Side by side: interview with Sylvie Benzoni-Gavage and Heather Harrington

Abstract

In this interview series for the EMS Magazine, each article brings together two mathematicians who share something – such as a research area, a passion, or a professional context – but differ in other ways, as for instance age, gender identity, background, or geographical location. Sitting “side by side,” they reflect on their personal and professional journeys, their views, and the worlds they live in.

The series is conducted by Raffaella Mulas and was born also thanks to the ideas and support of Apostolos Damialis (editorial director of EMS Press) and Donatella Donatelli (editor-in-chief of the EMS Magazine). By bringing together both common ground and contrast, side by side aims to reveal the richness of mathematical lives.

In this article, Raffaella Mulas interviews Sylvie Benzoni-Gavage (professor at Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 and former director of the Henri Poincaré Institute) and Heather Harrington (professor at Oxford and director of the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics).

Before I join the Zoom call, I am very curious about where this conversation will lead us. I have known Heather for a few years, while Sylvie is someone I know through the enthusiastic words of colleagues.