Weekly bulletin - next week

Inspired by the Global Mathematics Conference held at ANU in July, we propose to start a reading group on the History of Mathematics, reading primary sources wherever possible, using available translations as required. Our first meeting will tackle Napier’s 1614 publication on logarithms Mirifici Logarithmorum Canonis Descriptio.  The document – in Latin and English – can be accessed here, There will also be hard copies available at the meeting for anyone who wants to participate in the discussion or just listen and observe – either way you are very welcome to join us.

Join us at the Mathematical Sciences Institute (MSI) as we celebrate the outstanding achievement of the Australian national capital winners of the International Mathematical Modeling Challenge (IMMC) 2026.

Winners

• Niaz Khan
• Sam Sheppard
• Andrew Wines
• Senuka Kudage
• Oliver Feitz
• Sophie Fisher

This special event will feature a 20-minute presentation by the winning team from Canberra College, who will showcase their innovative solution to a global challenge—designing and informing protecting planning a large and complex wildlife reserve. Their project explores and considers how limited human and technological resources can be coordinated to protect wildlife across the park over time, and how protection can be defined and measure in a realistic, practical, and quantitative way.

Following the student presentation, Professor Barry Croke will deliver a short talk, offering reflections on mathematical modelling and its real-world applications.

Title: Modelling ecosystem populations

Abstract: Understanding the interactions between species is an important part of modelling ecosystems. This talk will explore the use of ODE-based models to capture the dynamics between different species (predator-prey models), Bayesian Networks as well as time series models. I will give some examples of models that include impacts on ecosystems, including the Goulburn-Broken catchment in Victoria and coastal lakes.

This event is open to all staff, students, and members of the public with an interest in applied mathematics.