As the world slowly begins to return to “normality”, how long can pupils safely spend in a classroom if one person is infected? Or how long can patients safely wait in a doctors’ waiting room? Is a supermarket safe?

Mathematical models can give us some answers by predicting the rate of spread of viruses in an indoor space. Ian Griffiths, Professor of Industrial Mathematics, develops models that determine the quantity of SARS-CoV-2 in a room. Based on these models, scientists can decide whether a room needs more or less ventilation and if people in it should talk less.

During his captivating speech titled “How can mathematics help us reopen the world?”, Griffiths will also mention some innovative inventions of air purifiers that could take us back to normality faster.

The discussion is realized in collaboration with the Mediterranean Science Festival and will be moderated by Dr. Katerina Kaouri (Cardiff University).

Ian Griffiths is a Professor of Industrial Mathematics and a Royal Society University Research Fellow in the Mathematical Institute at the University of Oxford. His research includes: finding new strategies to provide clean water to the developed and developing world; improving the performance of filters in Dyson vacuum cleaners and air-purifiers; finding how to make star-shaped Nestlé Cheerios; fabricating glass for bendable smartphones; and providing deployment strategies for coronavirus air-purifiers.

Speech title: How can mathematics help us reopen the world? || Date & time: Monday 29, March, 11.00-11.50