Dan Petersen elected member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Dan Petersen began researching algebraic geometry, a classic subject in mathematics, where geometry is studied through the solution of equations, or the solution of equations through geometry. His focus has been in particular on so-called moduli spaces, that is, a kind of mathematical map or space that organizes various geometric objects, of Riemann surfaces.

A Riemann surface is a two-dimensional surface with special geometric properties. The concept of a Riemann surface was introduced in the 19th century and today plays an important role in many scientific fields, such as the number theory of mathematics and the string theory of physics. The moduli space describes how Riemann surfaces can be deformed.

In early 2025, Dan Petersen was awarded the Edlund Prize by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for “outstanding contributions in algebra, geometry and topology with applications in number theory.”

The new members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences are prominent researchers in areas such as algebraic geometry, quantum and particle physics, biomolecular systems, bio-organic chemistry, and research on societal governance, migration and global processes.