PD Dr Nicola Oswald

• Socio-ecological transformation research
• Sustainability sciences
• Co-creative methods for cooperation between city and university
• Impact measurement of transformation processes

Lectures

• Title: "Participatory Knowledge at Work: Co-Creating Urban Transformation in midsized-cities." (together with Annika Kreikenbohm, city2science), on 13 November 2025 at PartWiss 2025, 4th Conference on Networking and Strengthening Participation in Science, Leipzig
• Title: "Co-Creating Transformative Capacity: The Tandem-Based Urban Lab in Würzburg as a Model for Just Transitions in Mid-Sized Cities"; in Track "Urban Research for Just Cities: Pathways Toward Sustainable Transformations and Transitions " on 10 December 2025, Smart ans Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions, EURAC Research, Bolzano (Italy)

Monographs

• Dömling, Maria Theresa; Klotz, Renate; Leisner, Viola; Oswald, Nicola. Sustainability among students: Wishes, needs and possible forms of participation. In: Von Wirth, Timo; Vogel, Thomas; Jansen, Petra (eds.): Compass for change. Shaping the world of tomorrow with transformative skills.(Publication in October 2025)
• Oswald, N., Steuding, J. Hurwitz's Lectures on the Number Theory of Quaternions, EMS Press series HEM: Heritage of European Mathematics (2023)
• Oswald, N., Steuding, J. Elementary Number Theory: A Gentle Introduction to Higher Mathematics Textbook, Springer (2014)
• Oswald, N. Hurwitz's Complex Continued Fractions. A Historical Approach and Modern Perspectives. (doctoral thesis) (2014) OPUS, Online Publication Service of the University of Würzburg, urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-106040

Publication of books / journals

• Edited with Kaufholz-Soldat, E. Against all Odds. Women's Ways to Mathematical Research Since 1800, in the series Women in the History of Philosophy and Sciences, series ed.: Hagengruber, R. et al., Springer (2020)
• Publication of an interactive digital mathematics youth book with Schmidt, K. Die Primzahl-Redakteure, Sophie Germain und operative Mathematik, developed as part of a course at the Junior Uni Wuppertal in the summer semester 2016, publisher: ABC Mathe Handels e.U. / 4learning2gether.eu (2021)
• Published by: Nelsen, R. B. Proofs without words. (German edition of "Proofs Without Words"), Springer (2016)
• Edited with Blunck, A. and Motzer, R. Mathematics and Gender. Volume 4 in the publication series TRANSFER, Franzbecker Verlag (2016)

Peer-reviewed articles and book contributions (selection)

• In publication: Oswald, N., Rhomberg, L., & Wallstabe, L. Sustainability knowledge at the University of Würzburg: Potentials of transformation experiments in the field of tension between science and practice. In D. Bräunling, L. Koch, J.-P. Schäfer, M. Silva, & U. Zeigermann (Eds.), Umkämpftes Nachhaltigkeitswissen. Würzburg University Press (forthcoming).
• Dömling, M. T., Klotz, R., Leisner, V., Oswald, N. Sustainability among students: Wishes, needs and possible forms of participation. In: Von Wirth, T., Vogel, T., Jansen, P. (eds.): Compass for change. Shaping the world of tomorrow with transformative skills. oekom Verlag (2025)
• Oswald, N. Structured analysis of a socio-mathematical network - The correspondence between Hermann Minkowski, David Hilbert and Adolf Hurwitz. In: Schöneburg-Lehnert, S., Krohn, T., Dasenbrock, L. (eds.): "Vom Mittelalter in die Moderne - Episoden aus der Mathematikgeschichte" der Jahrestagung 2023 der Sektion Mathematikgeschichte der Deutschen Mathematiker Vereinigung, book series "Schriften zur Geschichte der Mathematik und ihrer Didactik", WTM-Verlag (2024)
• Oswald, N. Simplifying a proof of transcendence for e - A letter exchange between Adolf Hurwitz, David Hilbert and Paul Gordan. In: The Richness of the History and Philosophy of Mathematics (eds. Chemla, K. Scholz. E. et al.), Archimedes series, Springer (2024) 227-254
• Oswald, N., Steuding, J., Volkert, K. Zum Einhundertsten Geburtstag des Lokal-Global-Prinzips in der Zahlentheorie, Jahresber. Dtsch. Math. Ver. (2022) 124: 239-257, doi.org/10.1365/s13291-022-00262-8
• Oswald, N. Mathematic-historical example for university teaching of mathematics - how can methodical knowledge be taught as well as the culture of mathematics be made accessible? In: Proceedings of the Twelfth Congress of the European Society for Research n Mathematics Education (CERME), eds. Hodgen, J. et al. (2022) 2097-2103
• Oswald, N. "Found in bed ..." - A simple proof of Euler's four-square identity. Mathematical Semester Reports (2020) 67: 21-26
• Oswald, N., Steuding, J. A hidden Latin Square in Euler's Work from 1770. Mathematical Intelligencer (2020) 42: 23-29, doi.org/10.1007/s00283-019-09959-8
• Oswald, N., Steuding, J., Tongsomporn, J. Waring's Problem for Hurwitz Quaternion Integers. Journal of Integer Sequences 22 (2019), Article 19.8.1
• Oswald, N., Volkert, K. A Glimpse of Sources for Historical Studies at the ETH Archive in Zurich. EMS Newsletter September (2018): 28-33
• Heindl, A., Oswald, N. The clay tablet YBC 7289 - Mathematical help for archaeologists. (Theme issue: Irrational numbers), Mathematik Lehren 208 (2018): 12-15
• Oswald, N., Steuding, J. A Uniqueness Theorem for Entire Functions Having a Dirichlet Series Representation. Annales Univ. Sci. Budapest, Sect. Comp. 47 (2018): 117-128
• Oswald, N. On iconic proofs in mathematics - sums of squares in number theory. mathematica didactica (2017) 40(1)
• Oswald, N. An Unpublished Paper 'On some functions of a complex argument defined by infinite series' by Adolf Hurwitz. Historia Mathematica (2017) Volume 44: 252-279, dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hm.2017.03.003
• Oswald, N. The unknown Hurwitz. Mathematical Intelligencer (2017) 39(1): 44 - 49, doi: 10.1007/s00283-016-9687-5
• Oswald, N. On a relation between modular functions and Dirichlet series. Arch. Hist. Exact Sci. (2017) 71(4): 345 - 361, doi: 10.1007/s00407-017-0190-y
• Oswald, N., Steuding, J. Aspects of Zeta Function Theory in the Mathematical Works of Adolf Hurwitz, in: Sander, J. et al, From Arithmetic to Zeta Functions - Number Theory in Memory of Wolfgang Schwarz, Springer Basel (2017): 309-351
• Oswald, N. The Doeblin-Lenstra conjecture for a complex continued fraction algorithm. Tokyo Journal of Mathematics (2017) 40(1): 45-52
• Oswald, N. Historical Face of Number Theory(ists) In: Kristensen, S. et al. Diophantine Analysis. Notes from a Summer School. (ed. Steuding, J.), Birkhäuser (2017): 175-229
• Oswald, N. Operational irrationality proofs? Mathematics Information (2016) Issue No. 65
• Hauck, S., Oswald, N. Says the fly to the spider.... - On the historical-genetic principle in school lessons. Mathematics in the classroom (2016) 7: 65-76
• Oswald, N., Steuding, J. Zeta-Functions Associated with Quadratic Forms in Adolf Hurwitz's Estate. Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society, (2016) 53(3): 477-481, dx.doi.org/10.1090/bull/1534
• Helmstetter H., Oswald, N. Hurwitz's counting isomers of alkanes. Elements of Mathematics (2016) 71(2): 57-68, doi: 10.4171/EM/300
• Oswald, N. Adolf Hurwitz folds paper. Mathematische Semesterberichte (2015) 62(2): 123-130, doi: 10.1007/s00591-014-0139-z
• Oswald, N. Diophantine approximation of complex numbers. Siauliai Mathematical Seminar (2015) 10(18): 91-102
• Oswald, N., Steuding, J. Complex Continued Fractions - Early Work of the Brothers Adolf and Julius Hurwitz. Arch. Hist. Exact Sci. (2014) 68: 499-528
• Oswald, N. David Hilbert, a pupil of Adolf Hurwitz? Siegener Beiträge zur Geschichte und Philosophie der Mathematik (2014) 4: 11-30
• Höngesberg, H., Oswald, N., Steuding, J. Complex Continued Fractions with Constraints on Their Partial Quotients. In: Voronoi's impact on modern science, Book 5, Volume 1: 1-15, edited by Pratsiovytyi, M., compiled by Syta, H., published 2015, Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Analytic Number Theory and Spatial Tessellations (2013)
• Oswald, N., Steuding, J. Sums of Continued Fractions to the Nearest Integer. Annales Univ. Sci. Budapest, Sect. Comp. (2013) 39: 321-332

Further articles (selection)

• Klotz, R., Leisner, V., Oswald, N. Brief summary of the results of the student survey on the research project "Lived networking - The sustainability laboratory WueLAB as a catalyst for transformation processes?", (https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/fileadmin/43160000/PDF/Forschungsprojekte/20250417_Veroeffentlichung_Studierendenumfrage.pdf), Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (2025)
• Hänel, J., Oswald, N., Steuding, J., Volkert, K. Felix Klein from the perspective of three mathematical friends. Annual Report of the German Mathematical Society (2024) https://doi.org/10.1365/s13291-024-00284-4
• Oswald, N. How can perspectives and a network of participating stakeholders from all status groups at the university be captured? Laboratory Vivens / Reallabor-Report, Bernert, P. et al. (eds.), Proceedings of the Reallabore Conference Dresden (2024): 16
• Fetzer, A., Gildehaus, L., Oswald, N. Mathematics and Gender & Diversity as part of university courses - Overview of existing programmes and networking. GDM-Mitteilungen 116 (2024): 30-37
• Kelz, J., Gildehaus, L., Oswald, N. Introduction to the mini-symposium on gender-specific participation in mathematics. Contributions to mathematics education, GDM Annual Conference Frankfurt 2022, 431-432
• Oswald, N. Practical report on the seminar "Mathematics and Gender". Contributions to mathematics education, GDM Annual Conference Frankfurt 2022, 441-444
• Göller, R., Haak, I., Oswald, N., Steuding, J. Self-organised learning and gender. Introduction to the Minisymposium MS 14: University Didactics - Self-Organised Learning and Gender. Contributions to Mathematics Education 2020: 1399-1400, edited by: Hans-Stefan Siller, Wolfgang Weigel & Jan Franz Wörler, GDM Annual Conference Würzburg, Münster: WTM
• Oswald, N., Benölken, R. LuPen - a project for students in the Master of Education. Contributions to Mathematics Education 2020: 1417-1421, edited by: Hans-Stefan Siller, Wolfgang Weigel & Jan Franz Wörler, GDM Annual Conference Würzburg, Münster: WTM
• Steuding, J., Oswald, N. Awareness for gender in university didactics. Contributions to Mathematics Education 2020: 1421-1425, edited by: Hans-Stefan Siller, Wolfgang Weigel & Jan Franz Wörler, GDM Annual Conference Würzburg, Münster: WTM
• Oswald, N., Steuding, J. Maximal Quaternion Orders in Quadratic Extensions - in Hurwitz's Diaries. Oberwolfach preprints (2020) 16
• Khellaf, S., Oswald, N., Peters, J. Goals and possibilities of using knowledge maps in mathematical-historical courses. (2018), open access: arxiv.org/abs/1912.08088
• Khellaf, S., Oswald, N., Peters, J. Independent linking of knowledge? A case study on knowledge maps in university didactics. Beiträge zum Mathematikunterricht (2018): 947-950, published by: Fachgruppe Didaktik der Mathematik der Universität Paderborn, GDM Jahrestagung Paderborn, Münster: WTM
• Oswald, N. A picture puzzle from Hurwitz' estate. DMV Mitteilungen No. 25-4 (2017): 234 - 235
• Oswald, N. Women - Mathematics - Culture? Oberwolfach Report (2017) No. 2: 89-91, doi: 10.4171/OWR/2017/2
• Oswald, N. Historical paper folding - a case study. Contributions to Mathematics Education (2017): 741-744, edited by: Ulrich Kortenkamp & Ana Kuzle, GDM Annual Conference Potsdam, Münster: WTM, dx.doi.org/10.17877/DE290R-18605
• Oswald, N. Evidence without words with adolescent refugees. GDM Communication (2017), Issue 102: 5-11
• Oswald, N. Hilbert's basis theorem in the mathematical diaries of Adolf Hurwitz. in: Nuncius Hamburgensis, Proceedings of the Christoph J. Scriba Memorial Meeting - History of Mathematics. (ed. Wolfschmidt, G.) (2017) vol. 36: 340-353
• Oswald, N. The "cooling out" effect in socio-mathematical networks. Gender Equality Journal MagazIn, University of Wuppertal WS 2016/17: 31-32
• Benstein, N., Oswald, N. Combining concept maps and network maps to visualise History of Mathematics - Case study on Walther Lietzmann. online proceedings ICME Hamburg (2016)
• Oswald, N. Geometry of numbers. A historical overview. (2016), open access: arxiv.org/abs/1605.04146
• Benstein, N., Oswald, N. Network maps as a visualisation tool. Contributions to mathematics education (2016): 1513-1514, published by: Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science at Heidelberg University of Education, GDM Annual Conference Heidelberg, Münster: WTM
• Oswald, N. Curious and entertaining facts from the mathematical diaries of Adolf Hurwitz. Proceedings, XII Austrian Symposium on the History of Mathematics (2014): 74-87

Academic curriculum vitae

• August 2025, habilitation in mathematics, University of Würzburg
• March 2025, habilitation in mathematics, University of Wuppertal
• since August 2023, Managing Director of the WueLAB Sustainability Lab at the University of Würzburg
• since July 2023, Academic Counsellor at the WueLAB Sustainability Lab at the University of Würzburg
• Summer semester 2023 - winter semester 2024/25 Research assistant (Mathematics and Diversity), University of Würzburg, Chair of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences
• WS 2022/23 Visiting Professor "Gender and University Didactics in Mathematics", Bielefeld University, Faculty of Mathematics
• July 2021 - October 2022 Research Assistant (Mathematics and Society), University of Würzburg, Number Theory Group
• Since winter semester 2019/20 Assistant lecturer in higher education, University of Wuppertal, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, History and Didactics of History of Mathematics working group (currently on leave)
• WS 2017/18 - SoSe 2018 Visiting Professor (W3), focus: Gender and Diversity in Mathematics, University of Hannover, Department of Mathematics Education
• Summer semester 2017 Substitute professorship (W3), replacing Professor Dr Klaus Volkert, History and Didactics of History of Mathematics working group, University of Wuppertal, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
• August - October 2016 Academic guest at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich
• May 2015 - September 2019 Post-doctoral position with Prof. Dr Klaus Volkert in the History and Didactics of History of Mathematics group, University of Wuppertal, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
• November 2014 PhD in Number Theory with Prof. Dr Jörn Steuding, University of Würzburg, Institute of Mathematics, Chair of Function Theory

Research interests

• Socio-ecological transformation research
• Sustainability sciences
• Co-creative methods for cooperation between city and university
• Impact measurement of transformation processes

Current

• Summer semester 2026: Digital study programme "Interdisciplinary Sustainability Sciences"
• Winter semester 2025/26: Lecture series "Sustainability and Global Responsibility", Thu 12-14, fortnightly

Past

• WS 2025/26 Lecture series "Sustainability and Global Responsibility" with a focus on "Participation and Transformation"
• Summer semester 2025 Interdisciplinary seminar "Shaping sustainability"
• WS 2024/25 Lecture series "Sustainability and Global Responsibility" with a focus on "Biodiversity and Democracy"
• Summer semester 2024 Lecture together with empirical cultural studies "Shaping a sustainable campus"
• WS 2023/24 Lecture series "Sustainability and Global Responsibility" with a focus on "Interdisciplinary Sustainability Research at the University of Würzburg"
• Summer semester 2023 Exercise organisation "Introduction to number theory", 2 hours, Tue 10-12,14-16 S0.106, "Introduction to Number Theory", Wed 10-12 HS 4 ; Thu 10-12 HS 2 (together with Jörn Steuding)
• WS 2022/23 Seminar "Aspects of gender-sensitive teaching and mathematics" (Bielefeld University)
• SoSe 2022 Seminar Mathematics and Gender (University of Würzburg)
• WS 2021/21 "Selected Chapters of Analysis" (University of Würzburg, Co.-Org.)