The Mathematics Department is proud to announce the launch of a new endowed lecture series, made possible by a generous gift from Joseph Rosenblatt and Gay Miller. The Rosenblatt–Miller Lecture Series will bring leading scholars to campus to speak on the forefront of mathematical research and its impact on society.

We are delighted to share that the inaugural Rosenblatt–Miller Lecturer will be Moon Duchin, Professor of Computer Science and Data Science at the University of Chicago.

Professor Duchin is a nationally recognized expert on the mathematics of redistricting and gerrymandering. She is the founder and director of the Data and Democracy Lab, an interdisciplinary research group dedicated to developing mathematical tools for evaluating democratic fairness and applying them in nonpartisan, real‑world contexts. Her work has played a significant role in shaping public understanding of voting maps and electoral equity and has been prominently featured in national media, including a recent interview in The New York Times by science writer Siobhan Roberts.

Professor Duchin will visit campus on Friday, April 17, where she will deliver a public lecture at 4:00 p.m., followed immediately by a reception. Members of the community, including students, faculty, and the public, are warmly invited to attend. 

Her public lecture, titled “What Is the Weight of a Vote?”, will explore one of the foundational principles of voting rights law: One Person, One Vote. While the idea that citizens’ votes should be weighted equally is widely embraced, Professor Duchin will show that determining how to measure voting power is far from straightforward. As one Supreme Court Justice once cautioned, even well‑intentioned efforts in this area can lead to a “mathematical quagmire.” Drawing on cutting‑edge work by mathematicians and interdisciplinary collaborators, the lecture will offer an up‑to‑date perspective on how rigorous metrics can help clarify and strengthen this core principle of democratic fairness.

Additional details about the event will be shared as the date approaches.

Please mark your calendars and join us in welcoming Professor Duchin for this exciting first lecture in the new series.