Interdisciplinary Math Study Group

The aim of this study group is to cultivate opportunities for delving into mathematics, encompassing both fundamental principles and their applications in real-world contexts.

Objectives

Mathematics is the foundation of all scientific disciplines, and interdisciplinary collaboration can begin even with individuals who may not be well-versed in mathematics. Therefore, it’s essential to create and maintain a platform for mathematical discussions at iTHEMS. Between 2022 and 2024, the Math Seminar Study Group served as a platform to foster collaboration between mathematicians and colleagues at iTHEMS. Recognizing the evolving nature of our work post pandemic, we acknowledge the necessity of cultivating interdisciplinary connections. Thus, we aspire to establish avenues for such interactions within iTHEMS.

We are planning to host three types (though not mutually exclusive nor exhaustive) of presentations in this Study Group:

‘Math Seminar’: This seminar is primarily tailored for expert mathematicians. We invite researchers with strong mathematical backgrounds, but we remain open to a broader audience. Depending on the speaker’s agreement, we can include an introductory section before delving into more specialized content. Our host colleagues take responsibility for coordinating these seminars, ensuring accessibility to both experts and all iTHEMS colleagues.
‘Applied Math Seminar’: Geared towards those interested in applied topics and techniques, this seminar explores interdisciplinary questions and mathematically intriguing viewpoints in fields, e.g., theoretical physics, theoretical biology, engineering, informatics, economics, politics, and quantum computing. This format also encourages computational scientists to engage in mathematical discussions, fostering collaboration between computational science and mathematics. Also, learning new common skills is anticipated.
‘Elementary Math Lecture’: In response to the departure of many mathematicians during the pandemic, we invite former colleagues to give one-day or longer lectures on elementary mathematics. This allows them to reconnect with us and share their expertise. Additionally, lecturers may discuss more advanced topics at the end of their lectures, offering insights into how basic mathematics applies to recent research. We welcome requests for specific lecture topics, and lecturers need not be alumni or alumnae.

These categories serve as a basic guideline, and we believe they can provide iTHEMS colleagues with a clearer understanding of the mathematical proficiency required. We envision this SG as a distinct and inclusive platform for all iTHEMS members, facilitated by the universal language of mathematics.

Facilitators:: Christopher Bourne (Nagoya University/RIKEN iTHEMS); Yukimi Goto (Kyushu University); Ryosuke Iritani (RIKEN iTHEMS) *Contact at ryosuke.iritani@riken.jp; Yuka Kotorii (Hiroshima University/RIKEN iTHEMS); Hiroyasu Miyazaki (NTT Communication Science Laboratories/RIKEN iTHEMS); Yuto Moriwaki (RIKEN iTHEMS) *Contact at yuto.moriwaki@riken.jp; Ade Irma Suriajaya (Kyushu University/RIKEN iTHEMS)