Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences

02/06/2026

We were glad to see the Leiden Declaration published today, which calls on mathematicians, research organisations, and governments to act now to ensure AI is used to enhance rather than diminish mathematics.

The declaration sets out 23 recommendations to ensure mathematics remains a discipline grounded in proof, insight, openness, and trust.

It identifies five major risks: unreliable results entering an already overburdened publication system, failures of attribution and copyright, growing dependence on proprietary tools and expensive computing power, the overhyping of AI-driven results, and the danger that mathematics could lose autonomy over its own research agenda.

At the Isaac Newton Institute, we are proud to have played a small but important convening role in the story behind this landmark declaration. The idea for a declaration first took shape in a pub in Cambridge during the 2025 follow-on workshop to the 2017 Big Proof programme, and then after it was drafted in Leiden, some of the authors returned to the INI in April 2026 for workshop on AI and Maths, where they met key people at the IMU.

Read more on the INI website: https://www.newton.ac.uk/news/ini-news/mathematicians-call-for-action-on-ai-to-protect-the-future-of-the-discipline/

Explore the declaration here: https://leidendeclaration.ai/

29/05/2026

What happens when researchers working on operators, graphs and groups are given the chance to think together over time?

Our new video takes viewers inside Operators, Graphs, Groups, the Isaac Newton Institute research programme that ran from 7 July to 17 December 2025.

Featuring organisers Alex Lubotzky (Weizmann Institute of Science), Cornelia Drutu Badea (University of Oxford) and Alan Reid (Rice University), it offers a window into the ideas and conversations behind the programme.

Watch here:

This video features an exclusive interview with the esteemed Organi...

27/05/2026

What’s happening across the mathematical sciences right now?

Each month, the Isaac Newton Institute newsletter brings together the latest news, opportunities and important deadlines for researchers across the UK and beyond. It’s a simple way to stay connected, whether you’re looking for your next collaboration, keeping track of funding calls, or just wanting a clearer picture of the field.

We’re always inspired by the researchers and ideas that shape our programmes, and our newsletter is one way we share those perspectives more widely.

If you’d like to keep up to date and make sure you don’t miss out, sign up today and join our community.

👉 Subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/newton/newsletter-sign-up

26/05/2026

"In June 1925, a 23-year-old Werner Heisenberg travelled to a rock in the North Sea because he was suffering from extreme hay fever. His face was so swollen that he couldn't function..."

This was how Jens Marklof started a particularly fascinating section of his recent talk here at the Isaac Newton Institute.

And why are Heisenberg's allergies relevant? Because they forced him to take time and space away from his regular commitments.

Jens continued:

"He had the time and the peace to think. We, as researchers, need time and peace to think. And it worked for Heisenberg. He developed a spectacular new theory. [The paper is] 15 pages, and it changed the world"

In case you missed it, catch up now on Jens Marklof's Rothschild Lecture on the history of quantum mechanics, what he argues is the most consequential series of discoveries of the last century:

Speaker: Professor Jens Marklof (University of Bristol)Date: 19th May 2026 - 16:00 to 17:00🗓️ Event: (GST) Geometric spectral theory and applications🔗 Find...

20/05/2026

Count on your community this National Numeracy Day. 📏

Every May, brings together individuals, schools, and organisations across the UK to help children and adults build confidence with everyday maths—whether at work, at home, or in the classroom.

If you’re following the Isaac Newton Institute and seeing this post, there’s a good chance you love numbers. But not everyone does! According to Numeracy, almost half of UK adults have low numeracy levels.

But you know how beautiful and interesting mathematics can be!

As experts in mathematics, statistics, and other scientific disciplines, take a moment today to think about how you can help those around you build confidence with maths. Who knows, you could be inspiring a future mathematician who will one day step through our doors and shape the global future of research. 🌟

👉 Take action and find out more: https://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/numeracyday

18/05/2026

A lot can change in 29 years. But some things stay the same.

In preparing for his Rothschild Lecture, Jens Marklof asked if we had any pictures from his first-ever visit to the INI, in 1997.

We went up to loft and dug out the original pictures from that year's annual report, and who should we find standing next to Jens, but Jon Keating! Jon also happened to be in the building last week for a workshop as part of the Geometric Spectral Theory programme.

Shortly after starting his visit at the INI in 1997, Jon would get his first professorship. Jens was starting a six-month post-doctoral residency at the INI, fresh out of his PhD.

They were two young scientists bridging mathematics and physics, right at the beginning of their careers and full of potential. And they had the opportunity to discuss their ideas with leaders in the field like Professor David Thuless, who shared an office with Jens and would go on to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2016.

29 years later, their potential was realised. They are both now Fellows of the Royal Society, distinguished professors at their institutions, with long lists of accolades and research papers.

As the Geometric Spectral Theory programme enters its final month, it's lovely to ponder which young scientists will, in 29 years, reminisce about the time they shared coffee at the INI with Jon and Jens.

The INI gives space and time to brilliant mathematical scientists from around the world so they can collaborate and make progress on difficult problems.

15/05/2026

How do we count geodesics on random hyperbolic surfaces? 🌀

A highlight from this week’s workshop "Random and arithmetic models in spectral theory", was Laura Monk (University of Bristol) giving a fascinating talk on Weil-Petersson surfaces. This field was first popularised by the late Professor Maryam Mirzakhani, whom we celebrated this week for International Day, and remains at the centre of active study today.

We are now in the final weeks of our six-month programme "Geometric spectral theory and applications", which concludes on 26 June 2026. This week's workshop is the last for the programme; thank you to everyone for attending each of our seven workshops over the past six months.

🔗 Workshop details: https://www.newton.ac.uk/event/gstw04/
👉 Programme: https://www.newton.ac.uk/event/gst/

13/05/2026

A father, two of his children, and a family friend came together at the Isaac Newton Institute — and cracked a problem in group theory.

The latest episode of our podcast Living Proof, features four mathematicians who visited the INI during the Operators, Graphs, and Groups programme in 2025: Uri, Saar and Shaked Bader, along with family friend Roman Sauer.

Hosted by Rachel Thomas and Marianne Freiberger from Plus Magazine, the episode explores the family connections, mathematical ideas and collaborative atmosphere behind their work.

Listen to “A family of group theorists” here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1992011/episodes/19127368

12/05/2026

May 12 was the late Professor Maryam Mirzakhani's birthday, and it's celebrated around the world as International Day. It's a time to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and brilliance of women across the mathematical sciences. 📐

We’re reflecting on these words from Prof Mirzakhani. Her legacy reminds us that while the journey of research can be challenging, the "clear view" from the top makes every step worth it.

Happy International Women in Mathematics Day to our colleagues, collaborators, and the global mathematical community. 💚

University of Cambridge International Centre for Mathematical Sciences

11/05/2026

Calling UK PhD students in the mathematical sciences 👋

Applications are open for the UK Graduate Modelling Camp 2026 — a 5‑day, in‑person camp at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences in Cambridge (6–10 July).

It’s designed for early‑career researchers (typically 1st/2nd‑year PhD students) who want hands‑on experience of mathematical modelling: you’ll join a team, tackle a real‑world challenge with mentor support, and present what you’ve built at the end of the week.

🕛 Apply by 12pm (midday) Friday 15 May 2026
Find out more + apply: https://gateway.newton.ac.uk/event/tgm164/

Accommodation and catering are covered for successful applicants (travel not included).

If you know a PhD student who’d benefit, please share this post.