Pedro Nunes' Lectures - Autumn 2025

Pedro Nunes Lecture 2025

Hugo Duminil-Copin

Hugo Duminil-Copin is a French mathematician renowned for his outstanding contributions to probability theory and statistical physics, who was awarded a Fields Medal in 2022.

He is a professor at the University of Geneva and a permanent professor at the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHÉS).

Duminil-Copin has made fundamental advances in the mathematical understanding of phase transitions and critical phenomena. His work combines techniques from probability, statistical mechanics, combinatorics, and complex analysis. He has been working on dependent percolation models whereby the state of an edge in one part of a lattice will affect the state of edges elsewhere, to shed light of Ising models, which are used to study phase transitions in ferromagnetic materials.

Beyond the Fields Medal, his remarkable work has been recognised with numerous awards and honours. These include the European Mathematical Society Prize, the Loève Prize in Probability, the New Horizons in Mathematics Prize, and the Rollo Davidson Prize. He has also been elected to the French Academy of Sciences and is a corresponding member of other distinguished academies. He has been awarded an ERC grant, has served as editor of several leading journals and delivered talks in many highly reputed institutions worldwide.

 

Title: Critical Phenomena Through the Lens of the Ising Model

Abstract:

The Ising model is one of the most fundamental lattice models in statistical physics, known for exhibiting phase transitions. Originally conceived as a model for ferromagnetism, it has since emerged as a remarkably rich mathematical framework and a powerful theoretical tool for understanding cooperative phenomena. Over the past century, extensive research has led to a profound understanding of its critical phase. In this talk, we will provide an overview of key developments in the study of this foundational model while offering broader insights into statistical physics.

30th of September
14:30 Academia das Ciências de Lisboa, Salão Nobre
Registration mandatory: register here