»Luigi Maierù’s International School in the History of Mathematics

This Third Edition is presented with the support of Chapman University, the Chapman MPP graduate program, the Kennedy Chairs in Mathematics, Philosophy and Physics, the Struppa Chair of Mathematics, the Ferrucci Institute for Italian Experience and Research, and the University of Calabria.

Third Edition - Call for Applications

"Classical Mechanics from Newton to Hamilton"

Cetraro (Cosenza, Italy) | May 29 – 31, 2026

Keynote Teachers

Niccolò Guicciardini (Univ. Milano): Newton’s mechanics and its mathematics
Craig Fraser (Univ. Toronto): Variational Mechanics from Lagrange to Hamilton

Invited Teachers

Carlos Alvarez (UNAM, Mexico City): Euler’s “New Law of Mechanics”
Paolo Freguglia (Univ. of l’Aquila): Analytical Optics and Mechanics in W.R. Hamilton
Jemma Lorenat (Pitzer College, Claremont Unv.): Early-19th-century correspondence on The Mechanism of the Heavens (1831)
Andrew Jordan (Chapman University): Analytical Mechanics from a modern perspective
Ahmed Sebbar (Chapman University): The least action principle: Past and present

We invite applications from graduate students, teachers, and junior research post-docs in the history of
mathematics as well as mathematicians seeking to engage more critically with historical subjects and
methodology to attend Luigi Maierù’s International School in the History of Mathematics to be held in the
wonderful location of Cetraro (Cosenza, South Italy) on May 29 – 31, 2026 (participants arrival on May 28 and departure on June 1).

The aim of this School in the history of mathematics is to gather early career historians of mathematics and scholars from different backgrounds who are approaching the discipline for the first time in a space to explore both content and tools for research and teaching.

Each day will be organized around formal lectures, structured discussion times, and informal
conversations. Participants will receive reading materials in advance and will be requested to
provide substantial comments which will be discussed during the collective reading sessions.

The International School will take place in Cetraro, Grand Hotel San Michele.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and a CV before March 15, 2026 to Lisa Beesley (Chapman University): beesley@chapman.edu.

We will cover meals and accommodation expenses for a selected group of candidates, who will be informed by March 31, 2026, at the latest. If you are able to fund your own expenses, please let us know in your application.

The organizing committee:

Carlos Alvarez (UNAM, Mexico)
Emilia Florio (Università della Calabria, Italy)
Jemma Lorenat (Pitzer College, USA)
Marco Panza (Chapman University, USA and IHPST, France)
Eleonora Sammarchi (University of Bern, Switzerland)
Ahmed Sebbar (Chapman University, USA)
Daniele Struppa (Chapman University, USA)

Toggle Section

May 2027: arrival May 17, departure May 21 (Memorial Day is May 31)

Topic: Algebra from the Islamic world to the Cartesian investigation

May 2028: arrival May 22, departure May 26 (Memorial Day is May 29)

Topic: The role of diagrams in mathematics: dispensable aid for intuition or indispensable tool for deduction? A historical analysis from Euclid's Elements to knoth and categories theories

May 2029: arrival May 21, departure May 25 (Memorial Day is May 28)

Topic: The Italian school of algebraic surfaces

May 2030: arrival May 20, departure May 24 (Memorial Day is May 27)

Topic: New principles in physics in the nineteenth century: Maxwell and Boltzmann

May 2031: arrival May 28, departure June 1 (Memorial Day is May 26)

Topic: Foundations and plurality of geometry in late 19th and early 20th centuries

PURPOSE

Luigi Maierù’s International School in the History of Mathematics understands the history of mathematics as the study of the development of the main ideas in mathematics, as we read them through the written works of the mathematicians who played a central role in their emergence and transformation, as well as in their general endorsement or dismissal. Our intent is to concentrate on close textual analysis of their works, and we expect our lecturers and learners to study them as deeply as possible, by placing them in their original intellectual (mainly mathematical) context, rather than simply seeking possible modern reinterpretations.

The school was born at the initiative of a few friends of Luigi Maierù, a former Professor of History of Mathematics at the University of Calabria (Unical). In the late ’80s, Luigi, in collaboration with Daniele Struppa, who was also a professor at Unical, had begun a summer school on the history of mathematics with annual cohorts on various but well-defined topics. Marco Panza was an active participant in many cohorts. After Daniele left Unical, Luigi continued this school for several years, until he retired from Unical. Both Daniele and Marco retained a vivid and passionate memory of this experience and, in agreement with Luigi himself and his colleague and current Associate Professor of History of Mathematics at Unical, Emilia Florio, decided to bring the school back to life.

The history of mathematics and physics can be done in many ways and with different purposes. But in bringing Luigi’s school back to life, we want to preserve its original spirit.

EXPECTATIONS

A school (on any topic) can be conducted in different ways and with different purposes. In this regard, we want to preserve the spirit of Luigi’s first schools. We consider that a school should have teachers and learners (which is not the same as professors and students who are understood as institutional figures). From our teachers we expect that they conform to the purpose of the school and allow, during and after their presentations, as much time as possible for discussion and conversation. This is a school (where teachers are required to teach and learners are willing to learn), but we believe that true learning only occurs in an environment in which teachers and learners interact vigorously and respectfully.

From our learners we expect that they value the purpose of the school and engage seriously in it, understanding that, while the environment is wonderful (beautiful hotel facilities, the enchanting Tyrrhenian Sea, and an easily reachable private beach), the aim of their presence is studying and learning. Attendance at classes is therefore mandatory throughout the entirety of the school, and we expect learners to be in class at the established time (not to trickle in as if entering a movie theater). We also expect learners to engage teachers in vibrant discussions and to do the assigned readings in advance.

The Maierù School is a labor of love on the part of all the members of the scientific committee and the organizers, as well as a financial investment largely supported by the Kennedy Chairs in Philosophy and in Mathematics at Chapman University. We expect commitment to this spirit of love and dedication from all participants.