2026

Speaker: Addie Duncan

Title: Grad School Wrapped

Abstract: Someone once claimed it takes 10,000 hours to achieve mastery. Tim Perutz once said it takes 5-6+ years to get a PhD. Tom Gannon, TPhD once said that he is not a bad train. But how much time does it ~really~ take to pass 7 prelims, progress to candidacy, write a dissertation, and earn the highest academic degree available*? 5+ years ago I embarked on a life altering journey to answer this question using the most precise measurement technology available: meticulous time-tracking (subject to the limitations of human memory, perception, and laziness). What I discovered would surprise even the most self-aware academic researchers and I am ready to share my findings with the world. Come by PMA 12th floor classroom at 3pm on April 15, 2026 to discover the secrets of time for yourself.

*this does not include any degrees in Train Philosophy, which are obviously higher than every other degree

Speaker: Patrícia Muñoz Ewald

Title: Existence Theory for Sharknados

2025

Speaker: Casandra Monroe

Title: The Olympics of Mascots

Abstract: Mascots are a cornerstone in the story of representation theory. In this talk, I will discuss perhaps the most baffling kind: The Olympic Mascot. I will also propose some future directions. This talk is not a thesis defense, but a Thesis Unveiling.

2024

Speaker: Dr. Riccardo Pedrotti

Title: Field notes on my first 7 years in the US

Abstract: You already heard me talk about math Wednesday, so for this seminar I decided to share some of the field notes I took in the 7 years I spent in the US, what I found surprisingly nice, bad or just surprising. I wish I had a British accent to do the Attenborough nature documentary, but you’ll have to be ok with the Piero Angela style.

2023

Speaker: Dr. Neža Žager Korenjak

Title: Nežapocalypse

Abstract: Do you think you're great and the world would be a better place if people were just a little more like you? What about if they were a lot more like you? Heck, why not if they were all you? Come discuss this intriguing scenario with someone who has thought about it a lot!

2022

Speaker: Dr. Tom Gannon (RIP)

Title: Train Philosophy

Abstract: Train Philosophy