Portuguese Mathematical Society

Portuguese Mathematical Society
Name	Portuguese Mathematical Society
Formation	1940s
Type	Learned society
Headquarters	Lisbon
Location	Portugal
Language	Portuguese
Leader title	President

Contents

Portuguese Mathematical Society is a national learned society dedicated to the promotion of Mathematics and support of mathematicians in Portugal. It engages with academic institutions such as the University of Lisbon, the University of Porto, the University of Coimbra and the NOVA University Lisbon, and collaborates with international organizations including the European Mathematical Society, the International Mathematical Union, the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction and the Union of European Mathematicians. The society connects researchers, teachers, and students across institutions like the Instituto Superior Técnico, the Catholic University of Portugal, the University of Minho and the University of Aveiro.

History

Founded in the mid-20th century, the society emerged amid developments involving figures associated with the University of Coimbra, the Portuguese Academy of Sciences, and the Instituto Superior Técnico. Early contributors included academics linked to departments at the University of Porto and the University of Lisbon, and the society's formation paralleled events such as conferences at the Instituto de Alta Cultura and meetings with representatives from the Academia das Ciências de Lisboa and the Sociedade de Geografia de Lisboa. Over decades the organization navigated Portugal’s transitions that involved the Carnation Revolution and integration into the European Economic Community, expanding ties with institutions like the European Mathematical Society and engaging with award structures exemplified by the Fields Medal ecosystem and national recognitions such as honors from the Order of Saint James of the Sword.

The society's mission emphasizes support for research nodes at centers like the Center for Mathematics and Applications, collaboration with research units at the Instituto de Matemática Pura e Aplicada model, and advocacy within policy arenas that include contacts with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education and the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. Activities span coordination of seminars at venues such as the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, cooperative projects with the European Research Council, and participation in networks linked to the Horizon Europe framework, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and the Lisbon Strategy initiatives. The society also contributes to curriculum dialogues referencing frameworks like those from the International Baccalaureate and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

The society publishes journals and bulletins that serve communities associated with the European Mathematical Society and the International Mathematical Union. Its periodicals have featured articles referencing research from groups at the Carnegie Mellon University-style collaborations, comparative studies relating to the American Mathematical Society publications, and translations of expositions originally presented at meetings in the Royal Society and the French Academy of Sciences. Monographs and proceedings have included contributions tied to authors affiliated with the University of Cambridge, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Princeton University mathematics department, the ETH Zurich, and the Max Planck Society.

The society organizes national congresses and regional meetings, hosting international visitors from institutions such as the University of Oxford, the University of Chicago, the Sorbonne University, the Heidelberg University and the Technical University of Munich. It supports competitions aligned with the International Mathematical Olympiad, national selections linked to the International Mathematical Olympiad delegation processes, workshops connected to the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad and summer schools akin to programs at the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford and the Fields Institute. Events have been held in partnership with venues like the Casa da Música and cultural institutions such as the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

The society administers prizes that recognize research excellence comparable to national distinctions from the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, the Serralves Foundation and honors similar in spirit to the Crafoord Prize or the Abel Prize. Awardees have included academics with career paths connected to the University of Cambridge, the Stanford University, the Imperial College London and research centers such as the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and the Max Planck Society. The society's recognitions often intersect with funding schemes from the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia and support nominations for international awards including the European Research Council grants and medals presented by the International Mathematical Union.

Membership draws individuals from departments at the University of Lisbon, the University of Porto, the University of Coimbra, the University of Minho and polytechnics similar to the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon. Governance structures mirror models used by the European Mathematical Society and the American Mathematical Society, with elected boards and committees liaising with organizations like the Portuguese Parliament for education policy input and coordinating with agencies such as the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia for grant administration. Leadership roles have included presidents and secretaries with academic affiliations across Portuguese institutions and visiting positions at universities like the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Oxford.

Outreach programs target school networks including collaborations with the Portuguese Ministry of Education, teacher training resembling initiatives from the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction, and enrichment activities inspired by programs at the Khan Academy and the Mathematical Association of America. The society runs preparation courses for competitions related to the International Mathematical Olympiad and organizes public lectures featuring speakers affiliated with the Institute for Advanced Study, the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, the École Normale Supérieure and the Royal Institution. Partnerships extend to museums and cultural centers such as the National Museum of Natural History and Science, Portugal and international exchanges with institutions like the Mathematics Genealogy Project.

Category:Mathematical societies Category:Organisations based in Lisbon