CWI Lectures on Algebraic and Geometric Methods in Optimization (2022)

These CWI Lectures are devoted to novel solution methods that combine dedicated algebraic and geometric approaches and sophisticated computational tools from mathematics and computer science. During the event, we will celebrate Monique Laurent’s appointment as a CWI Fellow for her contributions to research in the area of Polynomial Optimization. The theme of this year’s lectures was chosen in honor of Monique’s work.
  • CWI Lectures on Algebraic and Geometric Methods in Optimization (2022)
  • 2022-11-16T13:00:00+01:00
  • 2022-11-16T18:00:00+01:00
  • These CWI Lectures are devoted to novel solution methods that combine dedicated algebraic and geometric approaches and sophisticated computational tools from mathematics and computer science. During the event, we will celebrate Monique Laurent’s appointment as a CWI Fellow for her contributions to research in the area of Polynomial Optimization. The theme of this year’s lectures was chosen in honor of Monique’s work.
  • What English Lectures Networks & Optimization
  • When 16-11-2022 from 13:00 to 18:00 (Europe/Amsterdam / UTC100)
  • Add event to calendar iCal

How to compose a portfolio ensuring maximum revenue while minimizing risk? How to control trajectories of solutions in dynamical systems? How to find the best sphere packing or the minimum energy of an interacting particle system? How to find optimal power flows in energy networks?

Such difficult optimization problems arise in diverse fields and application areas, such as operations research, discrete geometry, machine learning, theoretical computer science, and control theory.

These CWI Lectures are devoted to novel solution methods that combine dedicated algebraic and geometric approaches and sophisticated computational tools from mathematics and computer science.

Various aspects will be covered by four world-leading experts: Amir Ali Ahmadi (Princeton University), Etienne de Klerk (Tilburg University), Rekha Thomas (University of Washington), and Frank Vallentin (Universität zu Köln).

During the event, we will celebrate Monique Laurent’s appointment as a CWI Fellow for her contributions to research in the area of Semidefinite and Polynomial Optimization. The theme of this year’s lectures was chosen in honor of Monique’s work.

The lectures are intended for a broad mathematical audience and in 2022 the program committee consists of Daniel Dadush and Guido Schäfer (Networks and Optimization Group). This event at CWI is freely accessible after registration.

Preliminary program:
13.00–13.10 Welcome
13.10–13.55 Etienne de Klerk (Tilburg University) - Proving inequalities using semidefinite programming duality: applications in the worst-case analysis of iterative methods
13.55–14.40 Frank Vallentin (Universität zu Köln) - Generalizations and Applications of the Lovász theta number
14.40–15.15 Break
15.15–16.00 Amir Ali Ahmadi (Princeton University) - Local Minima in Polynomial Optimization
16.00–16.45 Rekha Thomas (University of Washington) - Graphical Designs: Structure, Complexity and Applications
16.45–16.50 Closing
16.50–18.00 Drinks
On this page, you'll find more information about the speakers and their presentations.

For inquiries and further details about the lectures, please contact event coordinator Daniëlle Kollerie (D.C.Kollerie@cwi.nl).