Inaugural Lecture: Professor Rob Sturman, School of Mathematics
- Date: Wednesday 23 October 2024, 15:45 – 18:00
- Location: Esther Simpson Building, Lyddon Terrace, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2
- Type: Inaugural Lecture
- Cost: Free
Join us for an upcoming Inaugural Lecture on 23 October as we welcome Rob Sturman, Professor of Dynamical Systems in the School of Mathematics.
An inaugural lecture is a significant milestone in any academic’s career, recognising their promotion to Professor. It also offers an opportunity for our new professorial colleagues to showcase their work and innovative research with a broad audience, including members of the public, family, friends, and colleagues.
This lecture is part of a Faculty-wide series that celebrates those who have joined the University to offer ever greater teaching, research, and expertise across our eight Schools.
About this lecture
Dynamical systems describe the behaviour of processes which evolve in time and are used to model phenomena in just about every conceivable branch of science, engineering and technology. They can be studied using several different mathematical approaches: for example, analytical, geometrical, topological, or numerical.
Professor Sturman is interested in the approach of ergodic theory, which aims to study long-term statistical properties of deterministic behaviour. Maps are discrete time dynamical systems, and in this lecture, “Three Simple Maps, and the Birkhoff Ergodic Theorem”, he will describe three very straightforward examples, which he will use to produce some fundamental possible dynamical behaviour, such as periodicity, aperiodicity, and chaotic motion, as well as illustrate the famous Ergodic Theorem of George David Birkhoff.
Armed with these three simple maps, he will combine them in interesting ways and see the intricate results of these interactions. In each case, the Birkhoff Ergodic Theorem helps reveal properties of mathematical and practical interest.
About our speaker
Professor Rob Sturman is Pro-Dean International for the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Leeds, and so is responsible for the development and delivery of the international strategy in research, innovation and student education for all eight Schools. He works with colleagues from all Faculties at Leeds to boost the University’s global profile and standing and to generate research and educational opportunities with overseas partners.
Rob has been at Leeds as a permanent member of staff in Mathematics since November 2006, having previously been a researcher at Bristol, Leeds and Exeter. He is now Professor of Dynamical Systems in the School of Mathematics.
His PhD is from University College London. In mathematics research, he works in the field of nonlinear dynamics, and in particular, applications of ergodic theory to practical fluid mixing problems.
He co-authored a book, The Mathematical Foundations of Mixing, which argues that linked twist maps are the fundamental mathematical blueprint for a wide variety of fluid mixing device, and has modelled devices used in DNA hybridisation, granular mixing, and other engineering applications. Rob is also active in teaching innovation, and has been awarded a University Student Education Fellowship, with which he developed the provision of computational mathematics as part of the Leeds Mathematics degree.
He has given public lectures in mathematics on topics as diverse as the mathematics of musical tuning, the small-world phenomenon, fractal geometry in art and design, and the combinatorics of English bellringing.
Book your place
The lecture will take place in the Esther Simpson Building at the University of Leeds, with arrival and registration from 3:45pm in the Esther Simpson Café, and the lecture commencing at 4pm in Esther Simpson Lecture Theatre 1.01. This will be followed by a drinks reception in the Esther Simpson Café from 5pm.