The Gerald and Judith Porter Public Lecture is given every year at the Joint Mathematics Meetings on a mathematical topic accessible to the broader community. The Porter Public Lecture series is offered jointly by the MAA, AMS, and SIAM.

The Gerald and Judith Porter Public Lecture Series was established through the generosity and inspiration of Gerald and Judith Porter. Gerald Porter is Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania and has served the MAA as Treasurer, as a member of the Board of Governors for 22 years, and as a member and chair of numerous committees. Judith Porter is Professor Emerita of Sociology at Bryn Mawr College. Her research focuses on the relationship between AIDS and addiction. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Mayor’s Drug and Alcohol Executive Commission of the City of Philadelphia.

Candidates are determined and the recipient is selected by the Gerald and Judith Porter Public Lecture Committee.