Global mathematics histories and futures

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…

This workshop aims to expand the celebrated effectiveness of mathematics, through –

• a diversity of people in mathematics,
• a broader cultural diversity of mathematics in mathematics,
• global histories, evolution and transmission of mathematical knowledge,
• non-Western and First Nations mathematical knowledges.
• decolonisation of undergraduate courses in mathematical sciences,
• unprecedented ethical issues, the potential and risks of AI in mathematics education and research.

The program of this research workshop and winter school may include keynote speakers on mathematics histories and the frontiers and futures of their research, expert lectures on diverse mathematical topics of broad interest, and moderated discussion sessions.

Target participants include mathematics research students, early career researchers, university educators and senior researchers, and industry practitioners. Minimum mathematics prerequisite is completion of first-year mathematics to high standard. Lectures and Keynotes will be pitched at 3-4th year undergraduate and beginning postgraduate levels. At least one public lecture will be given, accessible to a general audience.

This will be a fully accessible, friendly, informal and inclusive event. We welcome and value contributions from all participants.

Convenor

Rowena Ball (Australian National University)

This workshop is supported by AMSI and AustMS through the AMSI-AustMS Workshop Funding program.