IHES Annual Report 2020 | 3
A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN
The reason that IHES is a place for discoveries and ideas is that it is first and foremost a place for meetings and exchanges. The way the Institute is organized is particularly conducive to informal discussions that stimulate scientific vitality and creativity. Its model is based on knowledge sharing and collaboration among researchers, from different specialties, all over the world.
The pandemic had a direct impact on this model, which required many adjustments. Some of these will continue to serve the Institute and its community in the future. They include greater access to events, high levels of interaction for those who cannot be present in person, best practices for remote effective working and making better use of all the digital tools available.
The pandemic actually improved the Institute s organization, as it reassessed its day-to-day operations. However, it also reminded everyone of the importance of face-to-face contact, unscheduled discussions and new interactions, reasserting the relevance of the IHES model and its underlying vision.
Togetherness, community and fruitful interactions characterize the Institute, a one-of-a-kind place that many people have become attached to. Our invited researchers come to us to produce the highest levels of excellence in scientific research. But the reason they come back so often also lies in the warm welcome they receive and the lasting relationships they are able to establish.
When planning and looking to the future is difficult, these lasting relationships make it easier to negotiate crisis situations. The loyalty and support of our donors was particularly invaluable in these difficult times, keeping the Institute in good financial health. We are very grateful to Huawei Technologies France in that respect. This year, the technology giant renewed its commitment to the Institute with a very significant six-million-euro donation, which funds both a postdoc program and the consolidation of the Huawei Algebraic Geometry Chair.
Despite travel between the US and France being severely curtailed, the Institute was also fortunate in enlisting support from many American donors, thanks to Friends of IHES. Our warm thanks go to all the new donors who chose to support IHES in 2020 and helped maintain its model of free and curiosity-driven research. The strength of our community guarantees the robustness and resilience of IHES over the long term.
MARWAN LAHOUD IHES Chairman
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2020 Annual report of the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques
Publication Director: Claire Lenz Production and contents: IHES/Fanny Dufour and communication and development team (Giulia Foffano, Claire Lenz and Valérie Touchant) Photos and illustrations: IHES and others contributors Translation/Revision: Hélène Wilkinson Interactive catalog: Fluidbook by Kadreo
IHES would like to thank all the staff and professors who contributed to this activity report.
