Braids Abound!

a public lecture by

Professor Tara E. Brendle,

Professor of Geometric Group Theory, Glasgow University,

Vice President of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society,

Tuesday 10 March 2026

6 pm – 7:30 pm

Newton Lecture Theatre  INB0114

in the Isaac Newton building, University of Lincoln

This talk is generously funded by the London Mathematical Society (LMS)

Book a place

The ancient art of weaving strands together appears in many familiar settings, including art, textiles, and hair styling. In this talk, we’ll explore how braids are also relevant in some (perhaps) more surprising contexts, both mathematical and otherwise, such as solving polynomial equations, dancing, and even grocery delivery.

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Professor Tara Elise Brendle is an American mathematician specialising in geometric group theory, particularly the study of mapping class groups of surfaces, braid groups, and their connections to automorphism groups of free groups and arithmetic groups. She is a professor of mathematics and Head of Mathematics at the University of Glasgow. Brendle earned her B.S. in mathematics from Haverford College in 1995 and completed her Ph.D. at Columbia University in 2002 under the supervision of Joan Birman. She has held academic positions at Cornell University and Louisiana State University before joining Glasgow in 2008. Brendle is a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society and the Royal Society of Edinburgh and received the Senior Whitehead Prize for her fundamental contributions to geometric group theory and her leadership in supporting women in mathematics.

This public lecture series is named after Charlotte Scott, the famous mathematician born in Lincoln, who was also influential in developing  mathematical education of women and their participation in mathematical research. 

 

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