May 2026

Celebrating Women in Maths at Mathematics Münster

At Mathematics Münster, we are celebrating women in mathematics with several events and digital activities from 11-13 May 2026 in the context of the "May12 initiative" – the International Women in Maths Day. Join the events and explore contributions by and with women in mathematics on this webpage!

Programme:

Monday, 11 May

online
Publication of digital "blackboards"
Several female postdocs and doctoral researchers who have recently started at Mathematics Münster are introducing themselves and their research on a digital "blackboard".

6 pm
Joint dinner for female scientists from the Faculty for Mathematics and Computer Science
Please register until 4 May via e-mail
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Tuesday, 12 May

12:45 pm, Common Room
Film screening "Je suis Sophie Germain/ I am Sophie Germain"
Short documentary film (~15 min.) about the life and work of mathematician Sophie Germain for the 250th anniversary of her birth on 1st of April 1876. French with English subtitles.
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Wednesday, 13 May

11:00 am, Common Room
"MM Connect meets May 12" with Münster Research Fellow Elisabeth Werner (Case Western Reserve University)

A glimpse at MM research

Several female postdocs and doctoral reseachers who have recently started at Mathematics Münster are introducing themselves and their research on a digital "blackboard".

Find here a gallery of blackboards on 11 May!

Would you like to see more "blackboards" from our early career scientists? Check out previous years' galleries!

2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020

Tuesday, 12 May, 12:45, Common Room

Film screening "Je suis Sophie Germain"

Everyone interested is welcome to join the screening of the short documentary "Je suis Sophie Germain". The screening is supported by the 12May initiative.

Wednesday, 13 May

MM Connect with Elisabeth Werner

Learn more about the career and work of Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Werner (Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio). After the talk, there will be time to chat over a coffee together. The event is open to all MM members.

Listen to the Podcast

Elisabetta is a doctoral researcher at the Institute of Mathematical Stochastics and works in the field of probability theory. In this "On a Tangent" podcast episode, she talks about what led her to move from Italy to Münster, and what she does to clear her head. The podcast comes with a video in which Elisabetta explains how large deviation theory provides the stochastic foundation for physical phase transitions in the Curie–Weiss model.

Celebrations around the world

Many events are taking place in many countries around the world, online and offline – check it out!

Online events at several mathematical institutions around 12 May 2026

About the International Women in Maths Day

The day is a great opportunity for the mathematical community around the world to celebrate women in mathematics and make their achievements more visible. The aim is to inspire people and promote an open, welcoming and inclusive working environment for all.

May 12th is the date of birth of Maryam Mirzakhani, the first and one of only two female winners of the Fields Medal. She died from cancer in 2017 at the early age of 40. Her beautiful and astonishing results and her life and career are an inspiration for everyone, women and men, to pursue their dreams in science. Her birthday was chosen to celebrate Women in Mathematics in her memory.

More information on the May12 initiative: may12.womeninmaths.org