LMS POPULAR LECTURES 2016 (BIRMINGHAM)

The London Mathematical Society Popular Lectures present exciting topics in mathematics and its applications to a wide audience. The LMS Popular Lectures usually feature two lecturers who have been chosen for their mathematical distinction and communication skills. The Society aims to present a wide range of mathematical topics in the lectures, which are suitable for all who have an interest in mathematics.

The Popular Lectures are a free annual event held during either June or July in London and repeated in late September at another venue in the UK. For the past few years this has been Birmingham. 

BIRMINGHAM (University of Birmingham) - 21st September, starting 18:30

18:30 Heather Harrington (University of Oxford)

The shape of data in biology

From epidemics spreading across the globe to proteins interacting inside a cell, biological systems have complex interactions that can behave in unexpected ways and generate vast amounts of data. Branches of abstract mathematics such as algebra and topology in combination with computing and statistics, can help us understand these systems by looking at their data in new ways. Dr Harrington will focus on how computational developments in abstract mathematics can provide new insights to biological systems with data.

20:00 Julia Wolf (University of Bristol).

One, Two, Red, Blue

Ever wondered why the popular game Noughts and crosses always results in a draw? Is the same true if we play on a larger grid, or one in three dimensions? In this talk Dr Wolf will explore the mathematics behind Noughts and crosses and its variants, which in spite of the frivolous starting point turns out to run surprisingly deep.