Primes and Resonance: Sophie Germain’s 250th Birthday

An event organised by the University of Oxford and the ICMS, hosted at The Royal Institution, London.

Sophie Germain is remembered for her major contributions to mathematics, ranging from advances in number theory (related to Fermat’s Last Theorem) to foundational results on vibrating plates. She was the first woman to win a major competitive research prize in mathematics.

This event will celebrate her 250th birthday with four general-audience talks, a live demonstration, and a speaker panel bringing her life and work into focus. No specialist background is assumed.

Expect history, Fermat’s Last Theorem, sand figures on vibrating plates, and open questions on primes, moving from deep theory to patterns you can see.

For more information and to register, see: www.sophie-germain.com/250