This virtual research community, sponsored by AIM, focuses on collaborative learning among graduate students in dynamical systems, specifically smooth dynamics, ergodic theory, and homogeneous dynamics. We hope to build connections across institutions, and strengthen the reading, research, and collaboration skills of current and recent graduate students. Applications are now closed for the January-May 2024 program. Find more About Spring 2024 here.

Keep an eye out for future semesters. One way is to join our mailing list! You can join the big ideas mailing list by filling out this form.

This program takes place across one semester and consists of three phases: 

How Big Ideas in Dynamics Works

• Mentors record pre-talks aimed at providing participants with the relevant tools and concepts for their selected topic. 

• We officially begin with a virtual learning conference where senior mathematicians give short talks about a paper or idea necessary to understand some of their work. 

• Throughout the semester, graduate students will meet virtually in small groups to read through one of the presented papers. 

• A mentor, usually a postdoc or senior graduate student who is familiar with the paper will hold regular office hours to support groups.

• At the end of the semester, we host a virtual closing conference where there will be talks by mentors and more!

• Each semester, participants can submit videos, expository papers, or other created resources related to their topic, which we house on the repository page. 

Find information about the previous, current, or upcoming semesters by using the links at the top of the page.

Some recordings from the conferences and mentors are also available on the past events page.

Big Ideas in Dynamics is organized by Benjamin Call and Noelle Sawyer and supported by AIM.

You can contact the organizers at bigideasindynamics@gmail.com.