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Adams Prize
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The Adams Prize is a prize[1] awarded each year by the Faculty of Mathematics at St John's College to a UK-based mathematician for distinguished research in mathematical sciences.
The prize is named after the mathematician John Couch Adams and was endowed by members of St John's College and approved by the senate of the university in 1848, to commemorate Adams' role in the discovery of the planet Neptune. Originally open only to Cambridge graduates, the current stipulation is that the mathematician must reside in the UK and be under forty years of age.[2]
The Adams Prize is awarded in three parts: the first is paid directly to the candidate; another third is paid to the candidate's institution to fund research expenses; and the final third is paid on publication of a survey paper in the winner's field in a major mathematics journal.
The prize has been awarded to many well-known mathematicians, including James Clerk Maxwell and Sir William Hodge. The first female recipient, in 2002, was Susan Howson, then a lecturer at the University of Nottingham, for her work on number theory and elliptic curves.
Subject area
[edit]Partial list of prize winners
[edit]The complete list of prize winners can be found on the Adams Prize webpage, on the University of Cambridge website. The following partial list is compiled from internet sources:
- 1850 Robert Peirson
- 1857 James Clerk Maxwell, "on the stability of the motion of Saturn's rings"[7]
- 1865 Edward Walker
- 1871 Isaac Todhunter
- 1877 Edward Routh
- 1883 J. J. Thomson
- 1893 John Henry Poynting
- 1899 Joseph Larmor and Gilbert Walker
- 1901 Hector Munro MacDonald
- 1907 Ernest William Brown
- 1909 George Adolphus Schott
- 1911 A. E. H. Love, "on some problems of geodynamics"[8]
- 1913 Samuel McLaren and John William Nicholson
- 1915 Geoffrey Ingram Taylor, "on the turbulent motion in fluids"
- 1917 James Hopwood Jeans, "on the course of configurations possible for a rotating and gravitating fluid mass"[9]
- 1919 John William Nicholson
- 1921 William Mitchinson Hicks
- 1922 Joseph Proudman
- 1924 Ralph H. Fowler
- 1926 Harold Jeffreys
- 1928 Sydney Chapman
- 1930 Abram Samoilovitch Besicovitch
- 1932 Alan Herries Wilson
- 1934 Sydney Goldstein
- 1936 W. V. D. Hodge
- 1940 Harold Davenport
- 1942 Homi J. Bhabha
- 1947 Desmond B. Sawyer[10]
- 1948 John Charles Burkill, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Walter Hayman, and John Macnaghten Whittaker
- 1950 George Batchelor, William Reginald Dean, and Leslie Howarth
- 1952 Bernhard Neumann
- 1955 Harold Gordon Eggleston
- 1958 Paul Taunton Matthews, Abdus Salam, and John G. Taylor
- 1960 V. S. Huzurbazar and Walter L. Smith
- 1962 John Robert Ringrose
- 1964 James G. Oldroyd and Owen Martin Phillips[11]
- 1966 Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose[12]
- 1967 Jayant Narlikar[13]
- 1970 Robert Burridge, Leslie John Walpole, and John Raymond Willis
- 1972 Alan Baker, Christopher Hooley, and Hugh Lowell Montgomery
- 1974 John Fitch and David Barton
- 1976 Tim Pedley
- 1978 Alistair Mees
- 1980 Michael E. McIntyre and Brian Leslie Norman Kennett[14]
- 1982 Dan Segal, Martin J. Taylor, Gordon James, Steve Donkin, and Aidan Schofield
- 1984 Bernard J. Carr[15]
- 1986 Brian D. Ripley
- 1992 Paul Glendinning
- 2001 Sandu Popescu[16]
- 2002 Susan Howson, "for her research on number theory and elliptic curves"[17]
- 2003 David Hobson[18]
- 2004 Dominic Joyce[19]
- 2005 Mihalis Dafermos and David Stuart
- 2006 Jonathan Sherratt
- 2007 Paul Fearnhead
- 2008 Tom Bridgeland and David Tong[20]
- 2009 Raphaël Rouquier "for contributions to representation theory"[21]
- 2010 Jacques Vanneste[22]
- 2011 Harald Helfgott and Tom Sanders[23]
- 2012 Sheehan Olver and Françoise Tisseur "for contributions to computational mathematics"[24]
- 2013 Ivan Smith
- 2014 not awarded
- 2015 Arend Bayer and Thomas Coates[25]
- 2016 Clément Mouhot[26]
- 2017 Graham Cormode and Richard Samworth[27]
- 2018 Claudia de Rham and Gustav Holzegel, both of Imperial College London.[5]
- 2019 Heather Harrington (University of Oxford) and Luitgard Veraart (LSE)[6]
- 2020 Konstantin Ardakov (University of Oxford) and Michael Wemyss (University of Glasgow)[28]
- 2021 Mahir Hadžić and Jeffrey Galkowski, both of University College London.[29]
- 2022 Jack Thorne[30]
- 2023 Anne Cori (Imperial College London) and Adam Kucharski (LSHTM)[31]
- 2024 Soheyla Feyzbakhsh (Imperial College London) and Nick Sheridan (University of Edinburgh)[32]
- 2025 Theo Assiotis (University of Edinburgh) and Giuseppe Cannizzaro (University of Warwick)[33]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Adams Prize 2002/3 winner announced – Cambridge Network". Archived from the original on 23 October 2014.
- ^ "Applications for Adams Prize 2012–13". 23 February 2012. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
- ^ "Applications for Adams Prize 2015–2016". Archived from the original on 8 May 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ "Applications for Adams Prize 2016–17".
- ^ a b "Adams prize winners 2017–18 announced". University of Cambridge. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
- ^ a b "Adams prize2019". University of Cambridge. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- ^ Harman, Peter. Cambridge Scientific Minds. p. 138.
- ^ Senechal, Marjorie. I Died for Beauty: Dorothy Wrinch and the Cultures of Science.
- ^ Jannsen, Michel. The Cambridge Companion to Einstein, Volume 1. p. 262.
- ^ "Permanent Academic Staff 1870 to the present". The Mathematics Department at the University of Otago. Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
- ^ Turner, S. (2011). "Professor Owen Martin Phillips. 30 December 1930–12 October 2010". Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 669: 1–2. Bibcode:2011JFM...669....1T. doi:10.1017/S0022112010006415.
- ^ Larsen, Kristine (2005). Stephen Hawking: a biography. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. xiv. ISBN 0-313-32392-5.
- ^ Mead, Margaret (1980). Jawaharlal Nehru memorial lectures, 1973-1979. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. p. 157.
- ^ "B. L. N. Kennett's CV". Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
- ^ Carr, Bernard. Universe Or Multiverse?.
- ^ "Sandu Popescu wins Adams Prize 2001". Quiprocone. 2001. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
- ^ "Dr Susan Howson on Woman's Hour". BBC Radio 4. 8 March 2002. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
- ^ "Professor David Hobson". Warwick Department of Statistics. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- ^ "Dominic Joyce awarded Adams Prize". Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford. 22 July 2009. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011.
- ^ Awards Cambridge University Reporter 23 April 2008
- ^ "'Representation Theory' work wins 2009 Adams Prize". 31 March 2009. Archived from the original on 1 April 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2009.
- ^ "'Fluid Mechanics' work wins 2010 Adams Prize". 26 February 2010. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
- ^ (reprinted from a University of Cambridge announcement). "Helfgott and Sanders Awarded Adams Prize" (PDF). Notices of the American Mathematical Society. 58 (7). AMS: 966.
- ^ "Adams Prize winners 2011–12 announced". Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) (). - ^ "Adams Prize winners 2014–15 announced". www.maths.cam.ac.uk. 23 September 2015. Archived from the original on 20 July 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
- ^ "Adams Prize winner 2015–16 announced". www.maths.cam.ac.uk. 24 February 2016. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
- ^ "Graham Cormode awarded 2017 Adams Prize". Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick. 26 March 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
- ^ "Adams Prize Winners 2019–20 Announced". www.maths.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ "Adams Prize Winners 2020–2021 Announced". www.maths.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ "Adams Prize Winner 2021–22". www.maths.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ "Adams Prize Winner 2022–23". Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ "Adams Prize Winner 2023-24". University of Cambridge Faculty of Mathematics. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "Adams Prize Winner 2024-25". University of Cambridge Faculty of Mathematics. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
External links
[edit]Adams Prize
View on GrokipediaHistory
Establishment
The Adams Prize was established in 1848 by members of St John's College, Cambridge, who endowed the award to honor outstanding contributions in mathematics. The initiative was approved by the University of Cambridge Senate later that year, following a proposal from college fellows motivated by recent astronomical achievements. The prize was dedicated to John Couch Adams, a mathematician and astronomer affiliated with St John's College, in recognition of his independent calculation of Neptune's position in 1845–1846, derived from observed perturbations in Uranus's orbit.[4] This work, accomplished without prior knowledge of similar efforts by Urbain Le Verrier, highlighted Adams's analytical prowess in celestial mechanics and prompted the college's commemorative gesture.[4] From its inception, the Adams Prize was designed as a biennial honor for significant mathematical research, initially open exclusively to graduates of the University of Cambridge who submitted essays on a designated topic.[1] The original endowment provided ongoing funding for the award, emphasizing original treatises that advanced theoretical understanding. The first award cycle spanned 1848–1850, with the inaugural topic focused on the "Theory of the long inequality of Uranus and Neptune," reflecting contemporary interests in planetary dynamics tied to Adams's legacy. The prize was awarded to Robert Peirson of St John's College.[1]Evolution of the Prize
The Adams Prize has undergone several key transformations since its inception, adapting to broader mathematical communities and institutional developments. Initially focused on essays addressing specific topics set by adjudicators, the prize required candidates to demonstrate original research through written submissions, with the winning entry expected to be published as a memoir. This format was exemplified in an early award, granted in 1857 to James Clerk Maxwell for his groundbreaking essay on the stability of Saturn's rings, which advanced understanding of celestial mechanics and was published in expanded form thereafter.[1][5] Administrative oversight evolved in the 20th century to involve joint management by St John's College, which endowed the prize, and Cambridge's mathematical departments, with the modern Faculty of Mathematics formed in 2007. Adjudicators, appointed annually, continue to play a central role in defining topics and selecting recipients based on distinguished contributions. The prize has been conferred annually since its early years, though occasional interruptions occurred, such as in 1998, 2000, and 2014, due to administrative or candidacy factors.[1][6] A pivotal shift in eligibility took place around 2000, broadening access beyond those with direct ties to Cambridge—previously limited to graduates or affiliates—to encompass any UK-based mathematician under 40 years of age, with the age threshold subject to adjudicator discretion. Concurrently, evaluation criteria moved from commissioned essays to assessments of candidates' existing published research, emphasizing sustained impact over ad hoc writing. This expansion reflected the prize's aim to recognize emerging talent across the British mathematical landscape.[1] The prize's monetary value has grown substantially, reaching approximately £30,000 by the 21st century, distributed as one-third to the winner, one-third to their institution for research support, and one-third toward publication expenses. A landmark in inclusivity came in 2002 with the first award to a woman, Susan Howson, a lecturer at the University of Nottingham, honored for her contributions to algebraic number theory and elliptic curves.[1][7]Award Mechanics
Eligibility and Application
The Adams Prize is open to individuals who, as of 31 October of the award year, hold an appointment at a UK university or other institution and are under 40 years of age, though the adjudicators may grant exceptions to the age limit on a case-by-case basis.[1] Candidates must also reside and work in the United Kingdom during the award period to meet the residency requirement.[1] For the 2025–2026 cycle, age is calculated as of 31 October 2025.[1] This eligibility has evolved from its original restriction to Cambridge graduates to encompass UK-wide institutional appointments.[1] The application process requires submission of a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a sample of recent work demonstrating the candidate's contributions, and a two-page non-technical summary explaining the significance of the research.[1] There is no entry fee for applications.[1] All materials must be emailed to the Secretary of the Adams Prize Adjudicators at [email protected].[1] Candidates may self-nominate or be nominated by others, with nominations following the same submission guidelines and requirements as direct applications.[1] For the 2025–2026 cycle, all applications and nominations are due by 31 October 2025, typically early in the academic year.[1]Selection and Prize Distribution
The selection process for the Adams Prize is overseen by a board of five adjudicators, comprising two appointed by the Faculty Board of Mathematics, two by the Council of St John's College, and one by the Royal Society (a Fellow not resident in Cambridge).[8] These adjudicators, appointed for four-year terms starting 1 October, evaluate submissions based on the candidates' research achievements in the mathematical sciences, with particular emphasis on originality, impact, and relevance to the announced topic.[8][1] The Chair is one of the Faculty Board appointees, and administrative support is provided by the Secretary of the Faculty Board of Mathematics.[8] Winners are typically announced in the spring, such as April for the preceding academic year's cycle, and the prize may be awarded jointly to up to two recipients when merited.[6][9] The total prize value is approximately £30,000, determined by the previous year's income from the Adams Prize Fund after expenses, and divided into three equal parts.[1][8] The distribution of the prize is structured to support both the recipient and their research: one-third is paid directly to the winner upon announcement, one-third is allocated to the winner's institution to fund research expenses, and the final third is disbursed upon acceptance for publication of a substantial original article.[1][8] This article, authored solely by the prize-winner, must be at least 25 printed pages and survey a significant part of the winner's field in a manner accessible to a broad mathematical audience; it must appear in an internationally recognized journal within two years of the award (extendable at the adjudicators' discretion).[1][8] If the publication requirement is not met, the withheld portion reverts to the Prize Fund.[8]Research Focus
Historical Topics
The historical topics of the Adams Prize, from its founding in 1848 through the mid-20th century, were deliberately chosen by committees of adjudicators to tackle emerging challenges in mathematics, astronomy, and physics, encouraging innovative theoretical work to resolve observational puzzles or advance fundamental understanding. These subjects often bridged pure mathematical techniques with physical applications, reflecting the era's scientific priorities, such as celestial mechanics and wave phenomena. The prize was initially awarded biennially, though lapses occurred due to insufficient submissions, with topics announced in advance to stimulate research; by the early 20th century, awards became more frequent, transitioning toward an annual cadence around 1900 as the university's mathematical community expanded.[1][10] In its earliest years, the prize emphasized astronomical and physical problems. The inaugural topic in 1857 concerned the stability and composition of Saturn's rings, a question arising from telescopic observations that challenged existing models of planetary structure; James Clerk Maxwell's winning essay demonstrated that the rings could only be stable if composed of numerous unbound particles in independent orbits, influencing later astrophysical theories.[1][11] Throughout the 19th century, themes recurrently explored pure mathematics alongside astronomy and physics, including hydrodynamics and planetary perturbations. For instance, the 1882 subject on the motion of vortex rings addressed fluid stability and circulation, with J. J. Thomson's essay laying groundwork for later electromagnetic analogies in fluid models. Similarly, the 1893 topic on the mean density of the Earth integrated gravitational theory and experimental data, awarded to J. H. Poynting for his synthesis of pendulum measurements and theoretical refinements.[12] The early 20th century marked a gradual shift toward more abstract pure mathematics, even as applied topics persisted, with adjudicators increasingly prioritizing advanced theoretical frameworks amid rapid developments in analysis and geometry. Astronomy remained prominent, as in the 1907 subject on direct planetary perturbations of the Moon's motion (lunar theory), where E. W. Brown's essay advanced numerical methods for long-term orbital predictions, building on John Couch Adams's own legacy in celestial mechanics. Fluid dynamics continued with the 1914 topic on turbulent motion, won by G. I. Taylor for his statistical approach to chaotic flows, which established key concepts in modern turbulence theory. Notable early winners like Maxwell and Thomson emerged from these physics-oriented themes, underscoring the prize's role in fostering interdisciplinary breakthroughs.[13][1] By the 1920s and 1930s, topics increasingly highlighted sophisticated pure mathematical domains, such as differential geometry and algebraic structures, signaling a maturing emphasis on foundational theory. The 1922 subject on tidal friction exemplified applied geometry in geophysics, while the 1932 focus on the mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics bridged analysis and operator theory. A pivotal example came in 1936 with the topic of harmonic integrals on algebraic varieties, awarded to William V. D. Hodge for developing tools that unified topology, analysis, and geometry—seminal to sheaf theory and modern algebraic geometry. These selections by adjudicators captured evolving challenges, from stellar dynamics in James Jeans's 1917 win on cosmogony, promoting conceptual advances over rote computation.[1][14][15]Contemporary Topics
In the latter half of the 20th century, the Adams Prize began to emphasize a broader array of mathematical fields, including topology, partial differential equations, and aspects of statistical mechanics, reflecting the evolving landscape of mathematical research at the time. For instance, topics such as topology were featured in 1956 and again in 2013, while differential equations appeared in 1978 and 2005, often encompassing partial differential equations in contexts like wave propagation and stability (1980). These selections highlighted the prize's role in recognizing advancements in both pure theoretical structures and foundational applied problems, such as those in fluid mechanics (1964, 1994) and probability theory (1960), which laid groundwork for later interdisciplinary extensions.[16] Entering the 21st century, the prize topics demonstrated increasing diversification into applied and interdisciplinary areas, incorporating influences from biology, data science, and physics. Notable examples include applied analysis in 2016, which focused on practical mathematical modeling; statistical analysis of big data in 2017, addressing computational challenges in large-scale datasets; and mathematical and statistical epidemiology in 2023, which explored modeling infectious disease dynamics. More recent announcements underscore this trend, with geometry selected for 2024, mathematics of statistical mechanics for 2025, and discrete mathematics for 2026, the latter recognizing equilibrium and non-equilibrium systems in physical contexts.[16] This shift toward interdisciplinarity since the 2000s is evident in topics like mathematical biology (2006), pattern formation in physics and biology (2014), and the mathematics of networks (2019), which integrate mathematical tools with real-world applications in emerging fields. Such selections contrast with earlier historical foci on classical pure mathematics, illustrating the prize's adaptation to contemporary scientific demands. Topics are publicized annually on the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Mathematics website, allowing researchers to align submissions with current priorities.[16]Recipients
Early Winners
The Adams Prize, established in 1848 by members of St John's College, Cambridge, to honor John Couch Adams's prediction of Neptune's position, awarded its inaugural prize in 1850 to Robert Peirson of St John's College for his essay on "The theory of the long inequality of Uranus and Neptune, depending on the near commensurability of their mean motions."[1] This work advanced celestial mechanics by addressing perturbations in planetary orbits, a key concern in 19th-century astronomy following Adams's own contributions. In 1857, James Clerk Maxwell of Trinity College received the prize for his essay "On the stability of the motion of Saturn's rings," which rigorously analyzed the rings' composition using mathematical models of fluid dynamics and gravitation.[1] Maxwell's submission, later expanded into a 1859 book, demonstrated that the rings could not be solid or fluid but must consist of numerous small particles, laying groundwork for his subsequent unification of electromagnetism and influencing vector analysis in physics.[5] Edward Walker of Trinity College won in 1865 for "A systematic account of the phenomena and laws of terrestrial and cosmical magnetism," synthesizing observational data on magnetic fields to propose connections between Earth's magnetism and solar influences.[1] Published as a treatise, this essay contributed to geophysics by clarifying diurnal variations and secular changes in magnetic declination, aiding navigation and early space weather studies.[17] Joseph John Thomson of Trinity College earned the 1883 prize for his work on "The action of two closed vortices in incompressible fluid," exploring vortex interactions through advanced hydrodynamic equations.[1] This mathematical investigation, detailed in his 1883 treatise, prefigured Thomson's later atomic models and electron discovery, advancing fluid mechanics and its applications to electromagnetism.[18] John Henry Poynting of Trinity College was awarded in 1893 for an essay on methods for "Determining gravitation and the mean density of the Earth," employing torsion balances and pendulum observations to refine gravitational constants.[1] His contributions refined measurements of the gravitational constant G, supporting geodetic surveys and Einstein's later general relativity validations. Later early winners included Ernest William Brown of Christ's College in 1907 for inequalities in the Moon's motion, enhancing lunar theory for eclipse predictions, and Harold Jeffreys of St John's College in 1926 for the Earth's interior constitution, integrating seismology with elasticity models to infer core structure.[1] William Vallance Douglas Hodge of Pembroke College received the 1936 prize for harmonic integrals in algebraic geometry, developing tools that bridged topology and complex manifolds, profoundly impacting sheaf theory and modern algebraic geometry.[1] These awards often catalyzed seminal publications, propelling fields from celestial mechanics to geophysics and pure mathematics during a era of rapid scientific expansion.[14]Modern Winners
The Adams Prize has recognized a diverse array of early-career researchers in the late 20th and 21st centuries, with winners spanning fields from number theory to epidemiology and statistical mechanics. Since Susan Howson's groundbreaking win in 2002 as the first female recipient, the prize has increasingly highlighted contributions from women and scholars with international backgrounds, reflecting broader trends in UK mathematics. For instance, post-2002 laureates include multiple women, such as Heather Harrington in 2019 and Soheyla Feyzbakhsh in 2024, alongside recipients from varied global origins working at UK institutions. This era's awards emphasize interdisciplinary applications, such as big data analysis in the 2010s and contemporary topics like mathematical epidemiology.[1][7][19] Recent announcements underscore the prize's ongoing vitality. The 2023 winners were revealed in March 2023 for work in mathematical and statistical epidemiology, while the 2024 geometry awardees were announced in May 2024. Similarly, the 2025 recipients in the mathematics of statistical mechanics were named in late March 2025. These selections highlight achievements in rapidly evolving areas, with winners often advancing to prominent academic roles.[20][6][2] The following partial list profiles ten notable modern winners, focusing on their prize-winning research and subsequent careers:| Year | Winner(s) | Topic | Summary of Research and Career |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Susan Howson (University of Nottingham) | Number Theory | Howson was awarded for her innovative work on the arithmetic of elliptic curves, particularly Iwasawa theory applications to elliptic curves over number fields, marking a significant advance in algebraic number theory. She later became Professor of Pure Mathematics at the University of Nottingham, continuing research in arithmetic geometry and serving as Head of the School of Mathematical Sciences.[21][1] |
| 2004 | Dominic Joyce (University of Oxford) | Differential Geometry | Joyce received the prize for constructing compact 8-manifolds with exceptional holonomy Spin(7), providing new examples of Ricci-flat metrics and advancing understanding of special holonomy geometries. He progressed to become the Savilian Professor of Geometry at Oxford, authoring influential texts on Calabi-Yau manifolds and earning Fellowship in the Royal Society in 2012.[22][23][1] |
| 2005 | Mihalis Dafermos (University of Cambridge) and David Stuart (University of Cambridge) | Differential Equations | The duo was honored for analyzing the adiabatic limit of solitons in classical field theories, yielding rigorous results on soliton stability and dynamics in nonlinear wave equations. Dafermos advanced to the Lowndean Professorship of Astronomy and Geometry at Cambridge and later at Princeton, focusing on partial differential equations in general relativity; Stuart became Professor of Mathematics at Bath, specializing in microlocal analysis.[1][24] |
| 2017 | Graham Cormode (University of Warwick) and Richard Samworth (University of Cambridge) | Statistical Analysis of Big Data | They were recognized for developing efficient algorithms for high-dimensional data sketching and nonparametric inference, enabling scalable statistical methods for massive datasets in machine learning and privacy-preserving analysis. Cormode, who will join Oxford as Professor of Computer Science in 2026, earning ACM Fellowship; Samworth became Professor of Statistical Science at Cambridge, directing the Statistical Laboratory.[25][26][27] |
| 2018 | Claudia de Rham (Imperial College London) and Gustav Holzegel (Imperial College London) | Mathematics of Astronomy and Cosmology | De Rham and Holzegel won for advancing massive gravity theories beyond general relativity, including ghost-free models that address dark energy and cosmological stability. De Rham became Professor of Physics at Imperial, pioneering Galileon theories and receiving the Blavatnik Award in 2020; Holzegel advanced to Professor at the University of Münster in 2020, focusing on black hole stability.[28][29][30] |
| 2019 | Heather Harrington (University of Oxford) and Luitgard Veraart (London School of Economics) | Mathematics of Networks | Harrington was awarded for algebraic topology applications to higher-order networks, modeling complex interactions in biology and data science beyond pairwise graphs. She advanced to Directorship at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in 2023, with research in topological data analysis; Veraart became Professor of Statistics at LSE, specializing in network stochastic processes.[3][31][1] |
| 2022 | Jack Thorne (University of Cambridge) | Number Theory | Thorne earned the prize for breakthroughs in the Langlands program, including symmetric power functoriality for holomorphic cusp forms and applications to Galois representations. He holds the Chair in Number Theory at Cambridge, receiving the New Horizons Prize in 2022 and Cole Prize in 2023 for arithmetic geometry contributions.[32][33] |
| 2023 | Anne Cori (Imperial College London) and Adam Kucharski (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) | Mathematical and Statistical Epidemiology | The pair was honored for innovative Bayesian methods in real-time outbreak modeling, including capture-recapture techniques for incidence estimation during pandemics like COVID-19. Cori advanced to Reader in Statistics at Imperial, leading infectious disease modeling; Kucharski became Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at LSHTM, authoring influential works on epidemic forecasting.[34][35][1] |
| 2024 | Soheyla Feyzbakhsh (Imperial College London) and Nick Sheridan (University of Edinburgh) | Geometry | Feyzbakhsh and Sheridan received the award for advances in algebraic geometry, including wall-crossing formulas for Donaldson-Thomas invariants and enumerative invariants via string theory techniques. Feyzbakhsh became Senior Lecturer at Imperial, earning the Whitehead Prize in 2023 and Veblen Prize in 2025; Sheridan holds a professorship at Edinburgh, focusing on symplectic geometry.[6][19] |
| 2025 | Theo Assiotis (University of Edinburgh) and Giuseppe Cannizzaro (University of Warwick) | Mathematics of Statistical Mechanics | They were recognized for deep results on random matrix theory and interacting particle systems, including eigenvalue dynamics and stochastic partial differential equations in non-equilibrium settings. Assiotis serves as Reader in Probability at Edinburgh; Cannizzaro is Associate Professor at Warwick, advancing singular stochastic PDEs.[36][2][1] |
