The College Record 2022

Jon Keating (Mathematics)
In my research, I have continued to focus on developing the
theory of random matrices, and on applications to machine
learning and number theory. My group has obtained a
number of results concerning the characteristic polynomials
of random matrices, their extreme value statistics, and their
connection to Gaussian Multiplicative Chaos. I have written
several papers on these topics, including a review article.
With two colleagues, Dr Hung Bui and Dr Alexandra Florea, I achieved a longstanding
goal by proving the ratios conjecture for L-functions defined over function fields.
Reports and College Activities
I organised a major international conference in Princeton celebrating 50 years since
the fields of Random Matrix Theory and Number Theory first found common ground.
I also gave several lectures at the University of Exeter, in relation to my holding the
David Rees Distinguished Visiting Fellowship there.
My teaching was focused on delivering a course in the Mathematical Institute on
Random Matrix Theory.
I completed my term as President of the London Mathematical Society, where
one of the projects I started, a scheme to support A-level Mathematics students
from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing online tutoring, got off to a most
encouraging start.
Credit: John Cairns
Charlie Louth (German)
Since publishing my book on Rilke in 2020 I have mostly
been working, off and on, on a complete edition of Friedrich
Hölderlin’s correspondence, including the letters to him,
in English. As ever it’s taking a lot longer than I’d imagined.
I’ve now completed the translations and am working on
the notes; I hope to have it all finished by the end of the
summer. The volume will include the letters to Hölderlin
from his lover Susette Gontard translated by David Constantine – a great bonus to
the volume. I’ve also edited, together with my colleagues Carolin Duttlinger and Kevin
Hilliard, a festschrift for Ritchie Robertson, who retired from the Schwarz-Taylor Chair
in German Language and Literature in the summer of 2021 (From the Enlightenment
to Modernism: Three Centuries of German Literature (2021)). The launch was several
times delayed by COVID-19 but eventually took place in March 2022. In the last year
I’ve also published an essay on ‘Celan in English’ which appeared in Paul Celan
Today: A Companion (2021). Celan will be the subject of my next book. Otherwise
I am just completing my second year as Tutor for Undergraduates – dealing with
College Record 2022 | The Queen’s College 17