How computational mathematics powers the modern world  

  Host: Associate Professor Stuart Hawkins

  Thursday 25 June 2026, 6.15pm – 7.30pm 

  Theatre G25, Michael Kirby Building, 17 Wally’s Walk, Macquarie University

Overview

Since the earliest days of computing in the 1950s, computational mathematics has been quietly reshaping the world around us. From the algorithms that simulate climate and weather to those that enable medical imaging, advances in computational mathematics sit at the heart of modern technologies that define our world today. This talk will illustrate some of the big ideas in computational mathematics, including some of my favourite innovations. 

We’ll then look at the techniques behind my own research on simulating sound and light waves in complex materials and in the atmosphere. Together, these examples reveal how computational mathematics makes it possible to model the invisible forces that shape our world. 

Biography

Associate Professor Stuart Hawkins obtained his PhD in numerical analysis from the University of Bath in the UK. After postdoctoral research at the University of Liverpool and the University of New South Wales, he joined Macquarie University in 2009. 

His research is primarily focused on development of advanced computational methods for simulating light and sound waves, and recent work applies these methods to a range of problems including ocean waves interacting with ice floes, nanophotonics, design of metamaterials, and using waves for sensing. 

Stuart is a passionate advocate for the discipline of computational mathematics and is the chair of the Computational Mathematics Group, a special interest group of ANZIAM. 

Contact Us

For more details about the series, contact us at fse.outreach@mq.edu.au.