Mathematics at the heart of major challenges

Mathematics at the heart of major challenges

The major challenges facing our planet require cross-disciplinary perspectives and ongoing dialogue between science and society.

Scientific challenges
for society and the environment

Scientific challenges for society and the environment

From climate change and species extinction to urbanisation, resource consumption, pollution and disease, the environmental consequences of human interaction with the Earth raise major societal challenges. The urgency of the situation calls for a large-scale, interdisciplinary scientific strategy.

Transversal questions

Transversal questions

How can decision-making best be informed to ensure sustainable resource management? What forms of urban organisation are most environmentally sustainable? How can panic be taken into account when modelling crowd behaviour? How can effective evacuation procedures be developed for natural disasters or terrorist attacks? How should extreme events be taken into account? How does climate change affect the migration patterns of birds? What are the uncertainties in projections derived from climate models?

Mathematics in synergy
with other sciences

Les mathéma-tiques en synergie avec les autres sciences

Mathematics plays an important role in other disciplines, providing theoretical and numerical insights through modelling, analysis and simulation. It allows us to understand, describe and tackle complex problems in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, economics, computer science, geography and demography. In turn, the challenges that arise in these areas help drive the development of new mathematical theories.

After years, I have deeply regretted that I did not proceed far enough at least to understand something of the great leading principles of mathematics: for men thus endowed seem to have an extra-sense.

Darwin
Autobiography, 1887

3 main research lines
for the iMPT

To tackle the major mathematical challenges facing planet Earth, the iMPT organises its activities around three main research lines.

Living planet

  • Ecosystem complexity

  • Population adaptation

  • Invasive species

  • Zoonoses and epidemiological risks

  • Ecosystem services

  • Plant growth

  • Agriculture, fisheries and biodiversity

  • Regional dynamics and resilience

  • Cellular ecology

  • Human and global health

Fluid solid planet

  • Climate and climate change

  • Energy exchange and turbulence

  • Oceans and atmosphere

  • Land-ocean coupling

  • Glacier dynamics

  • Operational hydrology

  • Underground resource management

  • Underground modelling

  • Seismic and volcanic activity

  • Natural disasters

Human planet

  • Renewable energies

  • Sustainable resource management

  • Urban planning and mobility

  • Pollution and waste

  • One health policies

  • Adaptation to climate change

  • Natural risk management

  • Evolution of human behaviour

  • Complex networks

  • Data security

Academic and
public resources

Academic and public resources