George Pólya Prize for Mathematical Exposition
This prize was created in 2013 to emphasize George Pólya’s legacy of communicating mathematics effectively. It joins two long-standing Pólya prizes SIAM has awarded in combinatorics and other fields beginning in 1969.
Prize Description
The George Pólya Prize for Mathematical Exposition, established in 2013, is awarded every two years to an outstanding expositor of the mathematical sciences. The prize may be awarded for a specific work or for the cumulative impact of multiple expository works that communicate mathematics effectively. Following Pólya’s example, the nature of the work may range from popular accounts of mathematics and mathematical discovery to pedagogy to systematic organization of mathematical knowledge.
Read the full prize specifications.
Eligibility Criteria
The prize may be awarded to multiple individuals but only for contributions to their collaborative work.
Required Materials
- Nominator’s letter of recommendation for candidate
- Candidate’s CV
- Two or three letters of support from experts in the field
About the Award
The George Pólya Prize for Mathematical Exposition includes an engraved medal and a monetary award that totals $10,000 for all winners. If more than one person receives the prize, the monetary award will be divided equally among the recipients. SIAM will reimburse one recipient for reasonable travel expenses incurred in attending the award ceremony.
Learn more about the past recipients and selection committees.
Award Date
The George Pólya Prize for Mathematical Exposition will next be awarded at The Third Joint SIAM/CAIMS Annual Meetings (AN25).
Award Presentation
The prize will be presented by the SIAM President at the Prizes and Awards Luncheon. The announcement of the award will appear in SIAM News, the SIAM website, and appropriate electronic media.
Prize Fund
The initial funds for this prize were contributed by the estate of Stella V. Pólya.
Prize Selection Committee
Chair
Sonja Petrovic, ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Members
Aydin Buluc, LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY
Emily Evans, BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
Jan Modersitzki, UNIVERSITY OF LUBECK
Gianluigi Rozza, SISSA-ISAS
Attend the Annual Meeting
The George Pólya Prize for Mathematical Exposition will next be awarded at the 2025 SIAM Annual Meeting.
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