BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:researchseminars.org CALSCALE:GREGORIAN X-WR-CALNAME:researchseminars.org BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Edmund Harriss (University of Arkansas) DTSTART:20240628T153000Z DTEND:20240628T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/1 DESCRIPTION:Title: Mappings between abstract and physical spaces\nby Edmund Harriss (Uni versity of Arkansas) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nI work a s a mathematician and artist\, and within the Illustrating Mathematics gro up\, at the heart of this work lie ideas about translation and mapping bet ween physical and abstract spaces\, in different ways to just modelling. I n particular thinking about ideas in art and mathematical illustration whe re physical spaces are being used to understand the abstract world (rather than science that normally goes the other way). Images\, models and exper iences can reveal aspects of the abstract that we do not yet understand an d thus drive research. I will introduce some ideas about this and then ope n the question of how category theory might be useful to understanding the mapping and conversion that is happening between the abstract and the phy sical and thus how it can be validated and potentially checked for errors. \n\nThe talk will be moderated by Namista Tabassum who joined our comp mat h group recently. Namista is an interdisciplinary researcher and business advisor who has worked with diverse organizations in Canada and Bangladesh \, notably leading research projects and facilitating social impact events . Her interest in mathematics and science communication stems from her bel ief in compassionate mathematics\, bridging her passion for art and logic to make complex concepts accessible and engaging.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/1/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Irfan Alam (U. Pennsylvania) DTSTART:20240531T160000Z DTEND:20240531T170000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/2 DESCRIPTION:Title: How will mathematics education change with the rise of A.I. tutors?\n by Irfan Alam (U. Pennsylvania) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstrac t\nI have been advising two students\, Tomas Nepala and Tunga Bayrak\, who have created MotionShark\, which is a software that generates video expla nations of mathematical problems. This type of technology prompts signific ant questions about the future role of mathematics educators and the evolu tion of teaching methods. \n\nAfter Tomas and Tunga exhibit the current ca pabilities of their evolving technology\, I will give a presentation on so me challenges that I think the mathematics education community must brace itself for in the wake of this type of technology. Navigating such challen ges requires an active input of mathematicians and this talk is meant to s tart that conversation at an international level. I will share my vision o n how to integrate this type of technology into lower-level mathematics cl asses in healthy ways\, and how I see the scope of such classes adapting a nd evolving in a future where I argue the context of mathematics will beco me more important to teach than actual methods of problem solving. \n\nMy goal is to start this conversation that will hopefully keep going offline after the talk has ended\, since we as a community ought to better underst and in a timely manner the directions in which mathematics education will change in the wake of this and similar technologies in near future. \nThe talk will be moderated by Daniel Filonik who is a postdoc at Carnegie Mell on University (CMU) and foreign guest researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Daniel specializes in data visualizat ion and human computer interaction. His current work is focused on natural interfaces for interactive data modeling and analysis with formal foundat ions in category theory.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/2/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Niels Voorneveld (Cybernetica) DTSTART:20240425T160000Z DTEND:20240425T170000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/3 DESCRIPTION:Title: Relational Molecules: Using games to interact with formal structures\ nby Niels Voorneveld (Cybernetica) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbst ract\nI love video games\, and I love mathematics. For the longest time\, I saw them as separate. But as time went on\, I realized their similaritie s: both define worlds besides our own which we can explore and interact wi th. Combined\, games can give a powerful tool to learn about and play with mathematical structures in a non-standard way. In this talk\, we look at an idea I have been thinking about in the past few months\, that of the se arch for relational molecules. These are relations which look like and sha re symmetries with molecules\, and are inspired by the works of 19th centu ry philosopher Peirce. We look at examples of such molecules\, where they may turn up\, and see how a simple game allows people to interact with the m to learn their behavior. After the talk\, we will have an open discussio n about the ideas covered.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/3/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:David Spivak (Topos Institute) DTSTART:20240802T153000Z DTEND:20240802T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/4 DESCRIPTION:Title: How the Yoneda lemma applies\nby David Spivak (Topos Institute) as pa rt of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nWhat is the relationship between y our web of concepts about the world and all the examples you've seen of th ese concepts? And what is the relationship between a generic flower and al l the particular flowers or a generic bicycle and all the particular bicyc les? A formal answer to this was given by Nobuo Yoneda in a private letter to a founder of Category Theory\, Saunders Mac Lane\, and this answer has become the most fundamental concept in category theory: the Yoneda lemma. \n\nIn this talk\, I'll begin by explaining schemas and instances—concep t-webs and the system of examples that live in them—in terms of categori es C and set-valued functors F:C-->Set. Then I'll explain how each concept (each node in the web) determines a generic instance: the generic flower\ , the generic bicycle\, etc. \n\nSo given a concept\, how is the generic i nstance of it related to all the other examples of it? The answer is that the generic instance of flower can be overlaid perfectly onto any particul ar flower\, and all its generic features will be given particular values. This is the content of the Yoneda lemma: given any schema C and functor (s ystem of examples) F: C-->Set\, the Yoneda lemma says that "applying F to concept c"\, i.e. the set of c-examples\, is the same as the set of all wa ys that the generic instance for c can be overlaid onto the system of exam ples. And this is how the Yoneda lemma "applies"!\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/4/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Nathan Haydon DTSTART:20240830T153000Z DTEND:20240830T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/5 DESCRIPTION:Title: Peirce's Existential Graphs and String Diagrams for First-Order Logic \nby Nathan Haydon as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nThe Existe ntial Graphs are the result of C.S. Peirce's studies in the logic of relat ions and his concern for developing a better logical notation. In this tal k I give an accessible introduction to Peirce's graphs that emphasizes the intuitions behind these notational choices and the resulting inference ru les. Along the way I discuss how Peirce's work has been the inspiration fo r recent advances in categorical logic and show examples of how the graphs help us present and clarify some of our logical concepts.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/5/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Priyaa Varshinee Srinivasan (Tallinn University of Technology) DTSTART:20241004T153000Z DTEND:20241004T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/6 DESCRIPTION:Title: Communicating relational thinking\nby Priyaa Varshinee Srinivasan (Ta llinn University of Technology) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstrac t\nI love math\, I love people and I am interested in how they both intera ct. While being a postdoctoral fellow at the Topos Institute\, a team of four including me published an online illustrated live-book on category t heory -- which we termed as relational thinking for the purposes of this b ook -- intended for a general STEM-oriented audience. We used story-tellin g and leaned in on technology instead of formal symbols to communicate cat egory theory. \n\nIn this talk\, I will outline the storyline of this book and also touch on the technology that made this book happen. This project is joint work with Paul Dancstep\, Brendan Fong\, Angeline Aguinaldo\, Ev an Patterson and many others behind the scenes. \n\nThe book is available at https://toposinstitute.github.io/RelationalThinking-Book/cover.html\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/6/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Karen Little DTSTART:20241129T163000Z DTEND:20241129T173000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/7 DESCRIPTION:Title: Exploring the math of awesome reversible knitting\nby Karen Little as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nI am an enthusiastic mathematic ian specializing in reversible knitting which is a branch of knitting focu ssed on creating fabric that looks beautiful on both sides. This talk will explore concepts\, definitions and axioms of reversible knitting. We will start with the two fundamental knitting stitches\, venture into duality\, symmetry\, tiling and transformations and end with the “reversiblest” stitch pattern known\, all in a Knitting Relatorium!\n\nAlthough no physi cal knitting experience is required or provided\, I will supplement the ta lk with a selection of knitted fabrics as examples of each concept.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/7/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Ted Theodosopoulos (Nueva School) DTSTART:20241025T153000Z DTEND:20241025T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/8 DESCRIPTION:Title: Compassion as Composition\nby Ted Theodosopoulos (Nueva School) as pa rt of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nWe propose that categorical notion s can be wielded to facilitate the “Yes\, and…” experience as a tool for collaborative sense making\, as we explore mathematical ideas and com municate our insights. Far from forbiddingly remote abstractions\, catego rical notions ground our emerging sense of unfamiliar terrains in relation al thinking\, which interacts constructively with the narratives that popu late our mental universe. In this talk we will grapple with ambiguity and co-create mutually reinforcing stories that carry meaning. The resulting experiences help situate mathematical ideas beyond the largely contingent symbols we use to express them.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/8/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Daniel Fiłonik DTSTART:20241227T163000Z DTEND:20241227T173000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/9 DESCRIPTION:Title: Hypercomplex Numbers: How I stopped worrying and learned to love multilin ear algebra (Part 1/2)\nby Daniel Fiłonik as part of Relatorium semin ar\n\n\nAbstract\nThis seminar will serve up a smorgasbord of ideas revolv ing around the notion of hypercomplex numbers. Traditionally\, the term hy percomplex number refers to an element of a finite-dimensional unital alge bra over the field of real numbers. The hypercomplex numbers are stepping stones to learning about Lie groups and group representation theory.\n\nMy aim is to reframe some of the key underlying ideas in more modern mathema tical language by using multilinear algebra and string diagrams as graphic al notation\, while simultaneously keeping intact the original intuition o f generalizing complex numbers. Ultimately\, I hope to motivate further ex ploration by showing several practical applications of hypercomplex number s in computer graphics and data visualization.\n\n\n\n** ==== **\n\nThe ta lk will be moderated by Edmund Harriss. Edmund Harriss is a mathematician\ , artist\, and assistant professor at the University of Arkansas. He is th e discoverer of the Harriss spiral and the creator of the construction toy Curvahedra. He is the coauthor of Hello Numbers\, What Can You Do? and th e coauthor and illustrator of two mathematical coloring books: Patterns of the Universe and Visions of the Universe.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/9/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Daniel Fiłonik DTSTART:20250117T163000Z DTEND:20250117T173000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/10 DESCRIPTION:Title: Hypercomplex numbers: How I stopped worrying and learned to love multili near algebra (Part 2/2)\nby Daniel Fiłonik as part of Relatorium semi nar\n\n\nAbstract\nThis seminar will serve up a smorgasbord of ideas revol ving around the notion of hypercomplex numbers. Traditionally\, the term h ypercomplex number refers to an element of a finite-dimensional unital alg ebra over the field of real numbers. The hypercomplex numbers are stepping stones to learning about Lie groups and group representation theory.\n\nM y aim is to reframe some of the key underlying ideas in more modern mathem atical language by using multilinear algebra and string diagrams as graphi cal notation\, while simultaneously keeping intact the original intuition of generalizing complex numbers. Ultimately\, I hope to motivate further e xploration by showing several practical applications of hypercomplex numbe rs in computer graphics and data visualization.\n\n-----\n\nThe talk will be moderated by Ted Theodosopoulous. Ted is a mathematician who\, after wo rking for years in academia and industry\, transitioned to teaching at the pre-college level fifteen years ago\, the last seven at Nueva\, where he teaches math and economics. Ted’s research background is in the area of interacting stochastic systems\, with particular applications in biology and economics.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/10/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Matt Insall (Missouri University of Science and Technology) DTSTART:20250228T163000Z DTEND:20250228T173000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/11 DESCRIPTION:Title: Non-standard Methods and Universal Algebra\nby Matt Insall (Missouri University of Science and Technology) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\n Abstract\nThe subject of Universal Algebra (aka General Algebra) has at it s core a class of structures called “Algebras”. An algebra can be tho ught of as a universe of discourse for a computer or calculator that “ru ns” deterministic code\, because calculations in an algebra use function s (in the mathematical sense\, no input has multiple outputs). Algebras ca n be organized into various types or “kinds”\, according to a formal l anguage that uses only universally quantified equations. The algebras form a kind of “semantic playground” for mathematicians\, and the equation s can be thought of as a “syntactic grammar” for establishing “rules of games” for any given section of the playground. At a higher level\, one may study the relations and interactions between the rules (syntax) an d the algebras (semantics)\, and classes of algebras with certain desirabl e properties. Some of the games use finite algebras as their section of t he playground but others use infinite algebras. The study of infinite alg ebras can in some nice ways benefit from knowledge about finite algebras. The goal of this discussion will be to see how Nonstandard Methods can be used to create new concepts in universal algebra\, mostly by “playing” in two (generic) “playground sections”. One section is loosely calle d “the standard world”\, and the other is “the nonstandard world”. Finite algebras we consider in the standard world are also finite algebr as in the nonstandard world\, but some of the algebras viewed as “finite ” in the nonstandard world are extensions of infinite algebras in the st andard world\, so that from the standard perspective\, some “nonstandard ly finite” or “hyperfinite” algebras are infinite. Results known abo ut finite algebras in the standard world carry over to results about hyper finite algebras\, and can be used then to draw conclusions about the stand ard algebras they extend. For example\, \n\nA standard algebra is locally finite (each of its finitely generated subalgebras is finite) if and only if it has a hyperfinite extension. \n\nOther properties of algebras (other than the property of being finite) in the standard world have nonstandard analogues as well\, and we can use this general framework to “create” new properties of algebras in the standard world. Hopefully\, with audien ce participation\, we will be able to create such a property that is new ( to us\, at least). \n\nReferences:\n\nHurd\, Albert E.\; Loeb\, Peter A. An introduction to nonstandard real analysis. Pure and Applied Mathematics \, 118. Academic Press\, Inc.\, Orlando\, FL\, 1985.\n\nStanley N. Burris\ , Stanley N.\; H.P. Sankappanavar\, H. P. A Course in Universal Algebra\, https://www.math.uwaterloo.ca/~snburris/htdocs/ualg.html\n\nInsall\, M. (1 991)\, Nonstandard Methods and Finiteness Conditions in Algebra. Mathemati cal Logic Quarterly\, 37: 525-532. https://doi.org/10.1002/malq.1991037330 3\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------\n\nThe talk will be moderated by Irfan Alam. Irfan i s a mathematician\, abstract artist\, and aspiring philosopher. He current ly works as a postdoctoral fellow in the department of Computer and Mathem atical Sciences at University of Toronto Scarborough. Irfan’s research b ackground is in the area of nonstandard analysis\, especially in its appli cations to other areas of mathematics such as probability theory and topol ogy.\n\nMatt Insall studied chemical engineering (BS\, 1986) and mathemati cs (BS\, 1985) at University of Houston\, doing a MS (1987) and PhD (1989) with Professor Klaus Kaiser\, also at University of Houston. He taught ma thematics in Rolla\, Missouri\, at Missouri University of Science and Tech nology (S&T) from 1989 to 2024 and has now retired. He and his wife have f our children\, two step grandsons\, two grandsons\, and two granddaughters . Dr. Insall’s research career has included solo and collaborative proje cts in mathematics and its applications\, mainly with colleagues in variou s departments at S&T. He is currently on a courtesy appointment in the S& T mathematics and statistics department\, finishing work with PhD students . In retirement he is continuing to learn mathematics and its applications \, following some current events\, continuing some writing projects in mat hematics\, and enjoying meeting new people over coffee or online\, to disc uss mathematics and education and science.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/11/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Rem (Simuli\, Inc.) DTSTART:20250328T153000Z DTEND:20250328T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/12 DESCRIPTION:Title: Deconstructivist Mathematics\nby Rem (Simuli\, Inc.) as part of Rela torium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nI work as a mathematical developer and are c urrently interested in fully relational models of computations.\n\nIn this talk\, we will explore the relationship between mathematical intuition an d formal rigor\, delving into the philosophical and structural foundations of mathematics. The main aim is to examine the process of formalizing mat hematical intuitions\, highlighting how this process can itself be formali zed within a mathematical framework. The layers of abstraction offered by Category Theory mirror the progression from computational to conceptual re asoning. We start from apparent dichotomies appearing in diverse fields of knowledge\, such as axiomatic versus structural foundations of mathematic s. We then go over the impact and implications of the crisis of foundation s\, the role of circularity in mathematical reasoning\, and the importance of fostering alternative approaches to learning and teaching mathematics. Through allegories\, metaphors\, and analogies\, we illustrate how mathem atical concepts can be represented and understood in different contexts\, emphasizing the interconnectedness of mathematical ideas. We conclude by a dvocating for a holistic view of mathematics\, one that transcends traditi onal dichotomies and embraces the dynamic\, evolving nature of mathematica l thought.\n\nThis talk is aimed at both mathematicians and philosophers\, offering a deep dive into the structural and philosophical underpinnings of mathematics\, while also providing practical insights into the developm ent and teaching of mathematical concepts.\n\nModerator: The talk will be moderated by Nathan Haydon. Nathan is a philosopher working on methods of reasoning in logic and science. Much of his work is inspired by Charles S. Peirce\, including Peirce’s pragmatism and Peirce’s formal developmen ts in diagrammatic logic. Along these lines\, Nathan has most recently bee n working on the logic of string diagrams. Finally\, Nathan is also intere sted in the broader ethical and meta-ethical positions that follow from sc ientific reasoning.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/12/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:C.B. Wells DTSTART:20250425T153000Z DTEND:20250425T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/13 DESCRIPTION:Title: Holdea: Visual Logic Interface\nby C.B. Wells as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nThere is a simple visualization of logic: relations of types are nodes with ports\, equalities are wires connecting ports\, c onjunction is juxtaposition\, negation is wrapping in an opposite color\, and entailment is nesting of nodes. This describes the string diagrams of a self-dual cartesian bifibered category\, which models a first-order logi c. \n\nI'm creating an interface for visual logic - a user connects data\, tables become nodes in the canvas\, and they can form predicates and rule s just by manipulating nodes and wires. It's in the early stage\, but the core is established: the visualization generates a prolog query in the sid e panel\, executes\, and returns results in the bottom panel. I'll demonst rate\, explain some background theory and implementation\, and then open d iscussion.\n\nModerator: The talk will be moderated by Nathan Haydon. Nath an is a philosopher working on methods of reasoning in logic and science. Much of his work is inspired by Charles S. Peirce\, including Peirce’s p ragmatism and Peirce’s formal developments in diagrammatic logic. Along these lines\, Nathan has most recently been working on the logic of string diagrams. Finally\, Nathan is also interested in the broader ethical and meta-ethical positions that follow from scientific reasoning.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/13/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Shaowei Lin DTSTART:20250530T153000Z DTEND:20250530T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/14 DESCRIPTION:Title: Refine yourself a code for great good!\nby Shaowei Lin as part of Re latorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nHow do you code? Andrej Karpathy who coine d the term "vibe coding\," says that for professional coding tasks\, he pi cks single concrete incremental changes and\, with AI assistance\, plans t hem\, executes them\, and evaluates them. Refinement is the process of mak ing incremental changes. It is not just the primary way we design and cons truct code\, but also how we repair them and upgrade them\, often collabor atively with other coders\, designers and users.\n\nThe central objects in refinement are partially implemented programs. Partial programs are examp les of open systems - each has a formal external specification (e.g. a fun ction type) and an implementation with internal holes which are also forma lly specified. Partial proofs\, such as those manipulated by the proof ass istants\, are also examples of open systems. Open systems compose by refin ement or hole-filling\, where a typed hole can only be filled by an open s ystem of the right spec. An open system in some representation can also be translated (transported\, projected or lifted) to some open system in ano ther representation. In fact\, open systems\, with their refinements and t ranslations\, form a double category!\n\nIn this talk\, I hope to share so me concrete examples of this refinement-centric approach in formal verific ation\, program synthesis and theorem proving. I believe that this approac h can help us to leverage AI assistance in coding\, to decentralize and de mocratize coding\, and to build safe\, secure and sustainable software sys tems.\n\nModerator: The talk will be moderated by Daniel Filonik. Daniel s pecializes in data visualization and human computer interaction. His recen t work focused on natural interfaces for interactive data modeling and ana lysis with formal foundations in category theory.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/14/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Broni Czarnocha and Malgorzata Marciniak (Hostos CC of the City Un iversity of New York and LaGuardia CC of the City University of New York) DTSTART:20250627T153000Z DTEND:20250627T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/15 DESCRIPTION:Title: The interplay between two opposing perspectives on creativity\nby Br oni Czarnocha and Malgorzata Marciniak (Hostos CC of the City University o f New York and LaGuardia CC of the City University of New York) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nIn our presentation\, we will explore a dialogue between two somewhat contrasting perspectives on creativity. One speaker will present the concept of Teaching-Research as a manifestation of creative practice\, while the other will examine the interplay between the conscious and subconscious mind\, highlighting both the boundaries and the connections that shape the creative process.\n\nBroni: Creativity of Mathematics Teaching-Research.\nIn general\, creativity\, and especially t he creativity of Aha! Moment (called bisociation by Koestler (1964t)) take s a place within two unconnected matrices of thought joined together by th e insight. Czarnocha and Baker (2021) abstracted these two matrices to the concept of the bisociative frame\, and we used it as the tool to find are as of enhanced creativity within different theories and practices of teach ing.\nTeaching and research constitute such a frame\, taking into account a very meager connection between them\, and because of that the creative T R methodology is so promising. The presentation will provide an example of creativity while practicing TR methodology.\n\nMalgorzata: Creativity as a collaboration between conscious and subconscious\nIn my work\, creativit y is viewed as a dynamic\, cyclical process involving alternating phases o f conscious and subconscious activity. This aligns with Graham Wallas’ s tages: preparation\, incubation\, illumination\, and reflection\, outlined in The Art of Thought (Wallace\, 1926). Over time\, this cycle mirrors th e state of flow described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in Creativity: Flow a nd the Psychology of Discovery and Invention (1996). Conscious phases invo lve deliberate effort\, analysis\, and reflection\, while subconscious pha ses are more elusive\, yet crucial. The most intriguing moments occur duri ng spontaneous shifts between phases\, when conscious and subconscious pro cesses interact\, offering insights that feel both intentional and mysteri ously emergent.\n\nThis conversation will be moderated by Ted Theodosopoul os. Ted is a mathematician who\, after working for years in academia and industry\, transitioned to teaching at the pre-college level sixteen years ago\, the last eight at Nueva\, where he teaches math and economics. Ted ’s research background is in the area of interacting stochastic systems\ , with particular applications in biology and economics.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/15/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Ted Chinburg (University of Pennsylvania) DTSTART:20250725T153000Z DTEND:20250725T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/16 DESCRIPTION:Title: Long term effects of university teaching practices\nby Ted Chinburg (University of Pennsylvania) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\n In this talk I'll discuss some teaching practices that are not popular wit h students but which can lead to better test scores at the end of a semest er. This brings up the question of the long term harm to student motivati on produced by such practices. At the end I'll suggest some norms for uni versity departments engaged in debates about teaching.\n\n\nModerator: Irf an Alam\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/16/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Brendan Fong (Topos Institute) DTSTART:20250829T153000Z DTEND:20250829T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/17 DESCRIPTION:Title: Abstractions for Real People\nby Brendan Fong (Topos Institute) as p art of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nComputing is built on abstraction s. Abstractions forget details\, so that we can focus on what is important . What happens\, however\, when we forget something of value? I argue that certain risks and fears around AI today result from action informed by ab stractions that diverge from what matters in their context of use. Moreove r\, I suggest that building better societal practices of abstraction is a task to which mathematicians – especially category theorists – are wel l placed to contribute. To begin a conversation\, I envision a practice of abstraction that prizes accessibility\, responsiveness\, and pluralism. I 'll illustrate this practice via ongoing work at Topos\, especially our co llaborative modelling platform CatColab.\n\nbio: Brendan Fong serves as th e founding chief executive of Topos Institute\, an international research nonprofit building tools for collective sense-making. He is co-author of t extbook An Invitation to Applied Category Theory\, serves on the steering committee of the Adjoint School\, served as a founding executive editor of the open access journal Compositionality\, and co-directed the Inaugural Singapore Conference on AI for the Global Good. He received a DPhil in Com puter Science from Oxford\, with postdoctoral training at UPenn and MIT.\n \nModerator bio: The talk will be moderated by Priyaa Varshinee Srinivasan . Priyaa is a postdoctoral fellow at the Tallinn University of Technology\ , and a former colleague of Brendan (the speaker). She specializes in appl ied category theory specializing in quantum sciences. Her vision is for ev eryone to experience the joy of mathematics in their own way.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/17/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Danielle Bowerman (Missouri University of Science and Technology) DTSTART:20250912T153000Z DTEND:20250912T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/18 DESCRIPTION:Title: Extension Monads: Some Structure Theorems\nby Danielle Bowerman (Mis souri University of Science and Technology) as part of Relatorium seminar\ n\n\nAbstract\nTo some extent\, this presentation follows the seminar titl ed "Non-standard Methods and Universal Algebra" by Matt Insall presented b ack in February. In this presentation\, we take algebraic structures---a p air consisting of (1) a set of elements to compute upon and (2) a set of c omputational instructions\, called algebras heretofore---into the nonstand ard setting. This process can both enlarge and endense said algebra\, ofte n causing new elements to appear both "far away" from and "in between" the elements of the original algebra\, while preserving all of the same logic al properties of the original. \n\nThe additional elements are often clust ered around directly mapped elements from the standard (original) setting. In the case of these algebras\, we define a third structure\, the extensi on monad\, of the elements that are very close to the original algebra. Th is extension monad is\, as a set\, in between the standard and nonstandard version of the algebra and while not logically identical\, captures the l ocal behavior of the computational instructions\, known as operations.\n\n Bio: Danielle Bowerman studied mathematics at Evangel University and earne d a bachelor of science in 2019. She then went on to join a mathematics Ph D program as a Chancellor's Distinguished Fellow at the Missouri Universit y of Science and Technology and expects her PhD in the fall of 2025. She t aught a few sections of College Algebra at some point.\n\nModerator: This talk will be moderated by Matt Insall. Matt Insall is a mathematician\, f ather of four (two sons and two daughters)\, and grandfather of four boys and two girls. He’s written poems and a song\, and performs occasionally at open mic events. Matt retired in September 2024 from his position in t he faculty of the Missouri University of Science and Technology Department of Mathematics and Statistics after 35 years in that position.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/18/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Antonio Vassallo (Warsaw University of Technology) DTSTART:20250926T153000Z DTEND:20250926T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/19 DESCRIPTION:Title: Rethinking Reality without Space and Time\nby Antonio Vassallo (Wars aw University of Technology) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\n This talk explores a Leibnizian/Machian perspective on physics in which sp ace\, time\, and intrinsic properties are not fundamental\, but emergent f rom an underlying web of relations. Drawing on the framework of Pure Shape Dynamics and the metaphysics of self-subsisting structures\, I will argue that physical reality can be fully described without appealing to externa l backgrounds or absolute quantities. Instead\, what persists are evolving patterns of relational quantities that together form a coherent\, self-co ntained structure. This shift not only reframes familiar concepts like ide ntity\, locality\, and entanglement\, but also invites us to reconsider th e ontological status of temporality itself as a product of internal perspe ctive within an undivided whole.\n\nSpeaker bio: Antonio Vassallo is Assis tant Professor at the Warsaw University of Technology. His research lies a t the intersection of philosophy and fundamental physics\, with a focus on relational approaches to space\, time\, and quantum theory. He holds a MS c in physics from the University of Catania and a PhD in philosophy from t he Universities of Lausanne and Warsaw. He has held research positions in Switzerland\, Spain\, and Poland. Among his publications is the edited vol ume "The Foundations of Spacetime Physics: Philosophical Perspectives" (Ro utledge\, 2022).\n\nModerator: This talk is moderated by Ted Theodosopoulo s. Ted is a mathematician who\, after working for years in academia and in dustry\, transitioned to teaching at the pre-college level sixteen years a go\, the last eight at Nueva\, where he teaches math and economics. Ted’ s research background is in the area of interacting stochastic systems\, w ith particular applications in biology and economics.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/19/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Nick Watters (MIT) DTSTART:20251017T153000Z DTEND:20251017T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/20 DESCRIPTION:Title: How can we understand the neural basis of thought?\nby Nick Watters (MIT) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nNeuroscience is undergo ing a technological revolution\, a “Moore’s Law” for neural recordin g that is allowing us to measure the activity of the brain at ever-increas ing resolution. However\, simply recording neural activity does not tell u s how the brain works. To understand how the brain works\, we must constru ct models that connect neural activity to interpretable principles of thou ght. This modeling becomes increasingly important as we tackle more abstra ct\, cognitive types of thought that arise from the coordinated activity o f large populations of neurons. In this talk\, I’ll discuss approaches t o modeling such large-scale neural activity. I’ll focus primarily on one cognitive domain: Our ability to predict the kinematics of moving objects . We use this ability regularly in daily life\, from catching a ball to cr ossing a busy street. I’ll present neural data recorded from subjects pr edicting the kinematics of moving objects\, introduce a modeling paradigm for interpreting this data\, and discuss the implications of the neural la tent variables this modeling effort reveals. I’ll conclude by sharing an optimistic outlook on the future of systems neuroscience and speculation about potential implications for artificial intelligence.\n\nSpeaker bio: Nick Watters is a postdoctoral associate at MIT studying the neural basis of cognition and motor control in the Jazayeri lab\, where he was a PhD st udent beforehand. Prior to joining MIT\, he worked at Google DeepMind as a research engineer\, studying unsupervised visual structure-learning and s ample-efficient reinforcement learning. Prior to joining DeepMind\, he was an undergraduate at Harvard studying math\, computer science\, and neurob iology.\n\nModerator: This talk is moderated by Ted Theodosopoulos. Ted is a mathematician who\, after working for years in academia and industry\, transitioned to teaching at the pre-college level sixteen years ago\, the last eight at Nueva\, where he teaches math and economics. Ted’s researc h background is in the area of interacting stochastic systems\, with parti cular applications in biology and economics.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/20/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Theo McKenzie (Stanford University) DTSTART:20251031T153000Z DTEND:20251031T163000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/21 DESCRIPTION:Title: The Quantum Chaos of Real-World Networks\nby Theo McKenzie (Stanford University) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nModern science i ncreasingly relies on predictions derived from massive\, interconnected da ta sets—from social networks to neural activity to the internet. To unde rstand these complex systems\, we must move beyond surface-level correlati ons and uncover the fundamental principles that govern their structure and dynamics. Surprisingly\, a fruitful way to analyze these networks is to u se the framework created to study atoms in quantum systems. In this talk\, I will discuss recent progress in analyzing large networks through the le ns of spectral graph theory and quantum chaos. This perspective reveals de ep connections between randomness\, geometry\, and statistical physics\, a llowing us to prove sharp results about the universal behavior of large ne tworks. I’ll trace the development of these ideas from classical spectra l graph theory to modern advances inspired by quantum chaotic systems\, an d highlight how these methods provide new tools for distinguishing order f rom noise in complex data. I’ll conclude by discussing open questions an d emerging directions at the intersection of network science\, probability \, and mathematical physics.\n\nSpeaker bio: Theo McKenzie is a postdoctor al fellow at Stanford University studying probability theory through the l ens of random graphs. Specifically\, he studies the relationship between t he spectral geometry of graphs and quantum chaos. Previously\, he was a Ph D student at Berkeley and a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard. \n\nModerator: This talk is moderated by Ted Theodosopoulus. Ted is a mathematician who\ , after working for years in academia and industry\, transitioned to teach ing at the pre-college level sixteen years ago\, the last eight at Nueva\, where he teaches math and economics. Ted’s research background is in th e area of interacting stochastic systems\, with particular applications in biology and economics.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/21/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Bob Coecke (University of Oxford) DTSTART:20251114T163000Z DTEND:20251114T173000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/22 DESCRIPTION:Title: Kindergarten Quantum Mechanics\, now for real!\nby Bob Coecke (Unive rsity of Oxford) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nOver some 20 years we have developed a diagrammatic quantum formalism\, sometimes refe rred to as quantum picturalism\, or categorical quantum mechanics. We hav e written two books on it [2\, 3]. This project was in part initiated in a talk some 20 years ago\, with the title Kindergarten Quantum Mechanics [ 1]. Two things have happened since:\n\n(1) We showed that this formalism e nabled secondary school students to perform exceptionally well on an Oxfor d University post-grad quantum exam\, as reported in The Guardian/Observer [4]. Almost 50% of the students obtained a distinction\, and 80% passed [5]. Those numbers are better than typical Oxford University MSc students . In Greece quantum picturalism is already used to teach quantum at secon dary school level\, and several other countries are in the process of doin g so too.\n\n(2) John von Neumann himself who denounced `his own’ quantu m formalism\, that relies on Hilbert space. Alternatives had been propose d\, including by von Neumann himself\, but none play a role in quantum the ory today. On the other hand\, quantum picturalism is now widespread in quantum industry\, with applications including circuit optimisation and er ror-correction\, with Peter Shor among the proponents. The formalism is a lso used as the basis for interpretable AI\, and even music [6]. \n\nHenc e quantum picturalism has succeeded in providing an alternative formalism for quantum\, with several advantages over the usual formalism\, be it as an educational tool\, an engineering tool\, or a vehicle to explore applic ations in new areas.\n\n[1] Bob Coecke (2006) Kindergarten quantum mechani cs. Quantum Theory: Reconstructions of the Foundations III. AIP Conferenc e Proceedings. Vol. 810. No. 1. American Institute of Physics.\n\n[2] Bob Coecke & Aleks Kissinger (2017) Picturing Quantum Processes. Cambridge Un iversity Press.\n\n[3] Bob Coecke & Stefano Gogioso (2022) Quantum in Pict ures. Quantinuum.\n\n[4]https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/dec/16/ph ysicist-bob-coecke-its-easier-to-convince-kids-than-adults-about-quantum-m echanics\n\n[5] Selma Dündar-Coecke\, Caterina Puca\, Lia Yeh\, Hamza Was eem\, Emmanuel Pothos\, Thomas Cervoni\, Sieglinde M-L. Pfaendler\, Vince nt Wang-Maścianica\, Peter Sigrist\, Ferdi Tomassini\, Vincent Anandraj\, Ilyas Khan\, Stefano Gogioso\, Aleks Kissinger\, & Bob Coecke (2025). Ma king the quantum world accessible to young learners through Quantum Pictur alism: An experimental study. arXiv preprint arXiv:2504.01013.\n\n[6] http s://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7q7n8TYPdo\n\n---------\n\nSpeaker Bio: Profe ssor Coecke is a theoretical physicist and logician\, and a former Chief S cientist at Quantinuum\, leading its Quantum-Compositional Intelligence (Q CI) research team. He is also Distinguished Visiting Research Chair at Per imeter Institute for Theoretical Physics\, Emeritus Professor at Wolfson C ollege\, Oxford University\, and a Visiting Fellow at the Computer Science Department and the Mathematical Institute of Oxford University.\n\nHe is a founding father of the QPL (Quantum Physics and Logic) and ACT (Applied Category Theory) communities\, of the diamond-open-access journal Composit ionality\, and Cambridge University Press' Applied Category Theory book se ries. \n\nHe is best known for pioneering a simple\, picture-based approac h to quantum mechanics—sometimes called “Kindergarten Quantum Mechanic s”—that allows anyone to grasp quantum ideas with no formal background in mathematics.\n\nhttps://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/people/bob.coecke/\n\nBob Coec ke\n\nWolfson College Oxford\, Perimeter Institute\n\n--------\n\nModerato r: The talk will be moderated by Priyaa Varshinee Srinivasan. Priyaa is a postdoctoral fellow at the Tallinn University of Technology researching ca tegorical quantum mechanics. Her vision is for everyone to experience the joy of mathematics in their own way. She has co-authored a live digital bo ok titled “Relational thinking: from abstractions to applications” whi ch reveals the thought-process behind creating mathematics (category theor y) using story-telling\, illustrations\, and visualization of computations . The material is available at https://toposinstitute.github.io/Relational Thinking-Book/cover.html.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/22/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Pawel Sobocinski (Tallinn University of Technology) DTSTART:20251128T163000Z DTEND:20251128T173000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/23 DESCRIPTION:Title: How I fell in love with string diagrams\nby Pawel Sobocinski (Tallin n University of Technology) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nI will talk about a research adventure I had 10 years ago\, rediscovering l inear algebra with string diagrams\, and resulting in the blog Graphical L inear Algebra and the paper Interacting Hopf Algebras in collaboration wit h Filippo Bonchi and Fabio Zanasi. This was followed by several subsequent papers and PhD theses that developed the theory further. But more importa ntly than blogs and papers\, it was one of the most fun experiences that I ’ve had with research. Along the way I discovered some fun little mathem atical facts\, some of which I’ll share in this talk.\n\nSpeaker Bio: Pa wel Sobocinski is Professor of Trustworthy Software Technologies at the Ta llinn University of Technology. He leads the Laboratory for Compositional Systems and Methods. He takes part in CHESS\, the Cyber-security Excellenc e Hub in Estonia and South Moravia\, funded by the European Commission. He is also a TalTech PI of EXAI\, the Estonian Centre of Excellence in Artif icial Intelligence\, financed by the Estonian Ministry of Education and Re search. He is also the author of the blog series on Graphical Linear Algeb ra (linear algebra through string diagrams) --- https://graphicallinearalg ebra.net/. \n\nModerator: The talk will be moderated by Priyaa Varshinee S rinivasan. Priyaa is a postdoctoral fellow at the Tallinn University of Te chnology researching categorical quantum mechanics. Her vision is for ever yone to experience the joy of mathematics in their own way. She has co-aut hored a live digital book titled “Relational thinking: from abstractions to applications” which reveals the thought-process behind creating math ematics (category theory) using story-telling\, illustrations\, and visual ization of computations. The book can be found at https://toposinstitute.g ithub.io/RelationalThinking-Book/cover.html.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/23/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:David Stern (IDEMS International) DTSTART:20251212T163000Z DTEND:20251212T173000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/24 DESCRIPTION:Title: Impact Activating Mathematics\nby David Stern (IDEMS International) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nThis talk will discuss experi ences of Mathematicians who have immersed themselves in supporting positiv e social impact. Concrete examples will be given which highlight the value of being present in the room\, listening and adding value with basic skil ls. It will also present how taking such a service approach can surprising ly lead to abstractions which pose questions which seem categorical in nat ure. \n\nThe talk will also highlight the value of a collaborative service approach\, when working as a transdisciplinary mathematician\, which is o ften in opposition with competitive nature of Mathematics in our education systems. This observation will lead to a discussion about whether there i s a different approach to education in the Mathematical Sciences which cou ld transform societal perceptions.\n\nSpeaker bio: David is a mathematical scientist who holds a PhD in Algebraic Geometry. David spent his formativ e years in Niger\, where he was exposed to the generosity of families and the power of community best practices and networks for those in extreme po verty.\n\nDavid worked in business\, writing software for banks\, before t uning to a career in social impact. He embedded in a Kenyan university as a lecturer on a local salary. There he experienced first-hand the innumera ble inequalities faced by talented individuals in low-resource environment s.\n\nIn this African context\, David first turned his mathematical skills to impact innovation to support digital and data inclusion in underserved environments and developed the collaborative innovation best practices th at underpin IDEMS.\n\nModerator: This talk is moderated by Ted Theodosopou lus. Ted is a mathematician who\, after working for years in academia and industry\, transitioned to teaching at the pre-college level sixteen years ago\, the last eight at Nueva\, where he teaches math and economics. Ted ’s research background is in the area of interacting stochastic systems\ , with particular applications in biology and economics.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/24/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Relatorium Group DTSTART:20260116T163000Z DTEND:20260116T173000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/25 DESCRIPTION:Title: Looking back at 2025\nby The Relatorium Group as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nAfter a rich second year of Relatoria\, and on the heels of a third successful in-person session\, at the recent Joint Mathem atics Meetings in Washington\, DC\, we are taking a look back at 2025 in o ur first Open Mic event. We invited our speakers back\, to join us for a conversation about the lessons of compassionate mathematics. What have we learned collectively from the Relatorium experience? What themes emerge as connecting principles across the talks? How are the success and challe nges of the year guiding our hopes for the future?\n\nSpeakers: The Relato rium Group\n\nThe Relatorium Group is a collective of more than a dozen re searchers and practitioners in mathematics\, computer science and philosop hy from around the world. We have been exploring innovative modalities fo r communicating\, teaching and learning mathematics. Our approach uses too ls inspired from Applied Category Theory (ACT)\, which focuses broadly on the relational aspects of mathematics. We seek to leverage computational e nvironments organized around principles of compositionality to support the perspectives of the learner in mathematical experiences.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/25/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Mike Titelbaum DTSTART:20260130T163000Z DTEND:20260130T173000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/26 DESCRIPTION:Title: Topological obstacles to shared priors\nby Mike Titelbaum as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nGiven a finite collection of probabilit y measures defined on subsets of a measurable space\, how can we determine if they are compatible\, in the sense that they can be realized as condit ional distributions of a single probability measure on the full space? Thi s formulation of the consistency problem for conditional probabilities is significant in Bayesian epistemology and probabilistic reasoning\, as it d escribes the conditions under which a collection of agents can reach agree ment by sharing information. We derive a necessary and sufficient conditio n under which joint compatibility is equivalent to pairwise compatibility. This condition is stated in terms of the cohomology of a simplicial compl ex constructed from the given probability measures\, exposing a novel appl ication of algebraic topology to Bayesian reasoning.\n\nSpeaker Bio: Micha el G. Titelbaum is a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor in the Depa rtment of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has publi shed Quitting Certainties and Fundamentals of Bayesian Epistemology\, both with Oxford University Press. He received a PhD in Philosophy from the U niversity of California\, Berkeley in 2008. Before doing that\, he was a high school math teacher for four years.\n\n\nModerator: Ted Theodosopoulo s.\nTed is a mathematician who\, after working for years in academia and i ndustry\, transitioned to teaching at the pre-college level sixteen years ago\, the last eight at Nueva\, where he teaches math and economics. Ted ’s research background is in the area of interacting stochastic systems\ , with particular applications in biology and economics.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/26/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Gabriele Carcassi (University of Michigan) DTSTART:20260213T163000Z DTEND:20260213T173000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/27 DESCRIPTION:Title: Open problems in Physical Mathematics\nby Gabriele Carcassi (Univers ity of Michigan) as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nPart of our larger Assumptions of Physics research program\, the aim of Physical Mathe matics is to develop a set of basic mathematical starting points with a cl ear and tight physical justification that can serve as a foundation for al l physical theories. The idea is to have a shared notion of states and pro cesses that can generalize features and theorems common to all physical th eories\, while finding the specific ones through addition of further physi cal assumptions. We will give a short overview of the approach and then fo cus on open problems and mathematical conjectures to foster discussion. In particular\, we will see how a physical theory must at least provide a sp ace of ensembles that must have a T_0 second countable topology\, a convex structure and an entropy. We will see how we can already show that the in terplay between this structure constrains the space\, leading to construct ions that find connection to many areas (e.g. measure theory\, Choquet the ory\, information geometry\, orthogonality spaces\, quantum logic\, ...) a nd we conjecture whether these axioms can already show that an ensemble sp ace is a bounded subset of a locally convex metrizable topological vector space\, or further conditions must be found.\n\nSpeaker bio: \nGabriele Ca rcassi is a researcher in the physics department of the University of Mich igan. Together with prof. Christine A. Aidala\, he leads a research progra m called Assumptions of Physics ( https://assumptionsofphysics.org ) that aims to find a minimum set of physical assumptions from which the laws can be rigorously rederived.\n\nModerator: Ted Theodosopoulos.\nTed is a math ematician who\, after working for years in academia and industry\, transit ioned to teaching at the pre-college level sixteen years ago\, the last ei ght at Nueva\, where he teaches math and economics. Ted’s research backg round is in the area of interacting stochastic systems\, with particular a pplications in biology and economics.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/27/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Tai-Danae Bradley (SandboxAQ) DTSTART:20260227T163000Z DTEND:20260227T173000Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/28 DESCRIPTION:Title: What is a good quantum encoding?\nby Tai-Danae Bradley (SandboxAQ) a s part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nOne aim of quantum machine lea rning is to determine whether quantum computers can provide advantages ove r traditional machine learning. This exploration depends on how classical data is encoded onto a quantum computer\, a choice that can vary significa ntly from one learning task to another. Recent studies have demonstrated t hat identifying relevant mathematical structures in the data can yield val uable insights into what constitutes a good encoding choice. In this talk\ , I will introduce these concepts from a high level and explain how viewin g them through a category-theoretic lens can offer a general\, yet princip led\, perspective on designing quantum encodings that preserve mathematica l structure.\n\nSpeaker bio:\nTai-Danae Bradley is a mathematician and cre ator at SandboxAQ\, a startup company focused on AI and quantum technologi es\, and a visiting research professor of mathematics at The Master’s Un iversity. She has a PhD in mathematics from the CUNY Graduate Center and s pent time as a postdoctoral researcher at X\, The Moonshot Factory (Google X) before joining SandboxAQ. She is the creator of the mathematics blog M ath3ma\, as well as a coauthor of the graduate-level textbook Topology: A Categorical Approach and a former co-host of the PBS YouTube channel “In finite Series”. Her research interests include category theory\, machine intelligence\, and quantum physics.\n\n\nModerator: Ted Theodosopoulos\nT ed is a mathematician who\, after working for years in academia and indust ry\, transitioned to teaching at the pre-college level sixteen years ago\, the last eight at Nueva\, where he teaches math and economics. Ted’s re search background is in the area of interacting stochastic systems\, with particular applications in biology and economics.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/28/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Irfan Alam\, Daniel Reinholz\, Sarah Tillman DTSTART:20260320T153000Z DTEND:20260320T164500Z DTSTAMP:20260422T141513Z UID:CompMath/29 DESCRIPTION:Title: Panel on "Neurodiversity in Mathematics"\nby Irfan Alam\, Daniel Rei nholz\, Sarah Tillman as part of Relatorium seminar\n\n\nAbstract\nSeveral fundamental mathematical discoveries across history were made by mathemat icians who would likely identify with some sort of neurodivergence\, had t hey grown up in the present time when our understanding of different neuro types and associated "invisible" disabilities is more refined and well-und erstood. While our society does value the numerous scientific contribution s of neurodivergent scholars\, it has a tendency to do so by putting them on a pedestal\, by stereotyping them as something akin to a "mad genius". Learning about historical role models who achieved the highest academic su ccess (for example\, Newton\, Erdős\, etc.) can create a sense of pride i n the minds of young aspiring neurodivergent scholars\, but it is not real istic to aim to be the next Newton or the next Erdős. From the point of v iew of disability advocacy within mathematical practice\, it is important to create an approach that celebrates neurodiversity without putting it on an unrealistic pedestal. Therefore\, on the occasion of Neurodiversity Ce lebration Week\, we bring together a group of neurodivergent mathematician s to share their personal testimonies about how their neurodivergent ident ities impacted their academic pursuits. Our dialogue aims to celebrate neu rodiversity in mathematics\, while being mindful about identifying the bar riers to entry that many neurodivergent people face\, so that we can work toward a vision of future mathematical practice that is more inclusive and less ableist.\n\n\nPanelists' bios: \nIrfan Alam is an autistic mathemati cian\, currently working as a postdoctoral fellow at University of Toronto Scarborough. Irfan’s mathematical focus is on applications of nonstanda rd analysis to standard mathematics\, especially in probability theory\, t opology\, and lately in the foundations of machine learning. He also works on the philosophy of mathematical practice\, with particular interests in the history of infinitesimals and in epistemic injustices in mathematics caused by various socio-cultural norms. Since Fall 2022\, he has been on t he autistic research advisory board of the "Autism in Context" lab at the University of Delaware. \n\nDaniel L. Reinholz is a Professor of Mathemati cs and Statistics at San Diego State University. Dr. Reinholz engages in t ransformative research on classroom equity in postsecondary mathematics. T his work has been organized around the development of the EQUIP tool\, whi ch generates actionable data to illuminate subtle patterns of classroom pa rticipation that result in inequities (by race\, gender\, disability\, etc .). These data can be incorporated into robust professional learning oppor tunities through equity learning communities that support instructors to t ransform their teaching. As an autistic and multiply disabled academic\, D r. Reinholz is involved in disability organizing\, and is a co-founder of "Sines of Disability". Dr. Reinholz has published over 75 refereed journal articles\, and is the author of the recent book\, "Equitable and Engaging Mathematics Teaching: A Guide to Disrupting Hierarchies in the Classroom" . Dr. Reinholz’s second solo-authored book\, "Equity Learning Communitie s"\, was published by Harvard Education Press in Fall 2025. Dr. Reinholz a lso has a forthcoming book on disability in the history of mathematics\, t o be published with 619 Wreath later this year.\n\nSarah Tillman is a neur odivergent and disabled independent scholar with a master's degree in appl ied mathematics. Since 2019 she has been on the Autistic research advisory board of the "Autism in Context" lab at the University of Delaware. As pa rt of this work she has co-authored two papers\, one published in "Autism" and the other in "Multiple Voices".\n\n\nModerator bio: Namista Tabassum (MBA) is a neurodivergent person of colour\, and an interdisciplinary rese archer with 10+ years of experience working across business research\, pol icy analysis\, communications\, and operational strategy. She's currently the Labour Market Specialist at WorkLink Employment Society\, where she ap plies cross-sector research to inform evidence-based programs and strategi c communication tools. Her work focuses on translating complex data into p ractical insights that support decision-making in research\, community\, a nd organizational contexts.\n LOCATION:https://researchseminars.org/talk/CompMath/29/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR