Illustration as a Mathematical Research Technique
Workshop 2: Bridging visualization and understanding in Geometry and Topology
February 16 to 20, 2026 - IHP, Paris
Summary
Geometry and topology are two areas of mathematics that are naturally fueled by illustrations. However, as W. Thurston once noted, "mathematicians usually have fewer and poorer figures in their papers and books than in their heads." The aim of this conference is to explore visualization techniques in geometry and topology. What are the challenges of producing rigorous and enlightening illustrations? How can they guide research and sharpen our understanding in this field? etc. In addition to research talks, the conference will provide opportunities for participants to engage in new research collaborations using illustration.
Registration is free but mandatory
Participants should register using the "Registration" link the the left menu. (The registration form is the same for the trimester and for the workshops.)
List of speakers:
- Aurélien Alvarez (ENS Lyon)
- Alexander Bobenko (TU Berlin)
- Arnaud Chéritat (CNRS/Université de Toulouse)
- Claire David (Sorbonne Université)
- Sam Fairchild (Technical University of Eindhoven)
- Thomas Fernique (CNRS/Université Sorbonne Paris-Nord)
- Lou Kauffman (University of Illinois at Chicago)
- Sofia Lambropoulou (National Technical University of Athens)
- Hugo Parlier (Université de Fribourg)
- Érika Roldán (Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences)
- Martin Skrodzki (TU Delft)
- Mélanie Theillière (Université de Rennes)
- Martin Traizet (Université de Tours)
One of the afternoons will be dedicated to technique sessions. Participants will be spread in small groups to experiment some illustration techniques. Session leaders are
- Alex Andrix (Artist for Science)
- Chaim Goodman-Strauss (MoMath)
- Edmund Harriss (University of Arkansas)
- Alison Martin (Artist)
- Sylvie Pic (Artist)
- Henry Segerman (Oklahoma State University)
- Laura Taalman (James Madison University)
- Steve Trettel (University of San Francisco)
Other afternoon activities include an exhibition of illustrated mathematical objects, a video session, and a documentary film screening.
The full schedule can be found here.
Send a link to a video for the "short film festival":
https://forms.gle/irBc6LgeQX1p7cxKA
Register for the Tuesday Technique sessions by Monday Feb. 16 at 2pm:
https://forms.gle/J3QXGqujX4xrX9VMA
Link to register on Discord:
https://discord.gg/bPGpt67XGE
Organising Committee:
- Aaron Abrams (University of Virginia)
- Vincent Borrelli (Université Claude Bernard - Lyon 1)
- Rémi Coulon (CNRS / Université de Dijon)
- Francis Lazarus (CNRS / Université Grenoble Alpes)
- Sabetta Matsumoto (Georgia Institute of Technology)