MSCS and Society Series

Macalester’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science is host to the MSCS and Society Speaker Series, the purpose of which is to enhance classroom learning in mathematics or computer science through lectures by people prominent in these fields. These talks are free and open to the public. Neighbors of the college, students at local colleges, and high school students are especially encouraged to attend.

The series was established in January 2001 and is made possible through the generous financial support of Macalester alumnus Kurt Winkelmann ’78.

MSCS and Society Lecture, 2025-26

Ranthony Clark, Ph.D.
Duke University
Monday, February 2, 2026, 4:40 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
John B. Davis Lecture Hall, Campus Center

Title
A Case For Quantitative Justice

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Quantitative Justice is an emerging interdisciplinary research field that asks a simple but powerful question: How do the mathematical sciences interact with society? Bringing together ideas from mathematics, statistics, computer science, and data science, Quantitative Justice develops rigorous tools to investigate real-world systems that shape people’s lives.

In this talk, I introduce the central ideas of Quantitative Justice and highlight examples from several research communities that show how mathematical approaches can illuminate questions of fairness and representation. I will also focus on my own work, which centers on voting rights and electoral redistricting, as an example of how quantitative methods can deepen our understanding of democratic processes. 

Along the way, we’ll explore what it takes to view a social concern from a quantitative lens, and how doing so can generate both meaningful societal insights and rich mathematical problems. I will also reflect briefly on my path into this field and why Quantitative Justice offers exciting opportunities for students and scholars who want to use their quantitative skills in service of a better society. 

 Previous speakers