Jay Daigle

Teaching Assistant Professor of Mathematics
The George Washington University
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Mathematics
Phillips Hall 720E
801 22nd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052

Email: jaydaigle@gwu.edu
Twitter: @ProfJayDaigle

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I am a Teaching Associate Professor of Mathematics at the George Washington University in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. Until Fall 2020, I taught at Occidental College.

I am currently (Spring 2026) teaching Math 1007: Mathematics and Politics, Section 11, and Math 1232: Single-Variable Calculus I, Section 13.

I write about the ways our hidden assumptions shape our decisions and beliefs, and how we can use mathematical thinking to better understand the world and ourselves. I am especially interested in how a mathematical approach to thinking and modeling can help people make better decisions, and better understand subjects from philosophy to politics to everyday life.

I received my Ph.D. in Mathematics at Caltech, studying number theory under Matthias Flach, in June 2014. Prior to that I received a Masters of Advanced Study in Mathematics (Tripos part III) at Cambridge University in June 2009 and a B.A. in math from Pomona College in May 2008.

My graduate research was in number theory and arithmetic geometry. My thesis research used $(\phi, \Gamma)$-modules to study special values of $L$-functions and the equivariant Tamagawa number conjecture, which relates to both the Riemann zeta function and the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture on elliptic curves. You can find a copy of my thesis work here, and a copy of my paper with Matthias Flach here.

I have also studied non-unique factorization problems in numerical monoids. Numerical monoids have a rich theory of factorization that is accessible to students with an undergraduate background in mathematics.

In my free time, I participate in several forms of social partnered dancing, and used to compete in and coach ballroom dance.