Dr. Anna Stokke is a pure mathematician working in the area of mathematics called group representation theory. Group theory is often referred to as the “mathematical language of symmetry” since the symmetries of an object form a group. A group representation provides a way of associating a group with a set of matrices to reveal important properties about the group. A matrix is simply an array of objects and matrices have properties that are well understood.

Representation theorists are especially concerned with irreducible representations. Since any representation of a finite group can be broken down into irreducible representations, much like a positive integer can be written as a product of prime numbers, the irreducible representations are the building blocks for the representationsof the group. The more that is known about the irreducible representations, the better the understanding of the group. Dr. Stokke's research involves the study of irreducible representations of various groups. As a pure mathematician, Dr. Stokke's research does not immediately respond to a specific need. As is most often the case in this popular field of study, the mathematics is developed without consideration of practical application but it may emerge later and be of use to physicists or other scientists.

Dr. Stokke finds mathematical research extremely rewarding. “After forming a conjecture, it can take many hours of thinking and trying different approaches before the conjecture is proved,” explains Stokke. “However, achieving the end result - a newly proved theorem - is very gratifying.”

Dr. Stokke has collaborated on various projects with colleagues at the University of Bristol, England, and the University of Alberta.