Sydney Mathematical Research Institute
Newsletter One 2026
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Newsletter One, 26 February 2026
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Message from the Executive Director
Dear friend of SMRI
With the International Day of Mathematics only a little over two weeks away, we look forward to welcoming Tadashi Tokieda for an exciting program between 13–16 March. Tadashi will give a public lecture on 13 March and two colloquia. Tadashi will also perform two magic shows in our exciting Maths at the Museum program on the weekend of 14–15 March at the Chau Chak Wing Museum.
Tadashi is well known for his entertaining maths and physics outreach with his trove of toys: spinning tops, coffee mugs, and folded squares of paper. I hope you will be able to join us for a fresh perspective that is destined to appeal to school students and seasoned mathematicians alike!
As always, a list of interesting reading and further announcements can be found below.
With best wishes,
Stephan Tillmann
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'A world from a sheet of paper' Tadashi Tokieda's public lecture at SMRI
Starting from just a sheet of paper, by folding, stacking, crumpling, tearing, we shall explore a rich variety of phenomena, from magic tricks and geometry through elasticity and the traditional Japanese art of origami to medical devices and ‘h-principle’. Much of the lecture consists of table-top demos. More information.
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Friday March 13th, 5:30 pm
Lecture Theatre 321, Susan Wakil Health Building, The University of Sydney
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Maths at the Museum: International Day of Mathematics 2026
The official theme of the International Day of Mathematics in 2026 is “Mathematics and Hope”. Across the weekend we will explore mathematical concepts with talks, panels, children’s activities in our Maths Craft Room as well as A magic show by Tadashi Tokieda (Stanford University).
This integrated program of interactive maths activities will run across the weekend, coinciding with the opening weekend of the Biennale at the Museum!
Please check back as more events are added. More information.
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Saturday 14th March & Sunday 15th March, 12 pm – 4 pm
Chau Chak Wing Museum, The University of Sydney
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A magic show by Tadashi Tokieda
A magic show should not steal its own thunder with an abstract, but this one is easy for curious children and difficult for seasoned scientists, and you can try it yourself afterwards on friends and family!
This event is hosted by SMRI as part of our Maths at the Museum program. This is a free event, however registration is essential.
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Saturday 14th March & Sunday 15th March, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm each day
Chau Chak Wing Museum, The University of Sydney
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Two special SMRI Colloquia by Tadashi Tokieda for International Day of Mathematics
Irrational ways of manufacturing numbers (Session 1/2):
Date and time: Friday 13 March 12:00 – 13:00 AEDT
Location: TBA
Abstract: This is meant to be light mathematical entertainment, exploring simple yet unusual phenomena involving rational, irrational, transcendental numbers. We will also glean a few open problems.
Pure mathematics as applied physics (Session 2/2):
Date and time: Monday 16 March 14:00 – 15:00 AEDT, followed by afternoon tea
Location: TBA
Abstract: Humans tend to be better at physics than at mathematics. When an apple falls from a tree, there are more people who can catch it — they sense physically how the apple moves — than people who can compute its trajectory from a differential equation. Applying physical ideas to discover and explain mathematical results is therefore natural, even if it has seldom been tried in the history of science. The exceptions include Archimedes, some old Russian sources, a recent book of Mark Levi’s, as well as articles and lectures by yours truly. Many examples will be presented.
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For planning purposes, we would appreciate your registration
if you intend to attend one or both events.
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| For your calendar: International Day of Mathematics Public Events
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Catch up on SMRI Seminars
on YouTube
We have started recording some of the many seminars running at the SMRI each week. Speakers include: Robert Tarjan (Princeton), Marcus Hutter (ANU/Google DeepMind), Tamás Hausel (Institute of Science and Technology Austria), Lynn Heller (BIMSA) and many more.
Watch on YouTube.
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Announcements
- Have you ever wondered what it means when mathematicians talk about four dimensions? Zsuzsanna Dancso recently published an article in The Conversation, 'Why you can't tie knots in four dimensions' exploring the difficulty of visualising and exploring higher-dimensional spaces for mathematical research.
- Could AI be a tool to discover genuinely novel and exciting mathematics? SMRI Director Geordie Williamson's Joint Mathematics Meetings Colloquium lecture, 'Can AI help us discover interesting mathematics?' is now available online.
- Congratulations to Nalini Joshi AO, who led a sucessful application to establish a new ARC Centre of Excellence in Mathematics for Quantum Era Security and Trust (MathQuEST). The centre will build critical expertise against expected breakdown of quantum cybersecurity protocols by establishing a mathematically trained, technologically agile workforce in Australia. SMRI Director Geordie Williamson will co-lead the computation theme, while SMRI Executive Director Stephan Tillmann will be Deputy Director (Operations) of the Centre.
- Congratulations to John Cannon AO FAA, who was recognised as an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to tertiary education, mathematical computation, to cryptography, and to the development of algebraic software systems.
- Congratulations to Mary Myerscough, who was awarded the 2026 ANZIAM Medal.
- Round 1 of SMRI's International Visitor Program has now closed, with successful applicants to be notified in May. The next round of applications will open in June 2026, for visits to SMRI in 2027 onwards.
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