Mathematicians from Münster University will be speaking at ICM 2022

Summer 2022 is looking good: Prof Gustav Holzegel and Prof Thomas Nikolaus, both members of the Cluster of Excellence Mathematics Münster, have been invited to talk about their research at the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) being held in St Petersburg in July. The ICM takes place every four years and is the oldest, largest and - scientifically speaking - most important event in the field of mathematics. Gustav Holzegel will be a "special invited speaker" and, together with Prof Peter Hintz (ETH Zurich), present an overview of recent progress made on the General Theory of Relativity. Both mathematicians will be presenting their talks in three sections: geometry, partial differential equations and mathematical physics. This structure reflects both the relevance of the work for the different fields of mathematics and, very appropriately, the Cluster's aim to "bridge the gaps" between the various branches of mathematics. Thomas Nikolaus will be giving a talk in the topology section. His main research focuses are homotopy theory and algebraic topology, but his work also relates to arithmetic and mathematical physics. More specifically, he works on (algebraic) K-theory, topological cyclic homology and various related areas. He pioneered the use of higher categorical methods to approach and solve various problems in the field. His earlier work also concerns differential cohomology theories, operads, topological field theories and mathematical physics. In the interviews below (click to unfold), the two scientists provide insights into their research areas and their expectations for the conference in St. Petersburg. What does the invitation to the ICM mean to you?