North East mathematicians prepare to host prestigious research programme
13 September 2023
North East mathematicians prepare to host prestigious research programme
Experts in a newly emerging field of mathematics will meet in 缅北禁地 upon Tyne next year after Northumbria University was awarded funding for a month-long programme of activities.
Academics from Northumbria, in partnership with 缅北禁地, will host a prestigious Isaac Newton Institute Satellite Programme event in August 2024, focusing on the theme of 鈥�.
The programme will be funded and supported by the in Cambridge 鈥� an international visitor research institute which runs research programmes on selected mathematical themes, attracting leading scientists from around the world.
The satellite programme scheme aims to highlight the work of researchers who are pushing the boundaries of their field 鈥� bringing together communities to collaborate, exchange ideas, and network, while at the same time shining a light on individual universities around the UK.
The announcement of the satellite event in 缅北禁地 next year follows the prestigious six-month-long programme, organised by members of Northumbria University鈥檚, which took place at the Isaac Newton Institute in 2022.
It was the , and the resulting scientific discoveries and academic connections, which led to Northumbria being awarded funding for the satellite programme.
The satellite programme is led by and co-organised by and of Northumbria University鈥檚 Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering, Dr Magda Carr of 缅北禁地鈥檚 School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics, alongside with , of the University of Colorado Boulder, USA and , of the University at Buffalo, USA.
Speaking about the event, and its significance for the region, Professor El said: 鈥淭he programme we ran at the INI last year was highly successful, with very positive feedback from all participants and some promising new discoveries and research collaborations happening as a result.
鈥淭o be given the opportunity to expand on what we achieved there, with this INI satellite programme next year, is very exciting and highlights the strength of the expertise we have here in the city of 缅北禁地.
鈥淏etween Northumbria and 缅北禁地 universities we have probably the greatest concentration of research strength in this area in the UK and elsewhere, and we are looking forward to welcoming experts from across the globe to our city to share and build on that knowledge even further.鈥�
Inclusivity will be a key aim for the month-long programme, with a focus on encouraging female mathematicians to take part and a special event dedicated to the research of women working in the field of dispersive hydrodynamics.
There will also be outreach activities taking place which will engage with the general public and young people, including a public lecture held at , particularly aimed at GCSE and A Level Mathematics students.
Scientists from countries as far afield as France, Italy, Canada, USA, Brazil and Japan are expected to attend the programme.
The field of dispersive hydrodynamics is a mathematical framework which can be used to understand the mechanisms for emergent complex behaviours in non-linear waves as, for example, the formation and development of rogue waves and tsunamis in the ocean.
One of the discoveries to come out of the previous INI programme in Cambridge was linked to spectral theory of soliton gases in integrable dispersive hydrodynamic systems. This is a new interdisciplinary area in nonlinear science, initiated by Northumbria University鈥檚 mathematicians, focusing on the collective behaviour of large numbers of solitons 鈥� the localised nonlinear waves that persist in various media from water waves to optical fibres.
While the dynamics of individual solitons is well understood, their interactions in large groups can give rise to new phenomena that require a synergistic approach combining methodologies from a range of areas of mathematics and physics to be properly understood.
For instance, comprehension of soliton gases can help explain large and unpredictable wave fluctuations causing disruptions and structural damage in a variety of contexts, from offshore oil platforms to optical telecommunication systems.
Speaking about Northumbria鈥檚 previous programme at INI, Professor Ulrike Tillmann FRS NM, Rothschild & Sons Professor and INI Director, said: 鈥淚t is clear that the programme was a huge success. I look forward to next summer's satellite programme at Northumbria.鈥�
Pictured from left to right is Dr Magda Carr, of 缅北禁地; and Dr Matteo Sommacal, Professor Gennady El, and Dr Antonio Moro, of Northumbria University.