Research
Research within the MI covers a broad array of active fields. The institute aims to impact mathematics, science and society, and the role of the organization is to foster a stimulating research environment where scientists interact effectively. Because mathematical reasoning provides valuable insight within other fields of science, the interactions that we have in mind extend beyond mathematics to other disciplines within the Faculty of Science (i.e., physics, computer science, chemistry and biology) as well as Geoscience, Healthcare, and Economics, all of which play important roles in the research profile of the Mathematical Institute. Along the same lines: we strive to break through the traditional boundary between “fundamental” and “applied” mathematics. Formally, the MI comprises two highly interacting research groups: Fundamental Mathematics and Mathematical Modelling. Within the national Sectorplan 2019 the MI chose two focus areas, Utrecht Geometry Center and Modelling & Complex Systems, which roughly correspond to the two research groups. View below for a visual overview of all our research areas. These are: PDE, numerical analysis, finance, dynamical systems, stochastic analysis, graph theory, computing, history of math, number theory, algebraic geometry, geometric analysis, logic, topology and differential geometry.
Collaboration and contact
The Mathematical Institute cooperates with other research groups of Utrecht University in the focus area Complex Systems. At the national level there is substantive cooperation in thematic clusters, such as GQT and NDNS+.