Alex Wiedemann
Alex's expertise is rooted in complex and dynamical systems with applications in data science and complexity theory. Broadly, he studies properties of graphs/networks and network dynamics. Evident from the breadth of his work—from quantum dynamics to cybercrime to genome rearrangement—he is excited by interdisciplinary problem spaces. Alex is also interested in the roles of diversity and inclusivity in mathematics, and in the development of teaching practices that better serve students from underserved groups. He is a senior researcher in the Data Science, Police Accountability, and Community Engagement (DSPACE) Group within the Institute for the Quantitative Study of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (QSIDE Institute), and currently serves as the Chair of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility for Spectra, The Association of LGBTQ+ Mathematicians.
Teaching philosophy
Mathematics is elegant and insightful but often misconstrued as merely a collection of facts and methods. I believe the beauty of mathematics lies not in its theorems or procedures, or even in the answers they provide, but in the intuition and clarity of understanding that mathematics grants us. This beauty is what I strive to share with my students. To this end, my teaching philosophy is anchored in the motto so often repeated in my classroom: Mathematics is a skill, not a subject. The subtle but important difference is that the content of mathematics can be learned through mindless memorization of theorems and methodology, but the intuition -- the beauty -- is developed only through practice, critical assessment, and reflection. Learning how to think mathematically is an individualized process, and my task is to guide students in actively constructing their own understanding.
