Christopher Jones, distinguished professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a professor of applied mathematics at the University of Warwick, will deliver the second lecture of the Laboratory of Mathematical Parallel Systems (LAMPS) Colloquium Series on Mathematics & Interdisciplinary Science – "Can Mathematics Help Clear the Air?"
Left: Christopher Jones
His lecture is part of seven public York U50 lectures planned for the Colloquium Series on Mathematics & Interdisciplinary Science. Each lecture features a leading expert in the field of mathematics and related multidisciplinary areas. The lectures are open to everyone.
The lecture by Jones will take place April 8 from 3:30 to 4:30pm at the Senate Chamber, N940 Ross Building, Keele campus.
"Climate change is about the future and mathematical models are the best way we have of extrapolating from past and present climates," says Jones. "But are they reliable?"
In his lecture, Jones will discuss the kind of information contained in these models. "Why is it important to make predictions when there is scientific consensus on climate change anyway?" he says. "I will consider what mathematicians can do to help sort out and make some points as to where we might put our energies to best effect in addressing climate change."
Previously, Jones has held positions at the universities of Arizona and Maryland. He was a professor in the Division of Applied Mathematics at Brown University for 12 years, where he was also director of the Lefschetz Center for Dynamical Systems. He received the Senior US Scientist Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in 1993 and was editor-in-chief of the journal Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena from 1996 until last year.
Jones is best known for his work on the analysis of nonlinear waves and their stability. Most recently, he has been interested in applying ideas from dynamical systems to the ocean and climate.
The event is sponsored by the York U50 Committee, the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Science, York’s Faculty of Science & Engineering, the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Club Infinity, the Centre for Disease Modelling and LAMPS.
For more information, visit the U50 calendar of events or click here.