Heidelberg Laureate Forum Foundation

Today is the International Day of Mathematics – commonly celebrated as Pi Day. The day is a global celebration in honour of mathematics! And this year's theme is "Mathematics, Art and Creativity". The International Day of Mathematics is a project led by the International Mathematical Union and was proclaimed by UNESCO at the 40th session of the General Conference in November 2019. Visit the official website for more information, and check out the events map for all activities around the day: https://www.idm314.org/

Meet Fields Medal recipient Martin Hairer, who is currently Professor of Pure Mathematics at EPFL and the Imperial College London. We were lucky enough to speak with him at the last HLF about his early fascination with mathematics and the circumstances that led to him being rewarded the Fields Medal in 2014. Check out the full interview – part of our extensive “HLFF Laureate Portraits” series – via the link below: https://lnkd.in/eJBix6hj

March 14 is commonly celebrated as Pi Day or – since its official inauguration by UNESCO in 2019 – as the International Day of Mathematics. In honor of this special day, and inspired by a recent trip to Paris, our blogger Katie Steckles set out to find connections between the circle constant Pi (π) and the research of French mathematicians listed on the Eiffel Tower. Check out our new article: https://lnkd.in/eCMbvZHU

We have another interesting collaboration with the HLFF Inspiring Minds Project coming up! Inspiring Talk: My Career Journey from ACM Prize in Computing laureate Yael Tauman Kalai, taking place on March 13, 2025 from 5pm to 6pm CET (UTC+1). Click here to find out more and register for the event: https://lnkd.in/eDBZ8MHS

To all our HLF alumni – again this year, we will be providing 20 selected alumni the opportunity to attend the 12th Heidelberg Laureate Forum in September, 2025! As an attending HLF alumnus or alumna, you will not only get the chance to come back to Heidelberg, but will also be part of this year’s HLF program. Take this chance and apply via the online tool by March 19, 2025: https://lnkd.in/ek8t_6RY

Congratulations, Andrew Barto and Richard Sutton, on this amazing achievement! We would be honored to welcome you at the next Heidelberg Laureate Forum this year!

Do you want to get a glimpse into the highlights of the 11th Heidelberg Laureate Forum which took place In September, 2024? Check out our Highlight Video for some impressions of #HLF24! https://lnkd.in/giWySZm7

The Antikythera Mechanism – often called the world’s first analog computer – has baffled researchers for over a century. Discovered in a Roman-era shipwreck, this intricate, gear-driven device tracked celestial movements with astonishing precision. But one critical question remained: How many holes did its calendar ring contain, and what did that reveal about its purpose? Read the full story to discover how Bayesian inference helped crack an ancient code and what it means for our understanding of this early technology: https://lnkd.in/grYeE3K3

We take it for granted today, but the internet is one of the most impactful inventions of modern times – possibly even of all time. But how did it all start? The story of the internet is a fascinating journey through the minds of visionary thinkers and relentless innovators, many of them coming from mathematics and computer science. In part 4 of our series on the internet, HLFF Blogger Andrei Mihai looks at the contributions of Douglas Engelbart, who envisioned a future where computers would enhance problem-solving, simplify complex tasks, and increase capability across a range of professions. From inventing the mouse to pioneering hyperlinks, his innovations shaped the internet we use today. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gzSy8sFm

The application phase for HLF alumni to attend the 12th Heidelberg Laureate Forum has started and will run until Monday, March 17, 2025! 20 alumni will have the opportunity to come back to Heidelberg and be part of the HLF again, which will take place September 14 -19, 2025. We will incorporate the accepted alumni into the HLF program as session hosts, panelists, input givers, interviewers, interviewees, etc. In addition, we will also be holding special activities for the 20 selected HLF alumni during the week. So, if you are a HLF alumnus/alumna and want to be part of the HLF again – then seize the opportunity and apply via the online tool: https://lnkd.in/ek8t_6RY