The Guest Speaker at this year's Weekend will be Professor Marcus du Sautoy

Title: FINDING MOONSHINE: A mathematician's journey through symmetry.

Abstract:Symmetry is all around us.

Our eyes and minds are drawn to symmetrical objects, from the sphere to the swastika, from the pyramid to the pentagon. Of fundamental significance to the way we interpret the world around us, this unique, all-pervasive phenomenon indicates a dynamic relationship between objects.

In chemistry and physics, the concept of symmetry explains the structure of crystals or the theory of fundamental particles. In evolutionary biology, the natural world exploits symmetry in the fight for survival. What's more, symmetry - and the breaking of it - are central to ideas in art, architecture and music.

This talk takes a unique look into the mathematical mind as Marcus explores deep conjectures about symmetry. These conjectures have culminated in the most exciting discovery to date - the summit of mathematicians' mastery in the field - the Monster, a huge snowflake that lives in 196,883-dimensional space with more symmetries than there are atoms in the sun.

For further information about Marcus visit his site