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ARTseminarimage

Arun Ram

Department of Mathematics and Statistics
University of Melbourne
Parkville VIC 3010 Australia
aram@unimelb.edu.au

ART could stand for, Arun's Rehearsal Time, or Around Research and Teaching, or Advanced Representation Theory, or Advice Reactions and Tribulations, or Art Revelations and Transcendence. All of these could be suitable titles for this seminar, depending on the week. Sometimes there will be outside speakers, and sometimes it will a collection of thoughts and material curated by the organizer or some other speaker.

EVERYONE is welcome to attend and participate. Please do contact me if you have even the slightest interest in presenting in this seminar. There are no "rules" for this seminar. Let's discuss.

Seminars in June 2025

  1. Location: NOTE UNUSUAL VENUE DUE TO WORKS IN CORRIDOR -- WHEN WORKS ARE COMPLETE THE VENUE WILL CHANGE BACK TO Room 162
    Old Geology Theatre 1 Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 24 June 2025

    Presenter/facilitator: Aru Ray and Arun Ram

    Title: The big fight: Aru Ray versus Arun Ram

    Abstract: Aru and Arun will debate the burning questions around career development and career management: how many papers to write, how to get a job, how to win over your competitors, how to get promoted, how to write a CV, what to write on a job application, how to get grants, etc. Debate is the nice way to say it -- Knock down drag out fight is more along the lines of what will happen. Only one competitor will be left standing at the end. The other will be taken away on a stretcher.

    If you have a question you'd like included in the debate, please send it to one of us.

  2. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 3 June 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Tesselations, alcoves and Catalan magic
    Abstract: An amazing q-t-generalization of Catalan numbers discoverd by Garsia and Haiman in the early 90s has had an exciting development with connections to many other fields.
    Music Intro: Mahler Symphony No. 1 first Movement, Klaus Tennstedt, Chicago Symphony https://youtu.be/kTI3e4Yv9GU?si=CGiwTGwPmqNwA7QM

  3. Location: NOTE UNUSUAL VENUE DUE TO WORKS IN CORRIDOR
    Old Geology Theatre 1 Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 10 June 2025
    Presenter: Hyam Rubinstein
    Title: The history of topology in Australia
    Abstract: Hyam will tell us about the developers and progression of topology research in the Australian community.

  4. Location: NOTE UNUSUAL VENUE DUE TO WORKS IN CORRIDOR -- WHEN WORKS ARE COMPLETE THE VENUE WILL CHANGE BACK TO Room 162
    Old Geology Theatre 1 Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 17 June 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: What I learned teaching Calculus this semester
    Abstract: Every time I teach calculus I learn new and beautiful things. This will be a summary of new realizations from this semester's teaching.
    Music Intro: Mari Kodama - Beethoven Für Elise https://youtu.be/gGmVNLG2qZc?si=X2FGTURjXtU_dAy6

The program below is currently under construction. Some ideas are below but the ordering and timing and topics are, at the moment, only suggestive and may change. Please give me your suggestions and requests regarding the program.

Please do contact me if you have even the slightest interest in presenting in this seminar. There are no "rules" for this seminar. Let's discuss.

Possible future seminars: Tell Arun Ram if you have an interest in having any of these in the Seminar

  • Location: Old Geology Theatre 1 University of Melbourne
    Time: 14:30-18:30 on Tuesday 1 July January 2025
    There will be no regular ART seminar as all of us want to attend the miniconference https://clisby.net/guttmann2025/program/
    https://clisby.net/guttmann2025/program/
    See you there! in Old Geology Theatre 1.

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 8 July January 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Koornwinder polynomials
    Abstract: This will be a dress rehearsal for the talk I will give in Brisbane the following week. It is on work I am completing which is joint with Laura Colmenarejo and Lucas Gagnon. Basically this work generalizes the work in my paper with Weiying Guo to the Koonwinder case.

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 15 July 2025 (NO SEMINAR ON THIS DATE)
    Persenter/Facilitator: NO SEMINAR THIS WEEK
    Title: NO SEMINAR THIS WEEK
    Abstract: NO SEMINAR THIS WEEK

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 22 July 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Aru Ray
    Title: Fundamentals of course design
    Abstract: This talk will contain all the secrets on how to design great undergraduate math courses in the US, in Germany and in Australia. We'd like to know if you agree with the differences, and the methods.

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 29 July 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Will Troiani
    Title: The Ax-Grothendieck theorem
    Abstract: The Ax-Grothendieck theorem essentially says that all algebraically closed field act as if they are finite sets. Will will walk us through this masterpiece of mathematical logic.

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ????? January 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Scenes from the movie Amadeus
    Abstract: This talk will be an analysis of selected music, delivery, content from the movie and how it relates to a career in mathematics research.

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ????? January 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Readings
    Abstract: Readings from favorites: Feynman, Anne of Green Gables, Solzhenitsyn, Consuelo, Tolkein, ... TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ????? January 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Some poems
    Abstract: Sunbeams, Queensland, The Mossman Cane cutters, Come let's away to prison, BeHolding, The tallest of the pines, TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ?????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Compiling and curating 40 years of Calculus teaching
    Abstract: What do we actually teach in Calculus? What are good ways to say this? to 19 year olds? We'll explore why and how this is the most thrilling and midblowing activity one can undertake in a lifetime.

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Thinking about discovery model learning
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: A new plan for the undergraduate math curriculum
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Why learn Chapter II of Macdonald' book on symmetric functions?
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Why learn Chapter II of Macdonald' book on symmetric functions?
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Career secrets: How to be a mentor
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Career secrets: How to be a member of the hiring committee
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Career secrets: How to apply for grants
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Career secrets: How to write reports
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Career secrets: How to write recommendation letters
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Career secrets: How to get a job
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Career secrets: How to practice effectively
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Career secrets: How to procrastinate
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Career secrets: How to spend money
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Career secrets: How to host visitors
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Career Secrets: The inquisition
    Abstract: TBA

  • Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday ???????? 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Career secrets: Shoes
    Abstract: TBA

Seminars in January 2025

  1. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 28 January 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: A perspective on the Indian mathematics research community
    Abstract: A review of the Indian mathematical research community of the last 40 years and a look into the 21st century. Who are the big players? What are the key insitutions? What are the mechanisms and avenues for collaboration and stimulation?
    Music Intro: Sujaat Khan This Pale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29b_QKhqamo

  2. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 21 January 2025
    Interviewer: Arun Ram -- Special guest: Aru Ray
    Title: The Omar Khayyam show with special guest Aru Ray
    Abstract: This session will be modeled on shows like the Johnny Carson Show, or David Letterman, where special guests come in for a chat.
    Music Intro: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan -- Daiya Daiya Daiya Re https://youtu.be/6iAVZr7aAJQ?si=QILyJpWnZhuATurZ

  3. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 14 January 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Formulas for Macdonald polynomials
    Abstract: Which formula is the best? To 'quote' Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Yes, I know there are other composers in Vienna, but I'm the best.
    Music Intro: Pauline Viardot Aimez Moi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8oDcIZeq7A

  4. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 7 January 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Vector calculus in 4 pages
    Abstract: Can I write a 4 page vector calculus book? What should be put on each page?
    Music Intro: The Beths -- Expert in a Dying Field https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KACt6YhOyY

Seminars in February 2025

  1. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 4 February 2025
    Interviewer: Arun Ram -- Special guest Jonathan Gruber
    Title: The Omar Khayyam show with special guest Jonathan Gruber
    Abstract: This session will be modeled on shows like the Johnny Carson Show, or David Letterman, where special guests come in for a chat.
    Music intro: Rita Payes Tiny Desk Concert https://youtu.be/ZVEeAxeyAPU?si=GT9UYAPA5SsMUTL8

  2. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 11 February 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Marcy Robertson
    Title: How to categorify Z hat
    Abstract: Problems arise when you want to do algebra with groups, rings, etc that have some topology. For example, topological abelian groups don't form an abelian category. Condensed math is a new formalism coming from work of Clausen and Scholtze which resolves some of these problems. I'll give a short introduction to condensed math, focused on examples coming from topological groups, to illustrate the properties of this new topology. On audience request, I'll also provide some explanation of the set theoretic issues which make this topology slightly formidable.
    Music intro: Norah Jones Austin City Limits Music Festival 2024 -- Staring at the wall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUJjwerA5-s&t=2362s

  3. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 18 February 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Will Troiani (Melbourne connectionist)
    Title: Patterns of Thought: A Philosophical Journey Through Mathematics and Music
    Abstract: What connects the precision of mathematics to the expressiveness of music? In this lecture, inspired by Edward Rothstein’s Emblems of Mind, I will explore the philosophical underpinnings of these two disciplines and their shared ability to capture the structure of experience. Drawing on personal reflections, I will examine how mathematics and music shape how we think, feel, and interpret the world. Why do they both resonate so deeply with ideas of harmony, balance, and tension? What does it mean to create or discover within these fields? This talk invites you to consider how logic and emotion, abstraction and immediacy, can converge to illuminate not just the external world, but the inner workings of our minds.
    Music intro: Obdurate Fleet -- Klipso Island (Is a Place in the Sky) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJovdb4vmP8

  4. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 25 February January 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Sofia Carbonara (Melbourne percussionist)
    Title:"You Have to Play the Notes!" : Music, Mathematics, and Lessons from Proof Machine
    Abstract: Proof Machine is an ongoing performance project co-created by percussionist Sofia Carbonara and mathematician Arun Ram. Carbonara and Ram explore lessons from mathematics, music, personal history, and Ram's "proof machine" -- a recipe for logical argumentation -- through contemporary music. What does it mean to "play the notes" in music and mathematics? How can "assume the ifs, to prove the thens" be actualized in performance, and what can this mathematical phrase teach us about practice and creativity? Sofia investigates these questions through discussion of Proof Machine and their own research in embodied cognition, phenomenology, and creative music.
    Music Intro: THe Australian ART orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLo7lj1lhrA

Seminars in March 2025

  1. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 4 March 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Beautiful gems from Calculus -- Compiling and curating 40 years of calculus teacihng
    Abstract: This semester I'm teaching Calculus 1. Once again I am blown away by the amazing beautiful gems found here. What do we actually teach in Calculus? What are good ways to say this? to 19 year olds? We'll explore why and how this is the most thrilling and midblowing activity one can undertake in a lifetime.
    Music Intro: Beethoven quartet Op. 133 Movement 3 -- Amadeus Quartet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te3j_Gqr1l0

  2. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 11 March 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: I'm degenerating
    Abstract: Let's look at some easy examples of degenerations. In this talk I'll degenerate to the rational Cherednik algebra and its polynomial representation. (Continuous functions degenerate to their linear approximations, varieties degnerate to tropical vareieties, groups degenerate to Lie algebras, Macdonald polynomials dengerate to Jack polynomials, K-theory degenerates to cohomology, quantum groups degenerate to Yangians.)
    Music Intro: Martin Frost -- The Dollhouse https://youtu.be/XzlW9MxHmEI?si=pO7Crok2QAHXIFha

  3. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 18 March 2025
    Interviewer: Arun Ram -- Special guest Justin Lanier
    Title: The Omar Khayyam show with special guest Justin Lanier
    Abstract: This session will be modeled on Shows like the Johnny Carson Show, or David Letterman, where special guests come in for a chat.
    Music Intro: Michael Hedges -- Because it's there https://youtu.be/5vKvLYmmMPc?si=FoBi4CAT48J9Fyns

  4. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 25 March 2025
    Presenter/Facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Getting started with an MSc research project advisor (focus: Aurore Delaigle)
    Abstract: I'm doing a Math Masters and I should organise a research project advisor. How do I get into this? How do I read a paper?
    Music Intro: La cabane au fond du jardin - Jardin d'hiver https://youtu.be/7hXEUjL1of8?si=akZxbbJ51UY-QWXJ

Seminars in April 2025

  1. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 1 April 2025
    Persenter/Facilitator: Arun Ram,
    Title: It's a numberful world (part I: clocks, freedom and addicts)
    Abstract: 10 wonderful numberful number systems for children (and adults).
    Music intro: Louis Armstrong -- What a wonderful world https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaCSuzR4DwM

  2. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 8 April 2025
    Persenter/Facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Getting started with an MSc research project advisor (focus: Robyn Araujo)
    Abstract: I'm doing a Math Masters and I should organise a research project advisor. How do I get into this? How do I read a paper?
    Music intro: Roby Lakatos -- Two Guitars https://youtu.be/blU9gmJx1l0?si=JXmWJRbUbVw4SAQ1

  3. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 15 April 2025
    Interviewer: Arun Ram
    Title: The Omar Khayyam show with special guest Marco Carfagnini
    Abstract: This session will be modeled on shows like the Johnny Carson Show, or David Letterman, where special guests come in for a chat.
    Music intro: Paolo Conte - Un Gelato al Limon https://youtu.be/TZeEkXyq6z0?si=O6ggcGVOVDUT9Mir

  4. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 22 April 2025 (NO SEMINAR ON THIS DATE)
    Persenter/Facilitator: NO SEMINAR THIS WEEK
    Title: NO SEMINAR THIS WEEK
    Abstract: NO SEMINAR THIS WEEK

  5. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 29 April 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Hayden Taylor
    Title: Getting into classical music
    Abstract: Let's learn how to tell the difference between a viola, a violin and a cello, distinguish betwee different pieces and periods. Learn how to listen with your friends and hence partake in an ancient tradition that has brought joy, intrigue, sadness, excitement, to many people.
    Featured Music: Mozart Symphony No. 40: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyQ-POuTNn8

Seminars in May 2025

  1. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 6 May 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Thorsten Hertl
    Title: The crazy zoo of wild topological spaces
    Abstract: The definition of a topological space is a very general one - of too general to reasonably work with. Inside the category of topological spaces sits the category of CW complexes, which is reasonably behaved, and often, topologists restrict their attention to this subcategory. This makes sense, because constructions can be carried out inductively over the cells, and all commonly used invariants behave as expected. This begs the question: What happens if we leave our safe space?
    After a brief recollection of CW-complexes, I will present examples of 'wild' topological space that exhibit peculiar phenomena. For example, I will explain why the Hawaiian earrings have an even bigger fundamental group than you would expect, or give an example of a space that has non-trivial real homology groups in degrees far beyond its dimension.
    The talk is accessible to anyone with mild previous knowledge in topology (fundamental group and homology suffices).
    Music Intro: Of Monsters and Men -- Dirty Paws https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y25LDO6OLzQ&t=282s

  2. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 13 May 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Rory Yarr
    Title: Tessellating the Plane: from periodic tilings to Hat and Spectre
    Abstract: From periodic frieze groups, lattices and wallpaper groups to the aperiodic Hat and Spectre!
    Music Intro: Shostakovich Prelude and Fugue No. 2 played by Tatiana Nikolayeva https://youtu.be/ZyURjdnYQaU?si=vegxIvdLhXS8RZ9z

  3. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 20 May 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Aru Ray
    Title: Readings - Poems, paragraphs, excerpts and vignettes
    Abstract: Bring your favourite poem, paragraph, excerpt or vignette to share.
    Music Intro: Schubert song: Der Lindenbaum -- Sung by Thomas Hampson https://youtu.be/uUa73KMES7s?si=yHKaeEya_ZXZJ1bW

  4. Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
    Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 27 May 2025
    Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
    Title: Career Secrets - Shoes and Money
    Abstract: No matter what field you are in, shoes and money are very useful for career success. We'll discuss philosophy, motivation and applications of shoes and money.
    Music Intro: If I were a Rich Man from Fiddler on the Roof -- Wayne Kennedy https://youtu.be/mqx6k31AC2o?si=TbvuivPenhEJ007P