Disappearing Grants, Genius Grants, and the AI Proofs with Lauren K. Williams
3/11/202626 min
In this episode, Lauren Williams, professor of mathematics at Harvard University and a 2025 MacArthur Fellow, speaks about the surprising and often messy reality of mathematical research. The conversation begins with a turbulent moment in academia, when federal grants supporting her work were suddenly canceled—only months before she received the MacArthur “Genius Grant,” an unexpected recognition that allowed her to continue her research. Williams explains her work in algebraic combinatorics, illustrating how abstract mathematics can connect to real-world systems. The discussion also explores the human side of discovery, from collaborations that span continents to the strange coincidence of research papers...
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First 90 secondsAutumn Phaneuf· Host0:01
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Lauren Williams· Guest0:22
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Speaker 30:28
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Noah Giansiracusa· Host1:21
What happens when the funding for your research disappears overnight, and shortly after, you receive one of the most prestigious awards in the