Arun Ram: ART seminars

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 October 2025

Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 21 October 2025
Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
Title: Working on the chain gang
Abstract: This will be a story of a recent experience working with Persi Diaconis and Andrew Lin on a Markov chain.
Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 28 October January 2025
Presenter/facilitator: Aru Ray and Arun Ram
Title: All those music questions
Abstract: Aru will ask all those music questions and Arun will try to respond. If you have music questions to add to Aru's list please send them to Aru.
Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 7 October January 2025
Presenter/facilitator: Ben Gaudin
Title: From Steam Engines to CFT's: A Soft Introduction to Statistical Mechanics
Abstract: The field of statistical mechanics provides a rich landscape on which, for nearly two centuries, mathematicians have been able to improve our understanding of how matter behaves. This talk will serve as a journey through the history of the discipline, starting in the early 19th century and proceeding through worked examples of some canonical models and how the field has diversified in modern times. In doing so, the fundamental ideas that underpin the field will be revealed and some more recent work will be explored.
Music Intro: Quarantine from the First Man Soundtrack https://youtu.be/rNc9cXx4lY0?si=b1fPBT729Xucdvhe and https://youtu.be/bC5TZ4AUTXg?si=M6JxTVPDR83UMaxE
Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 14 October 2025
Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
Title: The theoretical minimum: What you need to know to start doing Representation Theory
Abstract: This will be a talk based on the idea of Leonard Susskind's books titled "The theoretical minimum, what you need to know to start doing physics". The plan is that this will be the first in a series of "The theoretical minimum" talks.
Music Intro: Shiori Kuwahara - first Round Chopin Competition 2025 https://youtu.be/SPS49pGfcyk?si=qT08MZ_Ola5iE8uU

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: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 1????? 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

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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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

Seminars in June 2025

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
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.
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
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.
Music Intro: The fight scene from Gounod's opera Romeo and Juliet, Metropolitan Opera https://youtu.be/4OwOyFdDQVE?si=gnXMVkLgJ82aOSXn

Seminars in July 2025

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 fields act as if they are finite sets. Will will walk us through this masterpiece of mathematical logic.
Music Intro: Leon Fleischer String theory https://youtu.be/MlVV5Ngv64M?si=P7GPQ0CJRHCUKFfK
Location: Old Geology Theatre 1 University of Melbourne
Time: 14:30-18:30 on Tuesday 1 July 2025
There will be no regular ART seminar as all of us want to attend the miniconference
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 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 Koornwinder case.
Music Intro: Martha Argerich Encore https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB17bfI7gvw
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.
Music Intro: Anna Netrebko Moussorgsky's The Nursery https://youtu.be/ykzW_x1IRho?si=g2KYaPew_o9PlyB4

Seminars in August 2025

Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 5 August 2025
Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
Title: Proof Machine
Abstract: There is one tool that has saved my mathematical confidence (and career) more times than any other, my Proof Machine. In this talk I will discuss the theory behind how (and why) it works, and power it up and show how it works on a few examples. With a little practice wielding the hammer anyone can use the Proof Machine to build rock solid proofs, both within mathematics and also outside mathematics.
Music Intro: Henryk Szeryng Bach Fugue from Sonata No. 2 https://youtu.be/YFjpvZefMpA?si=x2hYukZsuF24y0lI
Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 12 August 2025
Presenter/facilitator: Ryan Mickler
Title: The Structure of Jack Littlewood-Richardson Coefficients
Abstract: One of the foundational results in the theory of symmetric functions is due to Littlewood-Richardson (1934), which provides an enumerative combinatorial description of the multiplication coefficients for Schur symmetric functions. After briefly reviewing the LR Theorem, we discuss the generalisation to the case of Jack symmetric functions, which are an important one-parameter deformation of Schur functions. Here far less is known about the corresponding multiplication coefficients. In 1989 Richard Stanley, building on the work of Macdonald, conjectured that several structural properties of these coefficients should hold. Although some aspects have been proven, the, the coefficients remain mysterious. We will describe some new results capturing novel relations between these coefficients, and make concrete conjectures about their general structure and outline a potential method for a proof of Stanley's conjectures.
Music Intro: Corelli Concerto Grosso `fatto per la notte di natale' https://youtu.be/ZnJ39nxHDcE?si=2Y8u4DkFKmVhPWsk
Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 19 August 2025
Presenter/facilitator: Andres Puteri
Title: Perspectives on Melbourne mathematical education from a first year undergraduate
Abstract: In this talk, I'll discuss what works, what doesn't, and what surprised me most about transitioning from high school to university mathematics. I'll share practical insights into the learning curve, the shift in expectations, and the mindset changes required - drawing not only from my own experience, but also from the perspectives of other first-year students.
Music Intro: Kodaly Hary Janos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1faCENf0QD4&list=OLAK5uy_kA9wS_egwn3-eNoe0Q_HXuy9OkzFVQwuU
Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 26 August 2025
Interviewer: Aru Ray -- Special guest Luke Bennetts
Title: The Omar Khayyam show with special guest Luke Bennetts
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: Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby https://youtu.be/rog8ou-ZepE?si=vZyA5zUTcpzoVVy1

Seminars in September 2025

Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 2 September 2025
Presenter/facilitator: Arun Ram
Title: How to write a winning grant proposal
Abstract: I'll walk through the dos and don'ts of grant proposal writing.
Music Intro: ABBA Money Money Money https://youtu.be/xIzsc_FHww8?si=JYJ7VU-qWUEi1KN7
Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 9 September 2025
Presenter/facilitator: Aru Ray
Title: A sketch of the proof of the 4-dimensional topological Poincare conjecture
Abstract: The 4-dimensional topological Poincare conjecture was proven by Freedman in the early 1980s, using a remarkable combination of tools. In this talk Aru will sketch an outline of the argument, which draws inspiration from Smale's h-cobordism theorem. The goal is for the talk to be accessible to beginning MSc students in topology -- prerequisites include basics of point-set topology, homotopy equivalences, and homotopy/homology groups.
Music Intro: Richard Strauss Also Sprach Zarathustra https://youtu.be/heXbrEWWQ34?si=80qqjyfk_LP2V2zN
Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 16 September 2025
Interviewer: Nora Ganter
Title: The Omar Khayyam show with special guest Lior Yanovski
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: The Ecstasy of Gold - Ennio Morricone (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) https://youtu.be/PYI09PMNazw?si=BDuwR3p630aGVT3r
Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 23 September 2025
Presenter/facilitator: Aru Ray and Arun Ram
Title: The 10 Math proofs every undergraduate should learn
Abstract: Each of us will choose 5 results to present that every undergraduate should know about and understand.
Music Intro: Nicol Williamson - The Hobbit https://youtu.be/msbnY24FH2A?si=tfRfUvou8QrZOhPi
Location: Room 162 Peter Hall Building University of Melbourne
Time: 15:30-17:00 on Tuesday 30 September 2025
Presenter/facilitator: NO SEMINAR THIS WEEK
Title: NO SEMINAR THIS WEEK
Abstract: NO SEMINAR THIS WEEK