The Rise of the Boycott Petition

The mathematics community is in turmoil as over 2,100 mathematicians from more than 75 countries have signed a petition calling for the relocation of the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) from Philadelphia, United States. Launched by University of Toronto mathematicians Ila Varma and Tarik Aougab, the petition argues that the U.S. is no longer a safe or suitable host due to recent geopolitical tensions and domestic security issues. Signatories include more than 100 former ICM speakers and seven invited speakers for the 2026 event, underscoring the depth of discontent within the field.

This collective action marks one of the most significant protests in modern mathematical history, highlighting how global politics is infiltrating even the most abstract academic disciplines. The petition's rapid growth—from a few hundred to over 2,000 signatures in weeks—reflects long-simmering frustrations among international scholars who view the ICM as a symbol of unity and collaboration.

Understanding the International Congress of Mathematicians

The ICM, organized every four years by the International Mathematical Union (IMU), is the premier gathering for the global mathematics community. First held in 1897, it serves as a platform for groundbreaking presentations, plenary lectures by leading figures, and the awarding of the Fields Medals—mathematics' equivalent of the Nobel Prize, given to mathematicians under 40 for outstanding achievements. The 2018 ICM in Rio de Janeiro drew over 3,000 mathematicians and 10,000 total attendees, fostering collaborations that advance pure and applied math research in universities worldwide.

Philadelphia's selection as host in 2026 was a milestone, the first U.S. venue in 40 years since the 1986 event in Berkeley. Funded partly by the Simons Foundation, it promised to spotlight American mathematical strengths in areas like algebraic geometry and data science. However, the boycott threatens to diminish its prestige and attendance, raising questions about the viability of U.S. institutions hosting such flagship events.

U.S. Military Actions Fueling the Outrage

A pivotal trigger was recent U.S. military strikes. On April 6, 2026, U.S.-Israeli airstrikes targeted Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, Iran, destroying buildings including AI research labs. Sharif, alma mater of Fields Medalist Maryam Mirzakhani—the first woman and Iranian to win the prize—is a powerhouse for mathematical talent. Earlier, in January 2026, U.S. strikes in Venezuela obliterated the mathematics center at the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC), damaging physics, chemistry, and ecology facilities. Petition signers decry these as direct assaults on global math infrastructure, contrasting with the IMU's swift response to Russia's 2022 Ukraine invasion by moving that ICM online.

"The United States’ recent military actions are affecting all of us as humans … but in particular, there are acts of aggression that are directly affecting mathematics," said Varma. These incidents have galvanized calls for the IMU to apply consistent standards, questioning why U.S. actions warrant no venue change.

Immigration Fears and Visa Restrictions

Beyond military concerns, protesters highlight U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices and visa policies. Reports of detentions, phone seizures, and deportations at borders have deterred international travel. Visa suspensions affect citizens from 75 countries, limiting accessibility—fewer than two-thirds of nations can even apply. French Mathematical Society (SMF) President Isabelle Gallagher noted, "The French are not used to this degree of violence," citing visa uncertainties and urban security amid martial law declarations.

Purdue Ph.D. student Daniel Flores shared, "There are mathematicians hesitant to travel to the U.S. because of fears that their phones might get confiscated and they might get deported by ICE." For higher education, this erodes U.S. universities' role in global talent exchange, impacting math departments reliant on international faculty and students.

Historical Precedents and Double Standards

The controversy evokes past boycotts, like 1950 calls against the Harvard ICM over U.S. visa denials for suspected communists. The 2022 Russia relocation set a recent benchmark: IMU condemned the Ukraine invasion and shifted to hybrid format days later. Critics like Columbia's Michael Harris argue, "Holding the ICM in the United States, after it started two illegal wars, represents a double standard."

SMF's January 2026 motion invoked Benjamin Franklin's rational legacy, condemning science distrust and academic freedom attacks. Cuban and Brazilian societies have also withdrawn support.

Photo by Chela B. on Unsplash

Organizational Boycotts and Community Divide

The Société Mathématique de France (SMF)—home to more Fields Medalists than any nation except the U.S.—announced no stand at ICM 2026, prioritizing safety. Cuban Society of Mathematics and Computing and Sociedade Brasileira de Matemática followed suit. University of Toronto's Emmy Murphy, a 2018 speaker, plans to skip, citing Canadian detentions and annexation threats.

• SMF: Visa/internal security concerns, academic freedoms.
• Cuban Society: Full boycott.
• Brazilian Society: Withdrawn participation.

This fractures the community, with U.S. mathematicians like American Mathematical Society President Ravi Vakil defending openness: "International collaboration is essential to mathematical progress."

IMU and Organizers' Stance

On March 30, 2026, IMU's executive committee affirmed the event will proceed, stressing in-person exchange's value amid collaboration challenges. They noted the Local Organizing Committee's safety measures and post-event online recordings. No direct boycott address, but commitment to welcoming all. Simons Foundation and U.S. hosts echo this, planning mitigations like visa assistance.

Critics see this as ignoring Global South voices, potentially leading to a sparsely attended Fields Medal ceremony.

Impacts on U.S. Higher Education and Math Departments

U.S. universities face reputational risks. Hosting failures could deter future bids, affecting prestige and funding. Math departments, already global, risk collaboration gaps—essential for fields like topology where Iranian/Venezuelan scholars excel. Ph.D. programs may see fewer international applicants amid travel fears, straining research output.

Broader higher ed: Echoes debates on academic neutrality amid geopolitics. Institutions like UPenn (near Philadelphia) must navigate protests, balancing free speech and event security. Long-term, it prompts reviews of hosting policies, visa support, and ethical sourcing of talent.

Broader Implications for Global Academic Conferences

This boycott signals rising politicization of science gatherings. Similar to 2022 Russia, it challenges hosts on human rights, safety. For higher ed, it underscores need for hybrid models, neutral venues (e.g. Europe, Asia), and advocacy for scholar visas.

Positive angle: Strengthens calls for inclusive policies. U.S. colleges could enhance ICE liaisons, diversity training. Globally, math depts might pivot to virtual collaborations via platforms like Zoom, arXiv.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Future Outlook

Pro-boycott: Ethical imperative, protects vulnerable scholars. Pro-event: Science transcends politics; boycotts isolate U.S. talent.

Outlook: If unaddressed, attendance may halve, Fields ceremony symbolic. Solutions: Visa fast-tracks, security guarantees, or hybrid format. U.S. math leaders urge dialogue, emphasizing contributions to global challenges like AI, climate modeling.

For academics: Monitor the petition site and IMU updates. Career tip: Diversify networks beyond U.S. conferences.

Photo by Laura Rivera on Unsplash

Lessons for Higher Education Institutions

U.S. universities should audit hosting risks, invest in intl student support. Globally, foster alternatives like regional math congresses. This saga reminds: Academic freedom thrives on safe, equitable access.

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