Titles and Abstracts
Term 1
- Wednesday 7 October 2026: Jens Marklof (University of Bristol):
Title: Randomness in the spectrum of the Laplacian: from flat tori to hyperbolic surfaces of high genus
Abstract: I will report on recent progress on influential conjectures from the 1970s and 1980s (Berry-Tabor, Bohigas-Giannoni-Schmit), which suggest that the spectral statistics of the Laplace-Beltrami operator on a given compact Riemannian manifold should be described either by a Poisson point process or by a random matrix ensemble, depending on whether the geodesic flow is integrable or 鈥渃haotic鈥�. This talk will straddle aspects of analysis, geometry, probability, number theory and ergodic theory, and should be accessible to a broad audience. The two most recent results presented in this lecture were obtained in collaboration with Laura Monk and with Wooyeon Kim and Matthew Welsh.
- Friday 16 October 2026: An afternoon event in honor of Peter Swinnerton-Dyer
Title: Multiphase porous-media flows: modelling challenges and applications
Abstract: Flows of multiple fluids (eg: a liquid and a gas) within a porous medium occur in many important areas of geoscience and modern industrial processes. However, in general, we do not have accurate, efficient models to study them. In this talk, I will discuss why these flows are such an interesting challenge to model mathematically and give an overview of some different modelling approaches taken in practice. Simplifications can sometimes be exploited to more carefully understand specific flow processes: I鈥檒l discuss work on evaporation of water from stone or soil, salt weathering, mushy freezing of metal alloys or sea ice, and injection problems in manufacturing composite materials.
- Wednesday 28 October 2026: Emma Davis (糖心TV):
Title: A different meaning of 鈥渧ector鈥�: Modelling vector-borne disease dynamics at a population scale
Abstract: A vector-borne disease is pathogen that is transmitted indirectly via an intermediate host or organism. This can create complex coupled dynamics between the primary host and the intermediate host - the 鈥渧ector鈥�, which can pose challenges for control, surveillance, and forecasting. I draw on examples from my research to show how mathematical modelling can be used to explore and understanding these systems, demonstrating the importance of considering different scales and sources of heterogeneity. - Wednesday 11 November 2026: Gregor Tanner (Nottingham):
- Friday 20 November 2026: Bruno Nachtergaele (UC Davis):
- Friday 27 November 2026: Ginestra Bianconi (Queen Mary):
- Friday 4 December 2026: Andrew Hazel (University of Manchester):
- Wednesday 9 December 2026: Vadim Kaimanovich (Universit茅 de Rennes)