Petition Urges Relocation of 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians from US
More than 2,300 mathematicians from nearly 80 countries have signed a petition to move the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians out of the United States. The petition cites visa barriers, safety concerns, and US policies affecting global science inclusiveness. A co-organizer stated that a Chinese boycott could influence the outcome.
More than 2,300 mathematicians from nearly 80 countries have signed a petition calling for the relocation of the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians from Philadelphia in the United States. The signatories cite visa barriers, safety concerns, and US policies that they say undermine the inclusiveness of global science.
The number of petitioners exceeds the official count of registered participants for the event.
Varma, a University of Toronto mathematician and co-organizer of the boycott, said China is uniquely situated to act due to its status as a target of US restrictions and as a major scientific powerhouse. Varma stated that the Chinese government does not apply sanctions to US universities in the same way the US government does to Chinese universities.
She added that the US is targeting the Chinese scientific enterprise as part of a broader approach to science. She encouraged them to convince their mathematical societies to do the same. The event is referred to as the “World Cup of mathematics” in the petition context.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- 2026-05-01
South China Morning Post published report on petition to relocate 2026 mathematics congress.
1 sourceSouth China Morning Post - Recent period
More than 2,300 mathematicians from 80 countries signed petition citing US policies.
1 sourceSouth China Morning Post - 2026
International Congress of Mathematicians scheduled to occur in Philadelphia.
1 sourceSouth China Morning Post
Potential Impact
- 01
The petition could lead organizers to relocate the 2026 congress outside the US.
- 02
Chinese mathematicians may join the boycott, reducing event participation.
- 03
US-China academic tensions may increase due to highlighted policy differences.
- 04
Global mathematics community could see shifts in conference hosting preferences.
Transparency Panel
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