Announcing the 2025 Simons Foundation Presidential Lecture Series
The Simons Foundation is excited to announce the third year of its free Presidential Lecture series.
The series offers attendees opportunities to hear directly from world-renowned scientists and mathematicians, with each lecture spotlighting groundbreaking research and fostering discourse.
Each Presidential Lecture is crafted for the New York City scientific research community and science-interested members of the broader public.
The series enables scientists to engage with the ideas that will shape the future of their fields. This year’s series explores four captivating themes, each delving into some of the most intriguing questions in science and mathematics. From unraveling the complexities of diverse brains to harnessing computers to revolutionize mathematics, these lectures will delve into fundamental questions of how we understand the universe.
The 2025 themes are:
- Neuroscience and Autism Science: “Diverse Brains”
- Physics: “Matter Under Pressure”
- Biology: “Mechanisms of Evolution”
- Mathematics and Computer Science: “Discovering Mathematics Through Computers”
Curated by Simons Foundation President David Spergel and senior foundation scientists, these high-level lectures invite interested audiences to explore cutting-edge science and mathematics. All lectures are free and held in person at the Simons Foundation headquarters in the Flatiron District of New York City. Learn more about this year’s events below.
Neuroscience and Autism Science: Diverse Brains
The 2025 lecture series in neuroscience and autism science is “Diverse Brains.” There is a remarkable variety and complexity of brains across the phylogenetic tree. In this series, scientists will delve into how differences in brain structure and function contribute to the diverse ways species perceive, interact with, and experience the world. Discussions will center around observations about the diversity of brain structure and function, highlighting the range and breadth of how the neural activity of diverse brains enacts the arc from sensation to action.
Physics: Matter Under Pressure
The 2025 lecture series in physics is “Matter Under Pressure.” This series will investigate the fascinating behaviors of matter when subjected to extreme conditions. From the intense forces found in planetary cores to the violent dynamics of cosmic events, scientists will discuss how pressure can alter the physical and chemical properties of materials. The lectures will cover a range of topics, including the creation of new materials, the study of exotic states of matter in stars, and the implications for understanding both Earth and exoplanetary environments.
Biology: Mechanisms of Evolution
The 2025 lecture series in biology is “Mechanisms of Evolution.” Evolution is the process that has shaped the diversity of life on our planet. In this series, scientists will explore the underlying mechanisms that drive evolutionary change. Topics will include evolutionary adaptation, speciation, the dynamics of host-microbe interactions, and beyond. By examining a wide range of organisms, these lectures will provide insights into how evolutionary processes have produced the complex web of life we see today.
Mathematics and Computer Science: Discovering Mathematics Through Computers
The 2025 lecture series in mathematics and computer science is “Discovering Mathematics Through Computers.” Computers are revolutionizing the way we explore mathematical concepts. In this series, mathematicians will discuss how computational techniques are enabling new approaches to developing conjectures and proving and verifying theorems. Topics will include algorithmic number theory, formal proof verification, and the role of machine learning and computational simulations in uncovering new mathematical insights. These lectures will highlight the synergy between mathematics and computer science, illustrating how digital tools are expanding the frontiers of mathematical knowledge.
