HRUMC XXV (April 7, 2018 at St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY)

Karen Saxe
Macalaster College
Mathematics & Social Justice

• Time 11:05 AM – 12:30 PM: Welcome and Invited Address
  Gulick Theatre, Noble Center

Welcoming Remarks – President Bill Fox, St. Lawrence University

Introduction of the Speaker – TBA

Macalaster College and the AMS St. Paul, MN

Abstract: Societal inequalities pose some of the biggest and most intractable challenges facing our nation today. Can mathematical concepts help us understand and analyze social inequality? What is the relationship between various imbalances in the U.S. today such as those we see in income distribution and political polarization? This talk will explore answers to these questions, and focus on quantitative approaches that mathematicians and political scientists use to measure inequalities. I will also discuss my advocacy work for the American Mathematical Society, and we’ll have plenty of time for Q & A.

Biography: Karen Saxe is Director of Government Relations for the American Mathematical Society. She works in Washington DC to connect the mathematics community with decision makers who impact scientific research and education. She is also DeWitt Wallace Professor of Mathematics at Macalester College in St Paul, MN. She has been awarded a Distinguished Teaching Award by the Mathematical Association of America, and the Macalester College Excellence in Teaching Award. She is active with policy and advocacy activities for both the Mathematical Association of America and the Association for Women in Mathematics. Karen has been a resource in Minnesota on redistricting, consulting with city governments, is currently part of the Common Cause Redistricting Leadership Circle, and served on the Minnesota Citizens’ Redistricting Commission, created to draw congressional districts following the 2010 census. She also serves on the Advisory Board for Transforming Post-Secondary Education in Mathematics (TPSE Math), an initiative sponsored by Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, aiming to effect constructive change in mathematics education at community colleges, 4-year colleges and research universities.

Previous Keynotes:
https://academics.skidmore.edu/blogs/hrumc/previous-keynotes/