Ben Allen
@evodynamics.bsky.social
Mathematical biologist studying evolution. Professor of Mathematics at Emmanuel College, MA. Queer, nonbinary (they/them). For social and ecological justice. Jewish as in Free Palestine. https://www.emmanuel.edu/emmanuel-mathematical-biology-research-embr
My kid and his friends are starting a "Triangle Society" for math-lovers
January 22, 2026 at 10:16 PM
My kid and his friends are starting a "Triangle Society" for math-lovers
Still 10% sick, exhausted by small trip out of house, going back to bed
January 18, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Still 10% sick, exhausted by small trip out of house, going back to bed
Math sandwich selfie
January 11, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Math sandwich selfie
Ready to leave the house!
January 4, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Ready to leave the house!
Other actions happening in Northampton and Holyoke
January 3, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Other actions happening in Northampton and Holyoke
Protest 3pm today, Boston Park Street Station.
This was shared by MA Peace Action, an org I know and trust.
There appears to be some pro-Maduro framing here, which I disagree with, but the urgent need to protest the illegal coup outweighs that by far imo.
This was shared by MA Peace Action, an org I know and trust.
There appears to be some pro-Maduro framing here, which I disagree with, but the urgent need to protest the illegal coup outweighs that by far imo.
January 3, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Protest 3pm today, Boston Park Street Station.
This was shared by MA Peace Action, an org I know and trust.
There appears to be some pro-Maduro framing here, which I disagree with, but the urgent need to protest the illegal coup outweighs that by far imo.
This was shared by MA Peace Action, an org I know and trust.
There appears to be some pro-Maduro framing here, which I disagree with, but the urgent need to protest the illegal coup outweighs that by far imo.
Well this turned out great
January 1, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Well this turned out great
Awww, my would have loved to attend! This was his favorite Hanukkah present:
December 19, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Awww, my would have loved to attend! This was his favorite Hanukkah present:
Cold white powder is falling from the sky!
December 14, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Cold white powder is falling from the sky!
We also apply the theory to obtain conditions for collective help among siblings, and on networks. Diagrams show benefit/cost conditions for a given collective to help or harm a given target.
December 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
We also apply the theory to obtain conditions for collective help among siblings, and on networks. Diagrams show benefit/cost conditions for a given collective to help or harm a given target.
As a special case, we derive a "collective Hamilton's rule", showing that collective cooperation is favored if the benefit to a target, multiplied by collective relatedness to that target, exceeds cost times self-relatedness.
December 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
As a special case, we derive a "collective Hamilton's rule", showing that collective cooperation is favored if the benefit to a target, multiplied by collective relatedness to that target, exceeds cost times self-relatedness.
We presents a mathematical theory for the evolution of collective action. Our main result is a condition for whether a given action will be favored. We show this depends critically on two factors: synergy (c_{S,g}'s) and assortment (r_{S,g}'s).
December 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
We presents a mathematical theory for the evolution of collective action. Our main result is a condition for whether a given action will be favored. We show this depends critically on two factors: synergy (c_{S,g}'s) and assortment (r_{S,g}'s).
Hi everyone! I'm co-organizing this retreat/workshop June 15-19 for those looking to get started in mathematical/computational modeling of biological processes. Location is a beautiful farm in NC. Please share with students and others who want to build modeling skills. Interdisciplinarity welcome!
December 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Hi everyone! I'm co-organizing this retreat/workshop June 15-19 for those looking to get started in mathematical/computational modeling of biological processes. Location is a beautiful farm in NC. Please share with students and others who want to build modeling skills. Interdisciplinarity welcome!
Coffee is here, kid is in the next room watching a video about perfect numbers
November 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Coffee is here, kid is in the next room watching a video about perfect numbers
The disc-shaped pastry discourse is out of hand.
November 25, 2025 at 10:33 PM
The disc-shaped pastry discourse is out of hand.
Hammond Pond Park in Chestnut Hill, MA (hat by @weatherishappening.com )
November 23, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Hammond Pond Park in Chestnut Hill, MA (hat by @weatherishappening.com )
You actually caught me at coffee-drinking time today! Gonna play Blood on the Clocktower with friends later this afternoon
November 16, 2025 at 5:50 PM
You actually caught me at coffee-drinking time today! Gonna play Blood on the Clocktower with friends later this afternoon
Idk, he may be worth a second look
November 12, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Idk, he may be worth a second look
I got in nature today!
November 3, 2025 at 2:40 AM
I got in nature today!
It's nerdy pumpkin carving day
October 26, 2025 at 10:13 PM
It's nerdy pumpkin carving day
What's it like inside your head?
October 24, 2025 at 9:24 PM
What's it like inside your head?