Clara Stegehuis

Clara Stegehuis is an associate professor at the University of Twente who is fascinated by the behavior of large-scale networks. How does an epidemic spread over our network of social contacts? And how do the small-scale patterns in large networks influence this behavior? Clara investigates these topics mathematically, by using probability theory, graph theory and algorithms. Beside her research, she often talks about her research and other interesting mathematical properties for a wider audience: from explaining what mathematics can say about our most famous musicians to showing how mathematics can help us understand the spread of Covid-19. 

About the talk: Networks and epidemics

Now, 3 years after the start of the corona pandemic, everyone seems to be an epidemiologist. We all know the importance of exponential growth and the importance of the r-value. But in addition to these virus statistics, one of the most important elements is often overlooked: What is the underlying network of social contacts through which the virus spreads? And what are the mathematical properties of this network? Which network structures make it easier for an epidemic to spread? And how can we use them to stop an epidemic? In this lecture we will see how graph theory, probability theory and differential equations help to understand and fight epidemics.