Emily Riehl

Emily Riehl is the Kelly Miller Professor of Mathematics at Johns Hopkins University, serving as Director of Graduate Studies. She previously held positions at Harvard University as a Benjamin Peirce Postdoctoral Fellow and NSF Postdoctoral Fellow. Her research focuses on category theory, homotopy theory, and homotopy type theory, with particular emphasis on foundational aspects of ∞-categories. She co-authored Elements of ∞-Category Theory (with Dominic Verity) and authored Categorical Homotopy Theory and Category Theory in Context.

Education:
- Ph.D. in Mathematics (2011), University of Chicago, advised by J. Peter May
- Part III of the Mathematical Tripos (Distinction, 2007), University of Cambridge
- A.B. in Mathematics (magna cum laude, 2006), Harvard University

Research Interests:
Her work bridges foundational category theory with homotopy-theoretic applications, emphasizing model-independent approaches to ∞-categories. She explores synthetic formalization frameworks in homotopy type theory and collaborates on projects involving computer-aided proof systems like Lean and Rzk.

Key Contributions:
- Developed the ∞-cosmoi framework for model-independent ∞-category theory
- Co-created synthetic foundations for ∞-categories within homotopy type theory
- Authored influential textbooks shaping modern category theory education

Awards & Recognition:
- AWM Birman Research Prize (2021)
- AMS Fellow (2022)
- Simons Fellowship (2022)
- Johns Hopkins President’s Frontier Award (2020)

Service & Outreach:
- Co-host of the n-Category Café blog
- Co-founder of Spectra (LGBTQ+ mathematicians association)
- Organized major conferences and summer schools on ∞-categories and homotopy type theory
- Advocate for inclusive academic practices and AI ethics in mathematics