Sven Wang, an assistant professor (Junior Professor) at Humboldt Universität zu Berlin (HU) and MATH+ member since September 2023, has been elected to the “Junge Akademie,” a recognition that underscores his contributions to mathematics and his interdisciplinary approach. Congratulations! With a career rooted in institutions like the University of Cambridge (UK) and MIT (US), Wang’s return to Germany, where he was born and raised, marks a significant milestone in his academic journey. In an interview with MATH+, he talked about his career, research interests, and love for mathematics and music. 

From Mathematical Curiosity to Interdisciplinary Innovation

Wang’s fascination with mathematics began at a young age when he developed an early love for numbers and patterns, often engaging in mathematical puzzles. Despite a strong interest in music during high school and the possibility to becoming a concert pianist, Wang chose to pursue mathematics at the Ludwig-Maximilian Universität München, with a minor in philosophy. This decision proved pivotal, as he became increasingly captivated by the profound and universal language of mathematics, appreciating its ability to describe the complexities of the world.

His academic career took him to prestigious institutions abroad for more than six years. He completed his Master’s and PhD at the Trinity College, University of Cambridge (UK), and later pursued a postdoctoral position at MIT in the US from 2021-2023. Despite the allure of staying abroad, Wang was drawn back to Germany, particularly to Berlin, for its vibrant academic environment and proximity to family and friends. He values the interdisciplinary culture he experienced in the US and aims to foster similar collaborations through projects and initiatives within MATH+ and the Junge Akademie.

Wang described his election to the Junge Akademie as both an honor and an exciting opportunity: “The Junge Akademie values my interest in societal topics and in building a bridge between the arts, music, and the sciences. I’m excited because I think it is an inspiring group of people from different disciplines, with a culture of open dialogue. In many ways, it resembles the way academia should be. I hope we will assemble interdisciplinary teams to work on exciting topics, such as our quantitative understanding of democratic procedures.” Recommended to the Junge Akademie by a member of the Leopoldina who recognized his passion for playing the piano and for societal topics, Wang’s interdisciplinary interests align with the Junge Akademie’s mission. He hopes to benefit from the experiences of other members in communicating their sciences in broader terms and to the general public. He is also excited to lead a working group that explores the intersection of the arts and sciences, as well as how their creative processes work.

Research in Mathematical Statistics and Social Choice Theory

For Wang, mathematics is more than just a subject; it is a unique language with its own grammar and rules, capable of capturing elegant structures and universal truths. He likens the discovery of mathematical principles to understanding the underlying rules of the world, such as Newton’s laws. This perspective drives his passion for mathematics and its applications in various fields. He further elaborates, “The objects I study are often algorithms. An algorithm is something that people code into a computer, for example, to predict the weather, forecast the climate, or perform tasks in artificial intelligence. But often, we don’t fully understand how these algorithms work. So, we try to build the mathematical foundations.”

Wang’s research focuses primarily on mathematical statistics. Additionally, he works in social choice theory, which he explored during his time in the US, examining the quantitative aspects of democratic processes. This includes developing fair voting systems and transparent algorithms for selecting representative citizens’ assemblies, known as “Bürgerräte” in Germany.

As a member of MATH+, Wang is involved in a project that belongs to a new Emerging Field on Mathematics to support political decision-making (EF6: Decision Support in the Public Sector). His collaboration with MATH+  members Claudia Schillings (FU Berlin) and Jobst Heitzig (PIK) on this project, related to “Bürgerräte” (EF6-2: Deliberation Processes in Citizens’ Assemblies: An Optimal Experimental Design Perspective), exemplifies his commitment to using mathematics to address societal challenges. Wang values the interdisciplinary nature of MATH+, where diverse expertise converges to foster innovative solutions.

Future Plans and Advice for Aspiring Mathematicians

Looking ahead, he plans to leverage his role in the Junge Akademie to promote interdisciplinary research and societal engagement. He believes in the importance of bringing together diverse perspectives to tackle complex issues like democracy and decision-making processes.

To young aspiring mathematicians, Wang emphasizes the value of international experience and the importance of thinking about mathematics in the context of the real world. He encourages students to embrace the multifaceted nature of mathematics and to seek interdisciplinary connections that can enrich their understanding and impact.

Wang’s journey from a curious child fascinated by numbers and patterns to a promising scientist in mathematics and interdisciplinary work is inspiring. His commitment to encouraging innovation and communication across different fields shows how mathematics can help to address modern challenges.

LINKS:

• Junge Akademie Press Release: Ten new members admitted to the Junge Akademie
• Sven Wang’s Personal Homepage
• Wang at HU Berlin
• MATH+ Project Head (together with Claudia Schillings and Jobst Heitzig): Deliberation Processes in Citizens’ Assemblies: An Optimal Experimental Design Perspective