The National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) announced the appointment of mathematician and researcher Tiago Hirth as its 2026–2027 Visiting Professor for Public Outreach, beginning on August 21, 2026.
Hirth is a Portuguese-German mathematician and researcher who specializes in recreational mathematics and board game studies. He prominently conducts mathematics enrichment and outreach and is a co-founder of Circo Matemático (Mathematical Circus), which combines magic, juggling, and other forms of mathematical play to engage the public.
“Tiago Hirth has a remarkable ability to make mathematics surprising, playful, and welcoming,” said Cindy Lawrence, MoMath’s Executive Director and CEO. “His work demonstrates that mathematical ideas can be discovered not only through numbers and equations, but also through games, magic, movement, and shared exploration. The Museum is delighted to welcome him as its next Visiting Professor for Public Outreach.”
Through Circo Matemático, Hirth has developed performances and workshops that invite participants to encounter mathematical ideas through curiosity, experimentation, humor, and play. His research and public engagement explore recreational mathematics, mathematical and board games, puzzles, mathematical magic, and the connections among mathematics, culture, history, and performance.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to be joining the MoMath community in the coming year. I’m looking forward to sharing the profound joy of learning that thrives in the world of games and recreational mathematics. I hope to give the MoMath audience a glimpse into the millennia-old tradition of recreational mathematics, often described as the folklore of the queen of the sciences, and to highlight the vital role that mathematics plays in games, puzzles, magic, art, history, and beyond,” said Hirth.
During his appointment, Hirth will host a range of MoMath programs for audiences of all ages, including Starring Math, Ask a Mathematician Anything, Meet a Mathematician, Volumes (MoMath’s book club for adults), Tween Primes (the Museum’s book club for tweens and teens), and QED, a series devoted to mathematics education. He will also present a minicourse on recreational mathematics, along with additional talks, workshops, and special programs throughout the year.
Additional information about Hirth’s upcoming programs is available on MoMath’s events calendar at https://momath.org/calendar/.
About MoMath
The National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) is North America’s leading cultural institution dedicated to the wonders of mathematics and its many connections to the world around it. In 2026, MoMath moved to a permanent new location at 635 Sixth Avenue between West 19th and West 20th Streets in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. The Museum is open seven days a week, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm unless otherwise noted at momath.org
