Merton College Mathematics Society
2024/25
The Merton Mathematics Society has had another fantastic year.
Michaelmas began with the annual Mathematics Subject Tea at which returning students were able to catch up with one another and impart lots of advice to the incoming freshers (some of it probably more helpful than others). It was a really lovely way to kick of the year and enjoy some great snacks and even better company.
Gabriel (2023) kindly volunteered to continue the tradition of holding weekly maths help sessions throughout the year. The help sessions allow students to work together and ask for advice on any problem sheet questions they’re stuck on. They also provide another way for the year groups to mix and learn from each other.
The mathematics tutors also organised many great events throughout the year. Distinguished speakers are invited termly for the Merton Mathematics Lecture, followed by drinks and Formal Hall. This year we were lucky enough to have two brilliant talks from Sir Andrew Wiles and Professor Jon Chapman. Sir Andrew spoke on Dirichlet’s arithmetic and how his ideas have shaped the way in which we do number theory and try to solve equations. It was a great talk that gave us an increased respect for Sir Andrew’s favourite mathematician. Professor Chapman gave a fascinating talk on the making of an Escher print and showed us how he had managed to create his own Escher-style picture of the Maths department!
Additionally, Merton graduate students and fourth-year undergraduate students gave talks to share their interests with the society in Hilary term. These talks were on topics ranging from campanology (bell ringing) to AI and were a great way to learn more about what other Merton mathematicians had been thinking about.
One of the highlights of the academic year was the annual Subject Dinner in Hilary term. This year, the dinner was once again free for attendees thanks to the generous sponsorship of the maths and technology company Hudson River Trading. The society gathered for drinks in the New Common Room before packing onto two tables for dinner in the Savile Room. The food was delicious and judging by the amount of empty glasses, the wine was also excellent. Professor Radek Erban gave a wonderful speech with his trademark combination of wisdom and humour. The dinner stretched on well into the night which was a testament to the brilliant company.
In Trinity term, the Mathematics Society Garden Party offered a sunny respite from exam preparations. We were blessed with good weather and spent some lovely hours in Fellows’ Garden enjoying snacks and catching up with each other. We are excited to pass the torch to the new pair of presidents for 2025–26, Tessa and Malaika (both 2023), who we are sure will do a phenomenal job.
Beatrice and Rosie
Mathematics Society Co-Presidents 2024-25
2023/24
The Merton Mathematics Society had a fantastic year, with many exciting events and the society’s first sponsored Subject Dinner.
Michaelmas began with the annual Mathematics Subject Tea, which was a fantastic chance to meet the first-year students and for everyone to catch up and hear about one another’s summer vacation. The society enjoyed welcoming the new members over tea and snacks, and it was exciting to see all the returners after the long vacation.
The second years continued the tradition of holding weekly maths help sessions throughout the year. The help sessions provide a forum for students to ask each other questions and the opportunity for valuable mentoring, as well as fostering the undergraduate mathematics community at Merton. Many thanks to Ip Tsz Oi (2022) for leading these events.
The tutors in Mathematics also organised many great Mathematics events throughout the year. Distinguished speakers are invited termly for the Merton Mathematics Lecture, followed by drinks and Formal Hall. This year, the lectures were given by Professor Alison Etheridge FRS, Professor Marc Lackenby and Professor Martin Bridson FRS. Additionally, Merton graduate students and fourth-year undergraduate students gave talks to share their interests with the society in Hilary term in a graduate seminar and two undergraduate seminars.
One of the highlights of the academic year was the annual Subject Dinner in Hilary term. This year, the dinner was free for attendees thanks to the generous sponsorship of the maths and technology company Hudson River Trading. The society gathered for drinks in the New Common Room before packing into two tables for dinner in the Savile Room. With 50 attendees, a delicious three-course menu and carefully selected wine, the dinner proved a night to remember. Professor Yang-Hui He followed dinner with a hilarious yet moving speech. The only hiccup of the night was a shortage of wine late in the evening, which was quickly remedied by a generous donation from Professor James Newton and a dash to the nearest Sainsbury’s.
In Trinity term, the Mathematics Garden Party was a laid-back break from exam preparations. Although the weather unfortunately sent the garden party inside, the MCR was a cosy setting for an afternoon of chatting, toy gun sharpshooting and poker.
We are excited to pass the torch next year to the new pair of presidents for 2024–25, Beatrice (2022) and Rosanna (2022), who will almost surely (i.e. with probability one) do a superb job.
Kieran (2021) and Ivan (2021)
Mathematics Society Co-Presidents 2023–24
2022/23
This past year has been a great year for the mathematics community in Merton. With the pandemic completely forgotten we've had plenty of in-person events, both social and mathematical.
The first event of the year was in Freshers' Week, when we held the customary Freshers' Tea. It was a great opportunity to catch up, share our true feelings about algebra and, of course, welcome the freshers.
As happens every year, maths help sessions were held weekly throughout all terms. Moreover, there have been weekly mathematical events organised by tutors. These include both problem-solving sessions and learning new fascinating mathematics from short talks given by the fourth-year students.
In Michaelmas we held a big social event: formal dinner with St Catherine's mathematicians. Organised together with Albert Lopez, the Catz mathematics society president, we had a big Formal in Merton, followed by karaoke in the College Bar. It was a great opportunity to meet people from another college and take a break from work.
In Hilary, jointly with Alex Scott (2006, St Anne's) and Julia Stadlmann (2016), we organised a series of talks given by Merton maths graduate students. Ranging from abstract nonsense to the statistics involved in the spread of a pandemic, there were four extremely interesting 30-minute talks over two sessions. After the talks we also had the chance to relax together in the Merton Bar.
The 5th Week blues in Hilary term didn't hit hard for the maths students this year as we were all delighted by the one and only Subject Dinner. With a delicious menu, amazingly selected wines and outstanding seating arrangement, the dinner was an absolute success. It was followed by a great speech (of appropriate length) by Dr James Newton reflecting on the history of Merton mathematics. Overall, Hilary was a good term for the Maths Society.
Right before exam season started for third and fourth years in Trinity term, the annual Mathematics Garden Party was held (this time in the garden). Albeit not ideal weather, it was good to see each other, take a break from revision and catch up.
Looking back, the Maths Society has been really active this past year. We are sure the fun will continue next year, with new presidents Ivan (2021) and Kieran (2021).
Dragos (2019) and Inés (2020)
Mathematics Society Co-Presidents 2022-23
2021/22
This has been the first normal year in a while for the Mathematics and Joint Schools Society, with all events taking place in person. Following an uncontested election, co-presidents Dragos Crisan and Inés Borchers Arias were elected, taking over from last year’s presidents, Emily Slade (human) and Rio (dog).
We had the chance to meet the freshers in the subject tea that happened in 0th Week. We discussed what Mertonian mathematicians’ lives look like over some refreshments. This was an amazing opportunity to relax and catch up before term started.
Maths help sessions were the main thing done during the year. Happening each Saturday in different College locations, some of us gather to help each other with maths questions or challenges (specially targeted for first years) over some snacks and apple juice (sometimes in shot glasses). They’re always very fun and a cool way of keeping the mathematical (and joint schools) community together. In Hilary term we had two bigger events: Thirsty Meeples night out and Subject Dinner. In the games night we played some (vaguely mathematical) board games (they involved numbers, we swear) and had a lot of fun. Subject Dinner featured an amazing menu in the New Common Room, followed by a great speech on the history of maths. Overall Hilary was a good term for the Maths Society.
Trinity saw the return of the Mathematics ‘Garden’ Party. However it was sadly not in the garden as the weather didn’t permit it. The party was saved, though, as we ended up holding it in the Games Room. This turned out to be an advantage as we had fun playing pool. It happened slightly earlier than expected but it was a good break from revision right before the last period before exams.
Looking back, the Maths Society has been really active this past year. We hope to keep up with the fun activities next year.
Dragos (2019) and Inés (2020)
Mathematics Society Co-Presidents 2021-22