Simons Foundation Lectures
Mathematics and Computer Science: Randomness
The 2026 lecture series in mathematics and computer science is “Randomness.” Beyond being a source of uncertainty, randomness can also be a powerful tool for discovery. Topics will include random walks and surfaces, randomized algorithms, harmonic and Fourier analysis, and the geometry of complex systems. These lectures will also highlight surprising applications — from shuffling cards to fair voting — and advances in analysis and number theory, illustrating how randomness drives both fundamental insights and practical outcomes.
Past Lectures
Do Mathematicians Need Computers?
Martin Hairer, Ph.D.Professor of Pure Mathematics , École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Imperial College London
Martin Hairer, Ph.D.Professor of Pure Mathematics , École Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneImperial College London
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Neural Networks for Mathematical Discovery
Geordie Williamson, Ph.D.Director of the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute and Professor of Mathematics , University of Sydney
Geordie Williamson, Ph.D.Director of the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute and Professor of Mathematics , University of Sydney - Lecture
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Where is Mathematics Going?
Kevin Buzzard, Ph.D.Professor of Pure Mathematics Department of Mathematics - Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London
Kevin Buzzard, Ph.D.Professor of Pure Mathematics Department of Mathematics - Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London - Lecture
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Wave Localization and the Hidden Structure of Disorder
Svitlana Mayboroda, Ph.D.McKnight Presidential Professor, University of Minnesota
Svitlana Mayboroda, Ph.D.McKnight Presidential Professor, University of Minnesota - Lecture
Databases and Discovery in Arithmetic
Brendan Hassett, Ph.D.Jonathan Nelson University Professor of Mathematics
Director of the Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics, Brown University
Brendan Hassett, Ph.D.Jonathan Nelson University Professor of MathematicsDirector of the Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics, Brown University
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Verified Collaboration: How Lean is Transforming Mathematics, Programming, and AI
Leonardo de Moura, Ph.D.Senior Principal Applied Scientist, Automated Reasoning Group, Amazon Web Services
Leonardo de Moura, Ph.D.Senior Principal Applied Scientist, Automated Reasoning Group, Amazon Web Services - Lecture
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