I have been chosen by my university to give a 1 hour public research lecture. Every year a researcher is chosen for this honour. Traditionally people explain their own research about designing improved airplanes or the life of a peasant in the middle ages or whatever. I don't feel that I can explain my research in an hour to the general public in any sort of intellectually honest way.


I have decided that it would be more interesting and more useful for me to try to say some things about math research in general. I hope to explain what math research is like, why it is important to society and how it differs from research in other scientific fields.


I think 3 or 4 really good examples of advances arising from recent mathematical research would go a long way to making my points in an interesting manner. I am thinking of examples like the page rank algorithm used by Google. Or perhaps modern cryptography techniques such as the RSA algorithm.


*Question:* What are some other examples that help show the public why math research is important?


I think it is
important that these be relatively recent examples and that they relate directly to things people experience themselves.


I would be grateful for any suggestions which might improve my talk.



Justifying/Explaining math research in a public address
David, I'd suggest to use physics or biology as targets.


I mean, try to build a bridge between your research area and the applications... which ultimately could turn into a technological or daily application.


**Examples:**


* Differential geometry -> General relativity (gravitation) -> Fine corrections in GPS devices.
* Lineal Algebra -> Quantum mechanics -> Transistors -> Computer and cell phones
* Chaos theory -> Critical points -> improvement of Weather predictions
* Dynamical systems -> (Population modelling ...)
* Path integrals -> Financial market


And so on...


Good luck with the seminar... and enjoy it!!! 


P.D.: Include graphics, short videos or simulations, cartoons... I'd also suggest you to watch the film Freakonomics, could help you.


