10/06/2025

CBM: Roundtable discussion addresses the role of mathematicians outside academia.

The presence of mathematicians in strategic sectors of the economy, such as finance, technology, industry, and public administration, is increasingly important. A study by Itaú Social, in partnership with IMPA, indicates that professions linked to mathematics represent 4.6% of Brazil's GDP. The 3Thursdays Brazilian Mathematics Colloquium (CBM) will discuss this topic in the round table "The Value of Mathematics Outside Academia: Discussion on the Presence of Mathematicians in Companies and the Academia-Industry Interaction".

Coordinated by researchers José Alberto Cuminato (USP-SC and Center for Research in Applied Mathematics to Industry), María Soledad Aronna (FGV-EMAp), and Marta Batoréo (UFES), the discussion will feature guests Gustavo Nonato (USP-SC), João Carabetta (Rio de Janeiro City Hall), Pedro Peixoto (USP), and Marcelo Viana, Director-General of IMPA. The aim is to discuss the role of mathematicians in companies, highlight successful experiences of cooperation between universities and industry, and map the professional trajectories of graduates from mathematics courses in Brazil. The meeting will take place on July 30th at 6:30 PM at IMPA. See the event program here .

According to the organizers, the idea for the roundtable discussion arose from the perception that "the academic community has little information about what mathematicians who have gone into the job market do," points out María Soledad.

Given this scenario, the meeting will address three main themes:

Mathematics in the workplace: Which skills developed during academic training are most valued outside of university? What types of problems do mathematicians solve in sectors such as finance, technology, and public administration?
Bridges between academia and business: How to make joint projects viable? What experiences have been successful in Brazil and abroad?
National overview: Where are graduates of mathematics courses in Brazil going? Is there a predominance of certain areas or sectors?

José Cuminato reinforces the importance of the topic: “We train PhDs to work in industry as well — as happens in countries like France, Germany, and the United States. But in Brazil, there is still a limited vision, centered on university teaching.” For him, the space given by IMPA to the debate is symbolic: “If IMPA itself is putting this on the agenda, it’s because it’s important. It’s a sign of openness, and it can help us change the way mathematics is perceived and taught,” he concluded.

The organizers expect to attract both students in training and established professors and researchers interested in expanding their professional horizons.

The panel discussion will take place during the official Colloquium program and is open to all registered participants. The idea is to offer an opportunity for reflection on the multiple possible paths for mathematics in the 21st century.

About the Colloquium

The CBM is the most comprehensive scientific meeting of the Brazilian mathematical community and has contributed significantly to its development and strengthening.

Held biennially since 1957, the CBM involves undergraduate and graduate students from all over the country, as well as Brazilian and foreign researchers. This year, the event will honor the former director-general and emeritus researcher of IMPA, Jacob Palis, who passed away on May 7th of this year, at the age of 85.

A member of ten National Academies of Sciences and recipient of honorary doctorates from nine universities in Brazil and around the world, Palis was one of the country's leading scientists and most awarded and respected mathematicians.