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

With the support of Chapman University, the Chapman MPP graduate program, the Bren Presidential Chair in Mathematics, the Kennedy Chair of Philosophy, and the Struppa Chair of Mathematics at Chapman University

Second Edition

Call for Applications

"The origins and developments of Real Algebras and the theories of Hypercomplex Numbers"

Cetraro (Cosenza, Italy)

May 26-28, 2025

Keynote Teachers:

  • Aldo Brigaglia (University of Palermo)
  • Ivahn Smadja (University of Nantes)


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 the Luigi Maierù’s international school in the history of mathematics to be held in the wonderful location of Cetraro (Cosenza, South Italy), from May 26 to May 28, 2025.

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.

More particular topics we’ll deal with might include:

  • William R. Hamilton’s and Arthur Cayley’s invention of Quaternions and Octonions: The heritage of the Analytical Society in Great Britain and Ireland.
  • James Cockle’s misconstrued theory of Congeneric Equations and the (almost casual) invention of Bicomplex Numbers.
  • The structural and classificatory study of some Real Algebras by mathematicians such as Hermann Hankel, Emmy Noether, Leonard E. Dickson, Joseph Wedderburn, Gaetano Scorza.
  • The geometrical applications of Hypercomplex numbers (including those of Octonions and Dual Numbers in non-Desarguesian and non-Archimedean geometries).
  • The use of Octonions in Fano’s plane and finite geometry.


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 January 15, 2025 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 February 1, 2025 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)
  • Emilia Florio (University of Calabria)
  • Jemma Lorenat (Pitzer College)
  • Marco Panza (Chapman University and IHPST)
  • Eleonora Sammarchi (University of Bern)
  • Ahmed Sebbar (Chapman University)
  • Daniele Struppa (Chapman University)