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How Shape Matters: An Introduction to Topology
How Shape Matters: An Introduction to Topology
Join us for an engaging public lecture by Dr Agnese Barbensi, an applied and computational topologist, presented in partnership with BrisScience as part of AMSI Winter School 2026.
Suitable for a general audience (Year 10 and above), this accessible talk will explore how mathematicians think about shape, space and structure—and why these ideas matter far beyond pure mathematics.
Whether you’re a student, researcher, educator or simply curious about mathematics, this is a fantastic opportunity to hear from a leading researcher working at the intersection of topology, data and the natural sciences.
Speaker
Dr Agnese Barbensi, The University of Queensland
Dr Agnese Barbensi is a lecturer at the University of Queensland. She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Pisa, and earned her PhD at the University of Oxford. She later held postdoctoral positions in Oxford and Melbourne. Agnese is an applied and computational topologist; her research combines tools such as knot theory, applied algebraic topology, and network theory to address real-world problems. She is particularly interested in the topological aspects of folding and dynamics in biopolymers, including proteins and DNA.
Schedule
Date: Monday 6 July 2026
Time: 6.30-7.30pm, Light refreshments from 7.30pm
Venue: The Edge, State Library of Queensland, Stanley Place, South Bank
| DATE | TIME | PRESENTER | VENUE | RECORDING |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 6 July, 2026 | 6.30-7.30pm AEDT. Light refreshments from 7.30pm | Dr Agnese Barbensi | The Edge, State Library of Queensland, Stanley Place, South Bank Also broadcast online | Watch lecture |
Talk abstract
ABSTRACT
Topology is a branch of mathematics that studies shape in its most basic form: what properties of a space remain unchanged when we bend or stretch it, but do not cut or glue it. Starting from everyday ideas of space, dimension, boundary, and connectedness, this talk introduces topology through visual examples and familiar objects such as surfaces, ribbons, and knots. Along the way, we will see how these abstract ideas help us recognise when two shapes are essentially the same, and why seemingly simple questions can lead to deep and fascinating mathematics. The talk will also touch on ways topology appears outside pure mathematics, from understanding the shape of data to studying knotted structures in biology.