- Oxford University Invariant Society
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Oxford University Invariant Society 
Abbreviation The Invariants Type Student Organisation Purpose/focus Education Headquarters Mathematical Institute Location Oxford, UK Official languages English President Catrin Campbell-Moore The Oxford University Invariant Society, or 'The Invariants', is a university society open to members of Oxford University, dedicated to promotion of interest in Mathematics.[1] The society regularly hosts talks from prominent British mathematicians[2] such as G. H. Hardy on wide ranging topics from the mathematics of juggling to the history of mathematics.[3][4] Many prominent British mathematicians were members of the society during their time at the University of Oxford.[5]
Contents
History
The Society was founded in 1936 by J. H. C. Whitehead, Graham Higman[6] and Jack de Wet [7] . The name of the society was chosen at random by Higman from the titles of the books; in this case, Oswald Veblen’s Invariants of Quadratic Differential Forms. The opening lecture was G. H. Hardy on Round Numbers.[8][9]
Though many members joined the forces during the war, meetings continued, including lectures by Douglas Hartree and H. A. Newman, as well as debates - 'Is Mathematics an end in itself?' - and mathematical films.[10]
Past speakers
The society has hosted hundreds of prominent mathematicians[11], with recent lectures by David Acheson,[12][13] [14], Brian Stewart,[15], Sir Roger Penrose,[16] and Simon Singh,[17] amongst others.
The Invariant
The society publishes an annual magazine entitled The Invariant.[18]
Recent presidents
Term Name College 2011 - 2012 Catrin Campbell-Moore Worcester 2010 - 2011 Rosanna Creteny Queens 2009 - 2010 Henry Bradford St John's 2008 - 2009 Sean Ledger St John's 2007 - 2008 Julia Steinberg St. Hilda's 2006 - 2007 Tim Palmer Keble 2005 - 2006 Helene Neufeld St Hilda's 2004 - 2005 Owen Cotton-Barratt Balliol References
- ^ Invariants Society Constitution, http://www.invariants.org.uk/constitution
- ^ http://www.sciencecentral.com/site/501035
- ^ http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/Biographies/Higman.html Biography of Graham Higman
- ^ http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/about/history/ Oxford Maths Institute: History of Mathematics
- ^ More mathematical people: contemporary conversations. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. 1990. ISBN 0151581754, 9780151581757.
- ^ http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/Biographies/Higman.html Biography of Graham Higman
- ^ Wilson, Robin (Spring 2011). "Invariant Society 75th anniversary". Oxford Mathematical Institute Newsletter.
- ^ The Early History of the Invariant Society by Robin Wilson, printed in The Invariant (2010), Ben Hoskin
- ^ Professor Graham Higman's Obituary in The Daily Telegraph
- ^ The Early History of the Invariant Society by Robin Wilson, printed in The Invariant (2010), Ben Hoskin
- ^ http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/system/files/attachments/UG_Handbook2010_0.pdf Oxford Undergraduate Handbook
- ^ Michelmas 2010 Termcard, Bodleian Library
- ^ http://home.jesus.ox.ac.uk/~dacheson/lectures.html
- ^ http://www.solipsys.co.uk/new/DavidAcheson.html?InternalLinks
- ^ Hilary 2009 Termcard, Bodleian Library
- ^ Hilary 2010 Termcard, Bodleian Library
- ^ http://www.cherwell.org/news/world/2010/01/26/the-drugs-don-t-work
- ^ The Invariant, Google Books
External links
Categories:- Clubs and societies of the University of Oxford
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