University of Sydney Mathematical Research Institute

Based on prestigious overseas models, our Sydney Mathematical Research Institute is transforming mathematics as a discipline in Australia and enabling our country to reap the long-term benefits of that transformation.

The Institute invites applications from mathematical researchers from all over the world to visit, placing Australia in general, and the University of Sydney in particular, at the heart of international mathematics. The visiting mathematicians enrich the local research environment and enable conference organisers to host more international speakers.

Successful applicants selected by the Scientific Advisory Committee travel to Sydney for a residency in the Institute, which offers international mathematicians the chance to focus on research without the usual demands of teaching and administration.

The Institute’s visitor program funds more than 30 visiting researchers each year in all areas of the mathematical sciences. Other visiting researchers are located with them to create a vibrant and creative environment.

The University of Sydney is a leader in mathematics and statistics research, being the only Australian university to have received a rating of 5 out of 5 for research in Mathematical Sciences in all four of the federal government’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) rounds. The Institute’s visitors primarily work with the researchers in the School of Mathematics and Statistics. 

It is through undertaking collaborative mathematical sciences research that real creativity occurs – this is at the heart of the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute.

Generous donor support

The establishment of the Institute was made possible by the generous support of our donors:

• Simon Marais Foundation
• Hooper Shaw Foundation
• Dr Philipp Hofflin and Dr Rebekah Jenkin.

Pairing research with public outreach

Maths is becoming more and more important in all aspects of society, so it is exciting for the public to get an insight into the incredible beauty of mathematics.

In addition to supporting a broad range of mathematical research, the Institute hosts conferences, workshops and talks for both academic and general audiences. The Institute's public outreach programs are crucial to our work.

Affiliations

• Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI): the University of Sydney is an institutional member, so the Institute is part of this relationship. The Director of AMSI is an ex officio member of the Institute’s Advisory Board.
• MAThematical Research Institute (MATRIX): a Director of MATRIX is an ex officio member of the Institute’s Advisory Board.

Our team

Director

Professor Geordie Williamson

Executive Director

Professor Anthony Henderson

Executive Officer

Kate Ridler
Email: smri.exec@sydney.edu.au

Administration Officer

Hannah Bryant
Email: smri.admin@sydney.edu.au

Senior Science Communicator

Dr Stephen Morgan
Email: stephen.morgan@sydney.edu.au

Advisory Board

The Advisory Board for 2020 consists of:

• Chair: Professor Samuel Muller (University of Sydney)
• Professor Celine Boehm (University of Sydney)
• Professor Tim Brown (Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute)
• Professor Helen Byrne (University of Oxford)
• Professor Jan de Gier (University of Melbourne and MATRIX)
• Dr Philipp Hofflin
• Professor Cheryl Praeger (University of Western Australia)
• Professor Terence Tao (University of California, Los Angeles)
• Professor Geordie Williamson (University of Sydney)
• Professor Iain Young (University of Sydney)

Scientific Advisory Committee

The Scientific Advisory Committee for 2020 consists of:

• Chair: Professor Geordie Williamson (University of Sydney)
• Associate Professor Eduardo Altmann (University of Sydney)
• Dr Lamiae Azizi (University of Sydney)
• Professor Hugo Duminil-Copin (Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques)
• Dr Alexander Fish (University of Sydney)
• Professor Bruce Henry (University of New South Wales)
• Professor Susan Holmes (Stanford University)
• Professor Nalini Joshi (University of Sydney)
• Professor Frances Kirwan (University of Oxford)
• Professor Samuel Muller (University of Sydney)