Bosnian-American mathematician Ismar Volić has earned international recognition for his work on democracy. TED editors selected his TEDx talk as an Editor’s Pick, according to the Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAAS).
Volić teaches mathematics at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. He also directs the college’s Institute for Mathematics and Democracy.
His talk explores a surprising question: How can mathematics influence election results and political power?
The recognition comes as Americans head to the polls for the November 3 midterm elections.
How Mathematics Shapes American Elections
In his TEDxBrownU talk, Volić explains how voting rules can affect democratic representation.
For example, a candidate can win an election without receiving support from most voters. This happens when several candidates split the vote.
He also discusses gerrymandering, a practice in which political boundaries can influence election outcomes.
Moreover, Volić examines how the United States distributes seats in Congress. He argues that mathematical models can help identify problems in electoral systems.
His proposed solutions include ranked-choice voting and changes to congressional representation.
However, these ideas remain proposals rather than changes to existing federal election rules.
From Sarajevo to American Academia
Volić grew up in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. His experiences there helped shape his interest in the relationship between mathematics and politics.
Today, he studies how mathematical research can improve democratic systems.
He has also written about voting methods and political representation. His book, Making Democracy Count, explores these subjects in greater detail.
The Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences announced the TED recognition on November 2.
Volić is a member and former president of the organization.
According to BHAAAS, TED editors selected his lecture for its broader relevance. The academy described the recognition as an important achievement for the professor.
The talk appeared on the TEDx Talks YouTube channel on November 1. It offers viewers a different way to understand elections and the rules behind them.
For the Bosnian-American community, Volić’s achievement also highlights the contributions of Balkan-born scholars to American academic life.
