advances
Security – post-quantum and quantum cryptography, public-key algorithms
Trust – privacy, data, quantum algorithms for searching at scale, ML and AI
SMRI Seminar- Tristan Buckmaster
Speaker: Tristan Buckmaster, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University
Date & time: Thursday 27th March, 1 pm
Location: SMRI Seminar Room (Macleay Building A12 Room 301)
Abstract: TBC
SMRI Seminar- Charlotte Chan
Speaker: Charlotte Chan, University of Michigan
Date & time: Thursday 3rd April, 1 pm
Location: SMRI Seminar Room (Macleay Building A12 Room 301)
Abstract: TBC
SMRI Seminar- Thomas Lam
Speaker: Thomas Lam, University of Michigan
Date & time: Thursday 10th April, 1 pm
Location: SMRI Seminar Room (Macleay Building A12 Room 301)
Abstract: TBC
Deligne-Lusztig Theory Learning Seminar
Details: In the spirit of the special semester on modern perspectives in representation theory, we are organising a learning seminar on Deligne-Lusztig theory.
Deligne and Lusztig (DL) gave a method to construct representation of reductive groups using l-adic cohomology, generalising parabolic induction. Later, this theory was used by Lusztig to find all representations of all finite simple groups of Lie type.
This seminar will focus on learning about the main ingredients and recipes to construct and describe these representations. Topics include reductive groups over finite fields, Frobenius maps, character theory, Harish-Chandra induction, l-adic cohomology, flag varieties, DL varieties, DL induction, character formulas, Lusztig series and more.
Dates & times: Wednesdays 10 am – 12 pm (lecture), followed by Wednesdays 1 pm – 2pm (exercise session). The first session, Wednesday 26th February, will be given by Charlotte Chan.
Location: SMRI Seminar Room (Macleay Building A12 Room 301)
Organisers: Tom Goertzen and Edmund Heng. Contact the organisers with any questions, or to join the mailing list.
Spaces, Functions and Numbers Seminar
Details: Welcome to Spaces, Functions and Numbers Seminar! This is a general-audience colloquium series for all members of the Sydney math community, including undergraduates at any level.
Dates & times: Tuesdays 4:30 pm – 6 pm AEST (in person talks), or 10 am – 11:30 am AEST (Zoom talks).
Location: In person events will run in the SMRI Seminar Room (Macleay Building A12 Room 301)
Organiser: June Park. Contact June with any questions, or to join the mailing list.
Modern Perspectives in Representation Theory: Special Semester 2025
Organizers: Charlotte Chan (University of Michigan), Thomas Lam (University of Michigan), and Geordie Williamson (University of Sydney)
A special semester on “Modern Perspectives in Representation Theory” at the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute from May 5 through June 13, 2025. As part of the program, special events are planned for Week 3, May 19 – 23, and a conference running in Week 5, June 2 – 6.