48 outstanding mathematicians from across Australasia and Southeast Asia recently gathered in Brisbane to research, network and collaborate at the 20th AMSI Winter School.
Held from 6 to 17 July 2026, the milestone edition saw the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) team up with the University of Queensland (UQ) to delve into the fascinating world of geometric analysis.
Geometric analysis is a vibrant and rapidly evolving space in mathematics. It lies at the intersection of differential geometry, global analysis, differential equations, and mathematical physics. AMSI believes that recent advances in the discipline, particularly around Ricci flow, geometric measure theory, and nonlinear PDEs underscored the need for this year’s Winter School to focus on the discipline.
Attended by UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Deborah Terry AC, the opening ceremony featured a pictorial presentation showcasing highlights from previous AMSI Winter Schools. The opener was also an opportunity for former organisers to come together and enjoy a trip down memory lane.
Academics
Winter School teaching sessions were led by some of the finest minds in geometric analysis. Lecturers who taught at the event included Prof. Dr Christoph Böhm (University of Münster, Germany), Prof. Song Sun (Zhejiang University, China), Assistant Prof. Jiewon Park (KAIST, Korea), and Associate Prof. Julie Clutterbuck (Monash University, Australia).
Public Lecture
The Winter School Public Lecture is a well-established highlight, and this year was no exception. Held in partnership with BrisScience and led by Dr Agnese Barbensi (UQ), the lecture, which is open to the general public, offered a stimulating introduction to the field of topology. Enthusiastically presented to a capacity audience at the 250-seat State Library of Queensland, Dr Barbensi offered an enjoyable and accessible introduction to “space and shape in its most basic form.”
Attendees
2026’s program welcomed a diverse cohort, with student representation from seven countries including Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Korea, and the Philippines.
Students and early-career researchers from Southeast Asia and the Pacific were supported by a tranche of travel bursaries courtesy of the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences (ICMS) in Scotland.
Participant Talks
To encourage the sharing of research and building of networks, Participant Talks were held where mathematicians discussed their research or thesis topic over a 10-minute slot. With $400 in prizes up for grabs, the Talks were hotly contested. Thomas Tawfik from the University of Otago, New Zealand won the overall prize while Henry Wood from UQ took the runner-up position.
Participant Talk overall prizewinner Thomas Tawfilk (University of Otago) with Event Director Ramiro Lafuente (UQ)
School activities went beyond mathematics. Attendees enjoyed opportunities to become acquainted outside of class thanks to light-hearted conference dinners, catered breaks, pitch nights, icebreakers, game activities and free nights to explore Brisbane. Students also bonded over their mutual research interests and the ongoing World Cup coverage.
As the program drew to a close, it was evident that participants had not just enhanced their mathematical skillset but had built friendships that will go far beyond their academic endeavours. Anna Muscara, AMSI Acting Program Manager for Research & Higher Education, highlighted the importance of the event as a place for researchers to share ideas “In a field of study that can be isolating, AMSI is proud to have Winter School in our suite of flagship events. Since 2004, the event has helped to build a community of emerging researchers while building Australia’s capability in the mathematical sciences”
Event Director Associate Professor Ramiro Lafuente (UQ) added, “Since its inception in 2005, Winter School has played a vital role in developing the next generation of mathematical scientists by providing graduate-level training in emerging research areas while strengthening the national mathematical sciences community. The 2026 program was particularly successful, attracting strong participation from across Australia and overseas (thanks to a generous grant from ICMS). The students’ response and the breadth and depth of interactions among them and with the lecturers reflected the continuing importance of these initiatives in sustaining Australia’s mathematics research pipelines and fostering future collaborations.”
About
AMSI Winter School is an annual two-week event designed for postgraduate students, early-career researchers and industry professionals in the mathematical sciences and related disciplines.
View our full AMSI Winter School album below:
Media Enquiries:
Robbie Byrne
Marketing, Communications and Events Coordinator, AMSI
robbie.byrne@amsi.org.au
