Nancy Rodriguez — A journey through the use of mathematical models to gain insight into sociological phenomena
The Center for Urban Science + Progress (CUSP) at NYU Tandon welcomes you to attend a lecture Nancy Rodriguez, associate professor of applied mathematics at the University of Colorado Boulder. This event, hosted as part of the Spring 2026 Urban Science Research Seminar Series, will be held in Room 1201 at 370 Jay Street.
About the Lecture
A journey through the use of mathematical models to gain insight into sociological phenomena
While mathematical models have traditionally played a central role in physics and engineering, they have increasingly become valuable tools in disciplines such as biology, ecology, and sociology. In this talk, I will explore how partial differential equations and dynamical systems can be used to gain insight into various social phenomena. The first part of the talk will focus on modeling protest activity, approached from a multi-scale perspective. In the second part, I will discuss the use of kinetic equations as a framework for understanding systemic social issues. I will introduce a new numerical method designed to efficiently solve large systems of kinetic equations with transition potentials relevant to social applications. This method will then be applied to a case study on the spread of violent acts. Finally, I will highlight the advantages of employing mathematical modeling in situations where empirical data is limited or unavailable.
About the Speaker
Nancy Rodriguez is an Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Colorado Boulder. She earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she was advised by Andrea L. Bertozzi. From 2011 to 2014, she was an NSF-funded postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University. She was an assistant professor in the mathematics department at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and is currently associate professor in the applied mathematics at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Her research focuses on nonlinear and nonlocal partial differential equations and their applications to social, biological, and ecological systems. Her work combines rigorous mathematical analysis, numerical methods, and modeling to study phenomena such as aggregation, chemotaxis, urban crime dynamics, social segregation, and ecological pattern formation. She has contributed to the theory of nonlocal PDEs and to the development of mathematical frameworks that explain collective behavior and inform intervention strategies in complex systems.
Visitor Information
This event will be held in Room 1201 at 370 Jay St. Please visit the NYU Tandon website for directions and a campus map. Advance registration through Luma is required for campus access at NYU for external guests.
About the Urban Science Research Seminar Series
The Center for Urban Science + Progress’s annual Research Seminar series features leading voices in the growing field of urban informatics examining real-world challenges facing cities and urban environments around the world. The Spring 2026 series is organized by Assistant Professors Graham Dove, Yuki Miura, Qi Sun, and Takahiro Yabe.