ICM Public Lecture: Talithia Williams

Between Numbers and People: The Art of Mathematical Communication

Speaker: Talithia Williams
Date: July 25, 2026, 5:30 - 6:30 pm

ABSTRACT
Mathematics shapes the modern world, from medicine and climate science to technology and public policy. Yet too often, it remains invisible or inaccessible to the very communities it serves. To meet the challenges of the future, mathematicians must not only discover new knowledge, but also learn to share it in ways that inspire curiosity, trust, and participation. In this talk, Talithia Williams will explore how storytelling can transform the way we communicate mathematics to the public. By connecting ideas to human experience, culture, and purpose, we can turn abstract concepts into meaningful narratives that invite people into the joy of discovery.

SPEAKER BIO

Renowned for her popular TED Talk, "Own Your Body's Data", Dr. Talithia Williams takes sophisticated numerical concepts and makes them understandable to a wide audience. She demystifies the mathematical process in amusing and insightful ways, using statistics as a way of seeing the world in a new light and transforming our future through the bold new possibilities inherent in the STEM fields.
Dr. Williams develops statistical models which emphasize the spatial and temporal structure of data and has partnered with the World Health Organization in developing a cataract model used to predict the cataract surgical rate for countries in Africa. Through her research and work in the community at large, she is helping change the collective mindset regarding STEM in general and math in particular - rebranding the field of mathematics as anything but dry, technical or male-dominated but instead a logical, productive career path that is crucial to the future of the country.

ABOUT ICM

The International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) is among the largest and most prestigious mathematical conferences worldwide. Held every four years, it is a showcase of contemporary mathematics and an opportunity for outstanding mathematicians from the global community to present the best work, covering all mathematical subfields and setting future directions for the field as a whole. The last U.S.-based ICM was held in 1986 in Berkeley, CA and after 40 years, the congress will return to Philadelphia, PA July 23-30, 2026.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

• You must be 18+ to attend this event
• Registration will close 1 hour prior to event.
• Please only register yourself and use your complete first and last name as it appears on your photo ID when filling in the form.
• Tickets under the same name do not count as registrations for others and each ticket must be registered under an individual attendee’s name. If you have a guest you would like to bring with you to this event, please send them the link to register so they can sign up on their own.
• Please note that the International Congress of Mathematicians will never ask for credit card information or require payment for registration to our free public events.
  

BUILDING ENTRY PROTOCOL

• Enter the Pennsylvania Convention Center via Broad St Atrium.
• Check-in at a kiosk and print a badge. All attendees must have a badge to enter the Terrace Ballroom.
• Limited seating is available for this in-person event on a first-come, first-served basis.

INCLUDED WITH TICKET

• Exhibit Hall Access 4:00-6:00 pm
• Mathemalchemy
  

SCHEDULE

Doors open: 5:00 pm (No entrance before 5:00 pm)

Lecture: 5:30 - 6:30 pm (Admittance closes at 5:45 pm)

All attendees must register in advance to attend this event. By registering, participants agree to follow the .

COMPLETE PUBLIC LECTURES SERIES

• Public Lecture with Terence Tao | Register Here
  Friday, July 24, 2026 7:15-8:15 pm
• Public Lecture with Talithia Williams | Register Here
  Saturday, July 25, 2026 5:30-6:30 pm
• Public Lecture with Geordie Williamson | Register Here
  Sunday, July 26, 2026 3:30-4:30 pm
• Public Lecture with Manjul Bhargava | Register Here
  Monday, July 27, 2026 3:30-4:30 pm
• Public Lecture with Ingrid Daubechies | Register Here
  Tuesday, July 28, 2026 3:30-4:30 pm

OTHER ICM OUTREACH INITIATIVES

• Math Festival Day 1 | Register Here
  Friday, July 24, 2026 2:00 - 6:00 pm
• Film Screening + Q&A of Journeys of Black Mathematicians Part 1: Forging Resilience| Register Here
  Friday, July 24, 2026 2:00 - 3:45 pm
• Film Screening + Q&A of Journeys of Black Mathematicians Part 2: Creating Pathways| Register Here
  Saturday, July 25, 2026 11:00 am - 12:45 pm
• The Proof in the Code: A Conversation with Author Kevin Hartnett & Publisher Thomas Lin | Register Here
  Saturday, July 25, 2026 1:15 - 2:15 pm
• Math Festival Day 2 | Register Here
  Saturday, July 25, 2026 2:00 - 6:00 pm
• Math, Music and the Mind: Analysis of the Performed Trio Sonatas of J. S. Bach and Organ Performance at Cathedral Basilica | Register Here
  Saturday, July 25, 2026 5:00 - 6:30 pm
• From Classroom to Canvas: Creating the ICM Mural with Oluwafemi | Register Here
  Sunday, July 26, 2026 4:00 - 5:00 pm
• Felix Klein – Insights from the Outside| Register Here
  Sunday, July 26, 2026 5:00 - 6:30 pm
• Sandbox Films Screening of PHENOMENA| Register Here
  Sunday, July 26, 2026 7:30 - 10:00 pm
• The American Mathematical Society Presents: The Music of Mathematics | Register Here
  Tuesday, July 28, 2026 7:00 - 8:30 pm

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