Math and much more

Approximately 120 mathematicians and theoretical computer scientists from around the world are gathering at Skidmore July 13–17 for the 12th International Conference on Finite Fields and their Applications (Fq12).

The five-day event will feature 94 lectures on various aspects of finite fields. A finite field, according to Gove Effinger, professor emeritus of mathematics at Skidmore and event coordinator, is “a finite set of numbers in which you can add, subtract, multiply, and divide, with the answers always being within the set. Finite fields play a fundamental role in all aspects of computer technology, so they are very important in our modern world. For example, all secure electronic communications are encrypted using finite fields.”

He added, “A lot of this is cutting-edge research. It’s critical to keep up with computer technology, and software must match hardware. The field is fast-moving.” Applications for finite-field research includes “pretty much everything that goes on behind the scenes in computers,” he said.

Effinger noted that this is the first time in 22 years that the conference is taking place in the U.S. Scholars from North and South America, Asia, Europe, and Africa will attend, including participants from China, India, and Japan. There will be eight invited lecturers and 86 talks. The proceedings of the conference will be published by World Scientific Publishing Co.

Although the conference will command much of the attention of the scholars, participants will attend a performance of the New York City Ballet at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, take a boat excursion on Lake George, and have several chances to explore downtown Saratoga Springs during their week on campus.

The conference is supported with grants from Skidmore, the U.S. National Security Agency, Stewart’s Shops, Adirondack Trust Co., and Elsevier Publishing Co.