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$A photo of two math educators—one facing the camera, one with his back to it—listen as a third—sitting sideways—animatedly explains something to them.$

With college math stuck in the 20th century, work begins on a new formula

Scholars from around the United States recently gathered at Harvard to crack an unsolved problem in mathematics: how to make the subject more relevant to undergraduates. The traditional ways of...
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Undergraduate Prizes and Awards 2025-2026

Congratulations to this year’s prize and award recipients! Alexander Prize Each year, this award recognizes a deserving student who will use the money for research and travel to math conferences....
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The Harvard Department of Mathematics at Its Best

We are pleased to bring you this short documentary exploring the depth and creativity of our department. Special thanks to everyone who was part of this project!
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Yunqing Tang Receives 2026 New Horizons in Mathematics Prize

Congratulations to Harvard math Ph.D. graduate Yunqing Tang, currently an associate professor at University of California, Berkeley, for receiving the 2026 New Horizons in Mathematics Prize! Tang won the prize...
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$A black-and-white photo of mathematician Heisuke Hironaka looking to the side of the camera and gesturing with his right hand.$

In Memory of Professor Emeritus Heisuke Hironaka

It is with heavy hearts that we say farewell to Professor Emeritus Heisuke Hironaka, who passed away in March, 2026 at the age of 94. He received his PhD from...
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Harvard Makes Strong Showing at 86th Putnam Mathematical Competition

Harvard scored third place among the winning teams at the 86th annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition. Over 4,300 students from over 480 institutions participated in the highly competitive exam...
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$Headshot of Harvard math professor Laura DeMarco smiling at the camera, wearing glasses, with shoulder-length blond hair.$

Laura DeMarco Appointed Hollis Professor of Mathematicks and Natural Philosophy

We are delighted to announce that Professor Laura DeMarco was appointed the Hollis Professor of Mathematicks and Natural Philosophy. The Hollis Professorship is the second oldest named chair at Harvard...
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When you do the math, humans still rule

Have reports of AI replacing mathematicians been greatly exaggerated? Artificial intelligence has attained an impressive series of feats — solving problems from the International Math Olympiad, conducting encyclopedic surveys of...
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In Memory of Professor Emeritus Benedict Gross

It is with heavy hearts that we say farewell to Professor Emeritus Benedict Gross, who passed away in December, 2025. Gross joined the Harvard Department of Mathematics as an undergraduate in...
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Horng-Tzer Yau Awarded 2026 Steele Prize for Seminal Contribution to Research

The American Mathematical Society (AMS) awarded the 2026 Leroy P. Steele Prize for Seminal Contribution to Research to Harvard Merton Professor of Mathematics Horng-Tzer Yau, László Erdős, and Benjamin Schlein....
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