Sydney Mathematical Research Institute (SMRI)

International Visitor Program - Sydney Mathematical Research Institute IVP August 2023 applications are due 8 August 2023, for July 2024–June 2025 visits (general applicants) & March 2024–June 2025 for Australian citizens/PR & NZ citizens.

The next round of our International Visitor Program is now open!

Math researchers from overseas, apply now to spend 4+ weeks working with new and existing collaborators here 🦘🌏

Aus researchers, please share: mathematical-research-institute.sydney.edu.au/internationa...

Due: 17 Feb 2026
#mathsky

YouTube video by Sydney Mathematical Research Institute - SMRI Gradient optimization methods: the benefits of instability

Gradient optimization methods: the benefits of instability — Peter Bartlett, UC Berkeley

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEgT...

#MathSky #SMRISeminar

Congratulations to @monsoon0.bsky.social, Geordie Williamson, @tillus.bsky.social, John Voight from the School of Mathematics at USyd, and the rest of the team, from other parts of university and beyond, for their ARC Centre of Excellence in Mathematics for Quantum Era Security and Trust!

When Emily walked into maths class at uni, there were only three women. Then something changed Before 2020, female enrolments in advanced mathematics at the University of Sydney were in decline. But an intervention transformed everything.

Check out today's article on A/Prof Zsuzsanna Dancso's amazing interventions to reverse the decline of women in advanced maths courses: www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw...

Great article from @sydmorningherald.bsky.social about how Zsuzsanna Dancso tackled a different kind of mathematical problem: how to keep women engaged with higher level math

www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw...

#mathsky

On in 30 minutes: Peter Bartlett - Gradient optimization methods: the benefits of instability
5:30 pm, Messel Lecture Theatre, (*new location!*) Sydney Nanosciences Hub, USYD

The MathQuEST team includes leading researchers from diverse disciplines to develop a mathematically trained, agile workforce. SMRI Director Geordie Williamson will co-lead the computation theme, while SMRI Executive Director Stephan Tillmann will be Deputy Director (Operations)

A key focus will be building the critical expertise needed to protect against the imminent breakdown of cybersecurity protocols by quantum computers - right here in Australia

Congratulations to Nalini Joshi @monsoon0.bsky.social
and team, who have been awarded $35m from the ARC to establish the ARC Centre of Excellence in Mathematics for Quantum Era Security and Trust (MathQuEST) #mathsky

🚨 #CentresOfExcellence #CE26 announcement:

❗️Outcomes announced publicly for ARC Centres of Excellence 2026❗️

See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/288

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YouTube video by Sydney Mathematical Research Institute - SMRI Is Dijkstra’s Algorithm Optimal?

Our special Basser-SMRI Seminar with
@sydneycompsci.bsky.social
is now on YouTube:

Is Dijkstra’s Algorithm Optimal? — Robert Tarjan, Princeton University

youtu.be/Pc40q0JGdjc

Moti Yung at the lectern

Bob Tarjan at the lectern

Wonderful turnout and enthusiasm this week for #ComputerScience, with packed rooms for Bob Tarjan and Moti Yung's Basser seminars! #USyd

What's On Calendar - Sydney Mathematical Research Institute View seminars at the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute, including SMRI Algebra and Geometry Online & Applied Maths seminars.

A short course by SMRI visitor Yunwen Lei (University of Hong Kong) - Statistical Learning Theory - kicks off today

More details:
mathematical-research-institute.sydney.edu.au/seminars/

#MathSky

Just one more week until applications for the International Visitor Program at SMRI open again!

Join us for 4 weeks at our mathematical hub in Sydney to collaborate with researchers based all around Australia 🌏🐨

#MathSky

Join us for a special talk by Peter Bartlett (UC Berkeley), part of the focus period 'Mathematical Science for AI Safety' currently running at SMRI

'Gradient optimization methods: the benefits of instability'

5:30 pm, Wednesday 10th December 2025
Old Geology Lecture Theatre, USYD
#MathSky

YouTube video by Sydney Mathematical Research Institute - SMRI Mathematical Science of AI: Interview of Marcus Hutter and Cole Wyeth by Daniel Murfet

The latest SMRI interview captures some of the discussions behind the focus period, 'Mathematical Science of AI Safety' -
Dan Murfet interviews Marcus Hutter and & Cole Wyeth, catch up below
👇
youtu.be/tgKaGiI6Ogc
#MathSky #AISafety

Woman or gender minority curious about the mathematics of waves? 🌊👋
Keen to spend a life-changing week at Princeton IAS this May, for a lecture series on "Waves, Wave Packets, and Their Interactions"?

Good news! Apply by ⏰ Feb 6 for the Women and Mathematics program! www.ias.edu/math/wam/wam...

Bob Tarjan, at the lectern, in front of a slide titled "Observations" about theoretical computer science research

The one and only Bob Tarjan, delivering a lecture at #USyd to a packed auditorium, in a joint SMRI/Computer Science seminar!
@sydmathinst.bsky.social @sydneycompsci.bsky.social

bart simpson is looking at a globe while talking on a phone Alt: Bart Simpson is looking at a globe while talking on a phone, making it spin until it stops, with Bart's finger on Australia

Exactly two weeks until #FOCS2025! The schedule is up, the sun is high, the workshops primed. Social activities: to be announced in the coming week.

See you in a fortnight!

Happening today - Robert Tarjan, 'Is Dijkstra's Algorithm Optimal?' No need to register, please come along, 2 pm, at the Quad General Lecture Theatre, University of Sydney @sydneycompsci.bsky.social

The deadline is in <4 days! Dec 1, Sydney time. Computer Science (including Theory) people on the academic job market, do apply!

usyd.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/en-GB/USYD_E...

I am very much looking forward to tomorrow’s SMRI Seminar, ‘The rich world of Fano geometry’
with Caucher Birkar, on Thursday 27 November 1 pm – 2 pm AEDT
Location: SMRI Seminar Room (Macleay A12 Room 301) @SydMathInst.bluesky.social

One more week to apply for these 2 X postdoctoral research associate positions. Join us at the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute! 🧮🐨🌏 #MathSky #MathJobs

The AMSI Summer School 2026 Public Lecture is coming up soon - 'The Other Golden Ratio', given by Prof Burkard Polster (Monash University)
🗓️ Wed 4 Feb, 2026
🕡 6–7pm (light refreshments from 5pm)
📍 Monash University, Clayton & online

Register here: ss.amsi.org.au/public-lectu...

Thanks @matthras.bsky.social. Having someone familiar with individuals in the demographic definitely helps. I hope this can be extended to other groups

This was a good read. It's making me think about how to target other demographics (e.g. people with disabilities, in my case) for similar interventions.

One university boosted gender diversity in advanced maths by over 30% in 5 years – here’s how A lack of gender diversity in maths means technologies such as AI and quantum computing are mainly designed by – and for – men.

Thanks @petraschwer.bsky.social - as shared by @monsoon0.bsky.social, the article link is here: theconversation.com/one-universi...

Thanks @monsoon0.bsky.social for sharing- sorry the DOI worked in my test

How can we flip the decline in girls and gender-diverse students doing mathematics at higher levels?

Zsuzsanna Dancso explains how her program of mentorship and encouragement piloted at
@sydney.edu.au increased enrolments from 22% to 30%📈 🧮

More here:
doi.org/10.64628/AA....

#MathSky
doi.

The Sydney mathematician finding a better way to keep your data safe Quantum computers can decode encryption keys increasingly quickly. Professor Nalini Joshi is developing the mathematics to make your secrets stronger.

www.theage.com.au/national/nsw...