“Acceptance Speech” Frontiers of Knowledge Award 2023 in Basic Sciences

Acceptance speech by Yakov Eliashberg, winner of the 2023 Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Basic Sciences, who was honored alongside Claire Voisin for their outstanding contributions to algebraic and symplectic geometry. His work has been fundamental to the development of symplectic geometry and topology, as well as to establishing connections with other areas of mathematics.

Eliashberg explains the relationship between symplectic geometry and classical mechanics, quantum physics and field theory, and reflects on the tension between flexibility and rigidity in mathematical research. He reviews some of his contributions, including his proof of the Arnold fixed point conjecture for surfaces and the development of symplectic field theory. He also highlights the importance of scientific collaboration and acknowledges the influence of his teachers and colleagues throughout his career.