Living Proof: the Isaac Newton Institute podcast: Recent Episodes
Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences
The Isaac Newton Institute is the world's foremost mathematical research centre. Living Proof aims to highlight the diverse people and interconnected topics linked to its many activities. Interviewees range from visiting academics and lecturers to mathematicians, other scientists, musicians, artists, students, and prominent figures within the University of Cambridge and beyond. The podcast typically involves mathematical themes, but is specifically aimed at a general audience. The focus is on the subjects being interviewed and the social stories they have to tell, not just on the significance and details of the research they may be undertaking. We hope there is interest and inspiration here for everyone.- The Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences (UK) is an international research centre based in Cambridge, UK. A part of the University of Cambridge, it has been hosting research programmes on mathematical themes since July 1992.Visit > www.newton.ac.uk/news/ini-podcast
Send us a text
In this episode of Living Proof, we speak with renowned filmmaker Ekaterina Eremenko about her film "Portrait of Olga Ladyzhenskaya", which tells the story of the legendary Russian mathematician celebrated for her groundbreaking work in partial differential equations and fluid dynamics. Ekaterina shares what inspired her to bring Ladyzhenskaya’s life to the screen, explores the creative process behind the film, and reflects on the powerful intersection of art and science.
The film was screened at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences to celebrate International Women in Mathematics Day 2025.
Send us a text
Welcome to the latest episode ofLiving Proof, our podcast produced in collaboration with Plus.maths.org– you can find all the content from the collaboration here.
On May 30th 2024 seminar goers at Princeton University witnessed a thrilling moment. The mathematician Zhouli Xu of the University of California, LA, announced that, together with colleagues he had sorted out the 126th dimension. Not in general, but in regards to a problem that has taunted mathematicians since the 1960s. The problem involves strange shapes and is called the Kervaire invariant problem, after the mathematician Michel Kervaire.
In this episode, Zhouli takes us on a trip into higher dimensions, giving us a gist of what this long-standing problem is all about and retracing some of the long, and sometimes arduous, journey towards a proof. We met Zhouli when he visited the Isaac Newton institute for Mathematical Sciences (INI) in Cambridge to take part in a research programme called Equivariant homotopy theory in Context.
To find out more abut the topics discussed in this podcast see:
- Maths in a minute: Topology
- The hypersphere in four dimensions
- Telescope topology
Send us a text
Welcome to the latest episode ofLiving Proof, our podcast produced in collaboration with Plus.maths.org
In this podcast we hope to give you some interesting information. This information is encoded in terms of 0s and 1s – the classical bits in your computer or phone. But what if instead we were using a quantum computer? Then we'd be dealing with quantum bits, or qubits, opening up exciting new possibilities. And quantum information theory is the area of mathematics that explores how we can do that.
Adina Goldberg was one of the participants at a recent research programme in this area at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences. In this episode we speak to Adina about her work and how her intriguing motto – "the meaning is in the arrows" – applies to her research, her career path, and the way she looks at life.
You can find out more about quantum information in this short introduction and delve into the details of information theory in this collection of content.
Make sure you visit
Send us a text
Welcome to the latest episode ofLiving Proof, our podcast produced in collaboration with Plus.maths.org
In this episode we spoke to Sarah Hart, a mathematician interested in not just the maths itself, but also its connections to other areas of literature and art. She's done an amazing number of things throughout her career — from research in pure mathematics and heading up a maths department, to being the first woman Gresham Professor of Geometry and President of the British Society for the History of Mathematics.
Sarah has also written a fascinating book, called Once upon a prime: The wondrous connections between mathematics and literature, and she gave a talk at this year's Cambridge Festival, with the intriguing title Life in Lilliput – The Mathematics of Fictional Realms that was held at the INI. Sarah also participates in the Modern History of Mathematics research programme that is currently taking place at the INI.
In this episode, Sarah tells us many things she has done and how they all fit together, and gives some advice for budding mathematicians of all ages: "keep pursuing all the things you love doing, and one day it may turn out that they all fit together."
To find out more about some of the things mentioned in this podcast see the following links:
- Sarah Hart: Once upon a prime — In this episode of Maths on the Move podcast Sarah talks about her book and the connections between maths and literature.
- Maths in three minutes: Groups — This article gives a brief introduction to Sarah's research area.
- Life in Lilliput – The Mathematics of Fictional Realms — Click this link to watch a recording of Sarah's Cambridge Festival talk at the INI.
Send us a text
Welcome to the latest episode ofLiving Proof, our podcast produced in collaboration with Plus.maths.org
In this episode, we dive into the importance of communicating mathematics to a broader audience, a growing priority within the maths community. Sara Khan, Communications Manager at the Isaac Newton Institute, shares how the INI is championing mathematics communication. Then, Rachel Thomas and Marianne Freiberger, editors of Plus.maths.org, revisit their conversation with Hannah Fry, who has recently taken on the role of Professor of the Public Understanding of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge.
To learn more about the organizations and events mentioned in this episode that support mathematics communication, check out the following links:
- The Mathsci-comm network, funded by an INI Network grant, connects individuals working in or with an interest in communicating complex mathematics and data science to non-expert audiences. The network is managed by Plus.maths.org editors Marianne Freiberger and Rachel Thomas, alongside Maha Kaouri from the Newton Gateway to Mathematics.
- The Communicating Mathematical and Data Sciences — What Does Success Look Like? workshop, organized by the Mathsci-comm network, was held at the INI in November 2024. It was at this event that Hannah Fry announced her move to Cambridge.
- The Graduate Training Workshop for the Mathematical Sciences, hosted by the Newton Gateway to Mathematics, took place at the INI in February 2025, with a key focus on communication. This session was led by Plus.maths.org editors Marianne Freiberger and Rachel Thomas, along with Alison Kiddle and Katie Steckles, and followed a pilot event in October 2024.
- The Talking Maths in Public (TMiP) conference, held biennially in the UK, brings together those who work in or contribute to communicating mathematics to the public. TMiP 2025 will be held at the University of Warwick from 28th to 30th August 2025, with an option to attend online.
Send us a text
Welcome to the latest episode ofLiving Proof, our podcast produced in collaboration with Plus.maths.org
In this episode, we talked to famous Maths historian, David E. Rowe, who provided scientific advice for the play Diving into math with Emmy Noether, which was staged as part of the Modern History of Mathematics research programme and the Inclusivity in the Mathematical Sciences workshop at the INI. We dive deep into the life and work of Emmy Noether, and about what it's like putting mathematics on stage.
The play is produced by Portrait Theater Vienna in co-operation with Freie Universität Berlin, directed by Sandra Schueddekopf, and features Anita Zieher as Emmy Noether.
Read article Emmy Noether: a creative mathematical genius produced by Plus magazine as part of their collaboration with INI.
Send us a text
In the latest episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel speaks to Aleks Mijatovic (Warwick, Alan Turing Institute) and Codina Cotar (UCL) about the Stochastic systems for anomalous diffusion programme. They’ll be speaking about the theme and challenges of their highly interdisciplinary six-month research project, but the conversation starts with comments on some truly remarkable headwear…
Stochastic systems for anomalous diffusion programme: https://www.newton.ac.uk/event/ssd/
Submit a proposal for an INI programme: https://www.newton.ac.uk/events/submit-a-proposal/
00:00 - Introduction
00:41 - Welcome, an insight into “flamboyant” hat designs
03:53 - Explaining the concept of anomalous diffusion
07:05 - Connections to physics, biology, statistical mechanics and more
10:00 - The logistical support at INI in Cambridge: “I’ve never been so relaxed in my life!”
13:20 - “The freedom this place affords us is great, and fertile ground for such things to happen”
17:52 - Solutions vs questions
20:44 - Personal highlights of the programme
In the latest episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel speaks to Professors Lionel Mason (Oxford) and Maciej Dunajski (Cambridge) of the Twistor Theory programme (https://www.newton.ac.uk/event/twt). Over the 30 minutes, they share their experiences of the scale and challenges of this far-reaching topic that - amongst other things - aims to unify general relativity and quantum mechanics.
00:00 - Introduction
00:42 - Welcome
01:48 - “I have been excited about this programme for 40 years”, introducing the topic
05:18 - Successes of the programme, the attendance of Roger Penrose
06:30 - Connecting Twistor Theory with the Kennedy assassination, a short history of the field
10:28 - The many languages of mathematics
13:45 - Periods of acceleration within the field, “… the 70s must have been truly exciting”, the collaboration between Penrose and Michael Atiyah
17:50 - “Roger makes no secret of the fact that he disapproved of String Theory”
19:48 - What applications can one expect from Twistor Theory?
27:14 - Personal highlights of the month-long programme, celebrating 30 years of collaboration
In the latest episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel speaks to Professors Mark Blyth and Sasha Korobkin, organisers of the INI Satellite Programme “The mathematics of multiphase flows with applications” (https://www.newton.ac.uk/event/mfa/). In the conversation, Mark and Sasha explain the programme’s research themes and share their insights into the challenges and rewards of organising an INI programme at your home institution - in their case the University of East Anglia in Norwich.
00:00 - Introduction
00:49 - Welcome, overview of the programme, UEA and Norwich as a venue
07:22 - Social aspect of INI programmes
09:20 - Structure of the programme, starting with a summer school
13:02 - Central workshop of the programme: “New directions in multiphase flows” (https://www.newton.ac.uk/event/mfaw02/), connections with industry
16:30 - The challenges of running a satellite programme, without the infrastructure provided in Cambridge
20:50 - Discussing the two-year lead time from proposal to preparation to hosting the month-long programme, the importance of planning far in advance
22:45 - Success of the science during a month-long programme
26:38 - Personal highlights: “I was amazed we made it through the month without any catastrophes”, lecture on beer tapping
29:25 - Final thoughts, looking to the future
In the latest episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel speaks to Professor Kevin Buzzard of Imperial College London. Inspired by a lecture given by Thomas Hales at INI’s Big Proof (https://www.newton.ac.uk/event/bpr/) programme in 2017, Kevin has spent the past seven years working alongside fellow enthusiasts on the “Maths Library” project. In this conversation he explains the project in detail, touching on why the programming language of Lean was chosen, and how it interacts with his recent five-year grant to check the proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem.
If you have been inspired by Kevin’s story, make sure to visit the October 2024 INI research programme Big Specification (https://www.newton.ac.uk/event/bsp/), much of which will be available to watch via live stream on newton.ac.uk
00:00 - Introduction
00:48 - Welcome, explaining the concept behind the “Maths Library”, digitising mathematics
04:20 - “It’s like asking if a submarine can swim”
07:55 - Harnessing the involvement of undergraduates
09:45 - Discussing the motivation, end goals and challenges of the project
17:28 - “The other question is: how far is it going to go? This is an ongoing topic of debate”
20:21 - A minimal, pessimistic prediction of expected progress in 10 years’ time
29:30 - A five-year grant to prove Fermat’s Last Theorem
36:55 - “I’d like to think I’m making the proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem more beautiful”
38:48 - “The goal is to make tools that, together with AI techniques, will turn mathematics on its head”
40:10 - Discussing “Lean” as a functional programming language
44:50 - “The INI Big Proof programme (2017) changed my life completely” (https://www.newton.ac.uk/event/bpr/)
52:50 - “If you hadn’t streamed it, I never would have seen it”, a transformation from a “second-rate number theorist” to business class flights, four-star hotels and chauffeur-driven cars on an international lecture tour
54:48 - “I still wake up every morning thinking ‘I want to prove Fermat’s Last Theorem’”
Established in 2021, theINI Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mathematics scheme enables “exceptional early career researchers in the mathematical sciences” to gain “experience, independence and new connections on their way to a successful academic career”.
In this episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel speaks to Dr Luke Davis to learn about his journey through mathematics so far, and to find out what being awarded this Fellowship – which involves spending six months on the INI research programme “Stochastic systems for anomalous diffusion” – means to him personally.
00:00 - Introduction
00:38 - Welcome
01:55 - Taking part in “Stochastic systems for anomalous diffusion” (https://www.newton.ac.uk/event/ssd/)
05:54 - What does an early career researcher bring to an INI research programme? And what can they gain?
10:50 - Why transition from physics to mathematics?
13:40 - The experience of working at INI, “a place engineered for people to think, to talk”
15:04 - The future, the University of Edinburgh
In this episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel is joined by three guests: Daniel Gardham (Surrey), Katherine Benjamin (Oxford), and Francisco de Melo Virissimo (LSE), all of whom won medals as podium finishers at the 2024 STEM for Britain awards at the UK parliament in March. The conversation covers their success in the highly competitive poster exhibition, how it felt to present their mathematical research to politicians and the public, and what the future holds for each of them from this point onwards.
https://stemforbritain.org.uk/
https://www.newton.ac.uk/news/ini-news/stem-for-britain-winners-2024/
00:00 - Introduction
02:20 - How does it feel to have won medals at STEM for Britain?
04:40 - What attracted you to the event?
08:10 - What’s it like presenting mathematical research to MPs and politicians?
12:10 - Learning to communicate key information quickly and more efficiently, and comparisons with academic settings
16:40 - Could all academics benefit from this kind of experience?
19:00 - How would pure maths fare at en event such as STEM for Britain?
20:50 - A strong field of finalist posters, but little time to enjoy them
23:30 - The experience of visiting Parliament and the atmosphere of the event
27:27 - What does the future hold for each of you?
Now in its third year, the INI Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mathematics scheme enables “exceptional early career researchers in the mathematical sciences” to gain “experience, independence and new connections on their way to a successful academic career”.
In this episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel speak to Dr Swapnil Jaideo Kole to learn about her journey through mathematics so far, and to find out what being awarded this Fellowship – which involves spending three months on the INI research programme "New statistical physics in living matter: non equilibrium states under adaptive control" and nine months working with Professor Michael Cates at Cambridge University’s Department for Applied Maths and Theoretical Physics – means to her personally.
From 8-12 January 2024, the "Equivariant methods in geometry" took place in INI's main seminar room in Cambridge, UK. So far, so routine procedure. However, this workshop had the unique twist of being run in parallel with a team at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Linked by audio-visual streaming connections, the two events were remotely connected and operated as one throughout the week.
Following successful interactions across continents (on top of the usual collaborations taking place at the Cambridge base), Dan Aspel caught up with organisers and participants: Victoria Hoskins, Praise Adeyemo, Joshua Jackson and Dominic Bunnett to find out how the partnership came about, and how others could do the same with their own research meetings.
In this short episode, Dan Aspel speaks to Professor Ben Allanach (Cambridge, CERN) about his talk "The Force Awakens: Quantum Collisions" which he'll be delivering in INI's main seminar room for this year's Cambridge Festival.
Taking place on Saturday 23 March at 11:00, the talk is in fact now sold out. However, if you'd like to join the waiting list for any cancelled tickets you can do so here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-force-awakens-quantum-collisions-tickets-810293639087
... and remember that even if you aren't able to attend in person, the talk will be streamed live on our site and made available to view after the event. So make sure to bookmark the following two links.
Live stream: newton.ac.uk/news/watch-live
Recording: newton.ac.uk/outreach/ongoing-initiatives/cambridge-festival
Episode published 30/01/24
In February 2022, Olena Domanska and her family left their home in Ukraine. The ongoing Russian invasion has meant that they are yet to return to the world they left behind. However, through her engagement with INI's Solidarity for mathematiciansprogramme, she and her family are currently based near the University of Manchester where she is continuing her work on neural networks "at the intercept of artificial intelligence and differential equations".
In this podcast, Olena - mother to five children, including an eight-month-old daughter - talks through her experience of the Solidarity programme and how it has made the continuation of her career possible under trying circumstances.
Episode published: 20/11/23
Thanks to the generous support of the Simons Foundation, the INI-Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mathematics is now in its second year of enabling “exceptional early career researchers in the mathematical sciences” to gain “experience, independence and new connections on their way to a successful academic career”.
In this episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel speak to Dr Samuel Stark to learn about his journey through mathematics so far, and to find out what being awarded this Fellowship – which involves spending six months on an INI research programme and six months working at Cambridge University’s Faculty of Maths – means to him personally.
Episode published: 10/10/23
Thanks to the generous support of the Simons Foundation, the INI-Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mathematics is now in its second year of enabling “exceptional early career researchers in the mathematical sciences” to gain “experience, independence and new connections on their way to a successful academic career”.
In this episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel speak to Dr Zhao-He Watse Sybesma to learn about his journey through mathematics so far, and to find out what being awarded this Fellowship – which involves spending six months on an INI research programme and six months working at Cambridge University’s Faculty of Maths – means to him personally.
Episode published: 09/10/23
Thanks to the generous support of the Simons Foundation, the INI-Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mathematics is now in its second year of enabling “exceptional early career researchers in the mathematical sciences” to gain “experience, independence and new connections on their way to a successful academic career”.
In this episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel speak to Dr Paul Pruzina to learn about his journey through mathematics so far, and to find out what being awarded this Fellowship – which involves spending six months on an INI research programme and six months working at Cambridge University’s Faculty of Maths – means to him personally.
In the latest episode, Dan Aspel speaks to Simon Cox and Adil Mughal - organisers of the 2023 programme "GeomPack: Geometry and packing in material structure and biology". The second ever INI satellite programme, GeomPack is being held at Aberystwyth University in its 150th year. Simon and Adil explain the joys and challenges of organising such an event, as well as the fascinating research which has seen them and the participants tackle "some of the knottiest problems in mathematics for centuries”.
PMV programme: https://www.newton.ac.uk/event/pmv/
00:00 - Introduction
00:58 - Welcome and programme overview, life in Aberystwyth
03:40 - Comparing the experience to events at INI, origins of the GeomPack community
08:40 - Marbles and pint glasses: how to explain packing problems (the Kepler conjecture and "some of the knottiest problems in mathematics for centuries”)
17:00 - The fascination of the “Einstein tile”
19:10 - Learnings from running an INI satellite programme
25:45 - Looking ahead to the future
Episode recorded: 17/07/23In this episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel speaks to Coralie Colmez, author of the young adult novel "The Irrational Diary of Clara Valentine" - recently chosen as one of Chalkdust magazine's "books of the year". A Cambridge maths graduate herself, it was Coralie's ambition to write a story rich in both mathematics and mystery - with the Chalkdust review highlighting that "the explanations of the solutions to these puzzles are blended into the story expertly". In this interview, Coralie explains further about the books origins, its intentions and what comes next.
Find out more about Coralie's writing, download a free PDF of the book, and find links to other online sellers here: https://www.coraliecolmez.com/books
Episode recorded: 07/07/23In this episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel and Marianne Freiberger are joined by Tomer Schlank (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) and Jeremy Hahn (MIT). Working alongside Robert Burklund and Ishan Levy, Tomer and Jeremy's recently announced a disproof of Ravenel's telescope conjecture at the June 2023 INI workshop "A panorama of homotopy theory". Here, they explain why this was such a significant announcement, and what effect it has had on the field of homotopy theory.
2018 INI programme: https://www.newton.ac.uk/event/hhh/
2023 follow-on workshop: https://www.newton.ac.uk/event/hhhw05/
The 23rd of June 2023 marks exactly thirty years since Sir Andrew Wiles announced his historic first proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem. He did so at the Isaac Newton Institute, during the culmination of three days of special lectures, delivered as part of the June 1993 L-functions and arithmetic programme - one of the first research meetings to take place at the recently founded INI.
To mark this happy occasion, we - together with our colleagues at Plus magazine and the Maths on the move! podcast - present this short documentary. In it we speak not only to Wiles himself, but to others who were a part of this historic moment or whose work the proof continues to inspire.
Find more, including a video interview with Andrew Wiles and accompanying article, right here: https://www.newton.ac.uk/news/ini-news/wiles-flt-30/
This year, and more specifically during the week of 20 March, the Newton Gateway to Mathematics will be celebrating its 10th anniversary.
A "knowledge intermediary for the mathematical sciences" and the "impact initiative" of the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, the Gateway has spent the past decade connecting mathematical research with industry, businesses, the public sector and other scientific disciplines.
To mark this happy occasion - and to look back at the past, and ahead to the future - Dan Aspel is joined by Newton Gateway manager Clare Merrittfor a brief but insightful conversation.
In this 50th (!) episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel speaks to Rachel Thomas and Marianne Freiberger of Plus magazine. Plus works closely with INI to help explain, celebrate and publicise the research that happens at the Institute. But what challenges does that present? And why should it happen in the first place?
00:00 - Introduction
00:44 - Welcome, discussing “Communicating Mathematics for the Public”, the importance of trustworthiness
05:30 - Who you’re speaking to vs what you’re saying
07:38 - Making higher mathematics accessible to audiences: “any bit of mathematics either comes from somewhere, or is going somewhere, or both”
14:20 - Are there incommunicable subjects?
16:55 - The rarity of maths “headlines”
19:25 - The partnership between INI and Plus magazine - why is it important?
23:25 - Are some topics inherently more interesting?
25:26 - What is the end goal of maths communication? “I would love it if people could see how maths is everywhere… that maths is a language of rhythms and patterns”
30:00 - Looking to the future
In episode #49 of Living Proof, Dan Aspel and Maha Kaouri are joined by presenter, writer and comedian Timandra Harkness. The author of Big Data: Does Size Matter? And Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society speaks about her current projects, how to make maths "funny", and how she came to fall in love with mathematics from an arts and humanities background.
Visit timandraharkness.com or find Timandra on Twitter @TimandraHarknes
00:00 - Introduction
00:44 - Welcome, discussing “Communicating Mathematics for the Public”
03:38 - Origins of Timandra’s interest in maths, understanding “enough to ask the right questions”
07:50 - Discussing the book “Big Data - Does Size Matter?”
11:10 - Other current projects and shows, writing another book about “why everything is personalised”
13:13 - Mingling an arts background with a mathematics focus, “coming out as a closet mathematician”
17:10 - How do you make maths funny as a comedian? ... “What’s a statistician’s favourite sandwich filling?”
21:10 - Future projects
Episode published 15/02/23
In episode #48 of Living Proof, Dan Aspel and Maha Kaouri speak to Hannah Thomas of Government Analysis Function (analysisfunction.civilservice.gov.uk). Hannah's role at this "network for civil servants", is that of "Lead Support for Communicating Data, Statistics and Analysis" - making her the perfect person to discuss how to make data accessible.
This conversation was inspired by the Newton Gateway event "Communicating Mathematics for the Public" at which Hannah delivered the talk "Data Visualisation and Digital Accessibility: What We Can Do to Help".
00:00 - Introduction
00:44 - Welcome, discussing "Communicating Mathematics for the Public" ("as entertaining as Disneyland Paris and definitely more inspiring")
04:20 - All about Government Analysis Function, a love of data journalism, career history
13:35 - Visualising data and making digital information accessible
21:40 - Common accessibility pitfalls
24:20 - Plans for the future... e-learning resources
Thanks to the generous support of the Simons Foundation, the INI-Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mathematics are enabling “exceptional early career researchers in the mathematical sciences” to gain “experience, independence and new connections on their way to a successful academic career”.
In this episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel speak to Dr Patrick Sprenger to learn about his journey through mathematics so far, and to find out what being awarded this Fellowship – which involves spending six months on an INI research programme and six months working at Cambridge University’s Faculty of Maths – means to him personally.
Thanks to the generous support of the Simons Foundation, the INI-Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mathematics is now in its second year of enabling “exceptional early career researchers in the mathematical sciences” to gain “experience, independence and new connections on their way to a successful academic career”.
In this episode of Living Proof, Dan Aspel speak to Dr Nicolas Boulle to learn about his journey through mathematics so far, and to find out what being awarded this Fellowship – which involves spending six months on an INI research programme and six months working at Cambridge University’s Faculty of Maths – means to him personally.
Forced to leave Ukraine, and his work at the Institute of Hydromechanics at the National Academy of Sciences, due to the Russian invasion of February 2022, Yuriy Semenov found sanctuary in Britain at the University of East Anglia. This was in part thanks to support from INI's "Solidarity for mathematicians" programme.
This episode of the podcast tells Yuriy's story in his own words.
00:00 - Introduction
00:43 - Welcome
01:20 - Discovering the Solidarity for mathematicians programme, career history
05:20 - Leaving Ukraine following the Russian invasion: "Life changed in one day... each day started with reading the news and tracking down the front line... war reminders were frequent"
07:30 - "From time to time rockets struck the town and killed people."
08:30 - "The work of a mathematician is always possible."
09:20 - Joining INI activities, maintaining links with Ukraine
15:00 - Words for others applying to "Solidary for mathematicians": "I strongly suggest to apply for this programme."
Professor Nataliya Vaisfel’d was until recently Head of the Chair of methods of mathematical physics at Odesa I. I. Mechnykov National University. She is currently a Senior Lecturer at King’s College London. Forced to flee Ukraine after the Russian invasion of her home country in February of this year, Nataliya has since travelled across Europe with her wheelchair-bound mother and their dogs, eventually finding sanctuary in Britain in part thanks to INI’s "Solidarity for mathematicians" programme.
This podcast tells Nataliya’s story in her own words.
00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - Travelling across Europe, finding a place to live and work
13:30 - Fleeing Ukraine as a refugee ("our generation... we only saw this in some films, movies about the second World War")
18:20 - "If now it is terrible, and it seems to you absolutely dark around you, and you can't see something ahead... believe. You should trust. It will return and you will see some light. Sure. Absolutely. Never, never, never surrender."
Episode published 20/09/22In episode #45 of Living Proof, Dan Aspel and Christie Marr are thrilled to meet Ben Sparks and Katie Steckles. Ben is a mathematician, musician and speaker based at the University of Bath who works with groups as diverse as the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme and the hugely popular Numberphile YouTube channel. Katie, meanwhile, is a mathematician and communicator who lectures at Sheffield Hallam University and is regularly found presenting entertaining and insightful talks everywhere from science festivals to schools and theatres to BBC radio and TV.
As they often work together, these two experienced explainers and explorers of mathematics have much advice and insight to offer to the listener.
00:00 - Introduction
00:47 - Welcome
01:23 - About Katie
02:48 - About Ben
04:40 - Their work together
09:44 - Working remotely as a speaker and communicator, the pros and cons
14:20 - Specific advice on kit and equipment for communicating maths
22:40 - Is there something unique about communicating maths?
36:10 - Personal highlights of current work
46:00 - What to do when things go wrong: a mathematician's "emergency toolkit"
53:00 - What does the future hold?
Find out more about Ben Sparks and Katie Steckles via...> www.bensparks.co.uk
katiesteckles.co.uk
Episode published 31/08/22
In episode #44 of Living Proof, Dan Aspel and Christie Marr speak to both Don Zagier and Silke Zagier. Don is a widely respected number theorist and currently and currently "Retired Scientific Member and Director" of the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in Bonn. This summer he has been involved in two INI programmes: K-theory, algebraic cycles and motivic homotopy theory and New connections in number theory and physics. Silke, meanwhile, is an experienced administrator and historian of mathematics. Topics covered include their individual life stories, as well as the realities of being a married, travelling couple within the world of academia.
00:00 - Introduction
00:48 - Welcome
01:20 - Involvement in two consecutive INI programmes, travelling together as part of an academic career
06:30 - Being the partner of an INI visitor, the potential for bringing young children
12:20 - How to earn a significant academic reputation ("I just kept getting older and older... and people look up to you because you're still there!")
14:20: Enthusiasm, and the motto "modular forms are everywhere"
16:35: Adjusting to post-pandemic working, the challenges of delayed programmes at INI
18:20: Highlight of an INI visit: to work with such a variety of people, and to visit other institutions (see Talks elsewhere)
24:58: Silke's research into the history of Japanese mathematics during the country's "sakoku" period.
Episode published 06/07/22
In episode #43 of Living Proof, Maha Kaouri and Christie Marr speak to Tom Whipple, Science Editor at The Times. Tom read Maths at Cambridge and has been covering science for the Times since 2011. He was recently involved in a Newton Gateway/V-KEMS/RAMP Virtual Study Group on The Public Perception of Science, where he presented a challenge on Communicating Mathematics. Tom was then invited to the Institute to learn more about all the mathematics programmes and activities INI hosts.
00:20 – Welcome
00:50 – The journey from a mathematics undergraduate to a scientific journalist
03:36 – The challenge of communicating mathematics
07:57 – The public perception of mathematics
10:46 – Reflecting on the benefits of a mathematics degree
13:59 – What makes a great maths story? How to persuade an editor?
20:32 – The impact of COVID-19 on scientific journalism & the public understanding of mathematics
26:01 – Maths-related topics & engaging the audience
In episode #42 of Living Proof, Dan Aspel and Christie Marr speak to Prof Parimala Raman of Emory University. Parimala, the Kirk Distinguished Visiting Fellow for K-theory, algebraic cycles and motivic homotopy theory programme, has extensive experience of research in her home country of India, where she represents a significant role model for younger women beginning their careers in mathematics. Not only this, but she also has some uplifting thoughts to share on the "two-body problem" often faced by couples simultaneously pursuing academic careers in a job market where geography is a significant factor.
00:00 - Introduction
00:49 - Welcome
01:30 - First discovering mathematics, encouragement by Parimala's father
03:20 - Gender and mathematics, pursuing a PHD as a woman
05:20 - Choosing Emory University, being close to her son
07:50 - Becoming a role model for younger women, "I feel very honoured to have this kind of impact"
09:10 - Solving "the two-body problem" of following a partner's career around the globe, from Tanzania to Switzerland to India, "If he had not followed me, I would have given up mathematics at that point"
13:10 - Reconnecting with peers at INI's "K-theory, algebraic cycles and motivic homotopy theory" programme, "it has been a very, very enjoyable and fruitful trip"
17:30 - "Grab the opportunity!"
Dan Aspel speaks to Prof Herbert Gangl to learn about his unique mathematical jewellery the "Gems of Hypolytos".
Dan Aspel and Christie Marr speak to Prof Rama Govindarajan of the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences in Bengaluru.
Dan Aspel and Plus magazine’s Dr Marianne Freiberger are joined by the irrepressible Prof Anita Layton of the University of Waterloo.
Dan Aspel catches up with Antoine Gagnebin, an INI workshop participant who's made the exciting decision to travel from Amsterdam to Cambridge by bicycle. Find out the "how" and the "why" of his forthcoming adventure in this short episode.
Professor Hoffmann has spent much of the past decade working with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, its Quantum Leap Africa initiative, and a host of other groups and NGOs across the African continent, all focused on the support and pursuit of higher mathematics. And yet, in her own words, she’s still “very junior” at her home institution herself. How is this possible?
In episode #36 of Living Proof, Dan Aspel and Christie Marr speak to Dr Nira Chamberlain, not only the “5th most influential black person in the UK”, but possibly “the world’s most interesting mathematician”.
Dan Aspel speaks to Dr Anagha Madhusudanan, one of the first three recipients of the new Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mathematics.
Dan Aspel speaks to Dr Antoine Remond-Tiedrez, one of the first five recipients of the new Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mathematics.
Dan Aspel speaks to the four organisers of the "Cluster algebras and representation theory" programme (September to December 2021) to hear their thoughts on its successes and progress so far.
Dan Aspel speaks to Dr Aluna Rizzoli, one of the first three recipients of the new Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mathematics.
Dan Aspel speaks to Dr Avi Mayorcas, one of the first three recipients of the new Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mathematics.
Dan Aspel speaks to Dr Emine Yildirim, one of the first three recipients of the new Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mathematics.
On Friday 1 October 2021 Professor Ulrike Tillmann was appointed Director of the Isaac Newton Institute. In this short episode we catch up with her one week into her tenure.
Professor Bethany Marsh (Leeds) joins the podcast to talk about winning the Whitehead prize, her ongoing INI research programme, and the many positive outcomes that have come from her recent transition of gender.
Professor Alex Kontorovic joins the podcast to talk about New York's award-winning MoMath, Quanta magazine, communicating mathematics and inspiring the young.
Professor Anotida Madzvamuse (Sussex) joins Dan Aspel to talk about mathematical biology, a childhood spent farming in rural Zimbabwe, and his advice for young African mathematicians looking to follow his example.
In episode #30 Dan Aspel speaks to outgoing INI Director David Abrahams about his five-year tenure at INI, a tremendous summer of sport, and what excitement the future brings.
In episode #29 Dan Aspel speaks to Dr Marianne Freiberger and Rachel Thomas of Plus magazine about spreading a love of mathematics, and a new collaborative relationship with INI.
In recent years, the generous support of the Cambridge Philosophical Society has allowed INI to further support the attendance of early career researchers in its programmes and workshops. This third of three interviews speaks to one such recipient: Dr Jay Taylor.
In recent years, the generous support of the Cambridge Philosophical Society has allowed INI to further support the attendance of early career researchers in its programmes and workshops. This second of three interviews speaks to one such recipient: Dr Elena Luca
In recent years, the generous support of the Cambridge Philosophical Society has allowed INI to further support the attendance of early career researchers in its programmes and workshops. This first of three interviews speaks to one such recipient: Dr Francisco Sahli.
In this first of an "Art of INI" miniseries, host Dan Aspel is joined by INI staff Barry Phipps (Curator of Art and Science) and David Abrahams (Director) to discuss whether the worlds of mathematics and art share common ground.
Valerie Isham joins Dan and Ciara to discuss nearly 30 years of involvement in INI actiivities, from 1993's "Epidemic Models" to the present day.
In this episode, David Spiegelhalter joins the podcast to talk about a frenetic six months of risk communication, and more.
Simon Singh tells the podcast all about the new, free "Maths Masterclass Tutorials" initiative. Apply by 09 October 2020!
In this episode we speak to Professor Julia Gog (Cambridge) about modelling the COVID-19 pandemic, working with and alongside the UK governments scientific advisory groups, and organising INI's recent "Infectious Dynamics of Pandemics" programme. There's even time for mentions of the Reverend Richard Coles and the popular board game "Pandemic" too.
In this episode we speak to Professor Rebecca Hoyle about the relevance of study groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the thinking behind the Virtual Forum for Knowledge Exchange in Mathematical Sciences [V-KEMS] initiative.
In this episode we speak to Dr Robin Thompson about how data is being used to inform the mathematical models behind the models of COVID-19.(episode recorded on 29 April 2020)
In this episode we speak to Dr Kit Yates about the maths behind the models of COVID-19 that are being used to guide policy of the control of the pandemic. [episode recorded 28 April 2020]
Early career researchers Ollie Jones (Birmingham) and Kamilla Rekvényi (Imperial) join the podcast to discuss life at an INI workshop, working alongside supervisors, promoting mathematics to the young via social media, and the ongoing struggle for gender balance.
Professor Liz Mansfield, co-organiser of the "Geometry, compatibility and structure preservation in computational differential equations" programme, discusses its inception and aims and the need for balance and diversity within higher mathematics [recorded in August 2019].
Elizabeth Mansfield discusses the "seven levels of mathematical joy" based on her mathematical travels.
Featuring Kirk Distinguished Visiting Fellow for the "Complex analysis" programme Associate Professor Lesley Ward.
Featuring Professor Chris Budd (Bath), a participant in two INI programmes in 2019 and a wide selection of others of the past 27 years.
An environmental sciences-themed discussion with Professor Paula Harrison (CEH) and Dr Martine Barons (Warwick).
In this episode of the podcast, Dan Aspel speaks to Dr Anastasia Kisil (Cambridge), co-organiser of the "Bringing pure and applied analysis together via the Wiener-Hopf technique, its generalisations and applications" programme.
As the Tour de France 2019 enters its final stages, Dan Aspel sits down with lifelong cycling fan (and INI Director) Professor David Abrahams to exchange various informed (David) and uninformed (Dan) opinions on this year's race, a little about the mathematical beauty of cycling, and the fascinating quirks of photography and physics that led to one of the strangest finish line images you're ever likely to see.
In episode #10 Dr Bubacarr Bah of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences in Cape Town (https://aims.ac.za/) shares with us his thoughts on compressive sampling and its relevance for the "Approximation, sampling and compression in data science" programme, details his role within AIMS and talks us through the important work the Institute does in providing opportunities and teaching to talented mathematicians from across the African continent.
Episode #9 welcomes Professor Svitlana Mayboroda to the podcast. The Kirk Distinguished Visiting Fellow (https://www.newton.ac.uk/about/fellowships/kirk) for the "Approximation, sampling and compression in data science" programme, Svitlana talks us through a brief history of her career, her specialism in harmonic analysis, a love of mathematics for its own sake and the research aims that she and her collaborators are working towards during their time at INI.Hosted by: Dan Aspel (INI Communications Manager)
Episode #8 sees the podcast speak to Professor Xian Chen of the "Mathematical design of new materials" programme. A brief chat recorded in-between seminar talks, subjects touched upon include interactions between the fields of mathematics and mechanics, potential outcomes of such activity and the popularity of interdisciplinary events in general.Hosted by: Dan Aspel (INI Communications Manager)
In episode #7 we speak to Professor Irene Fonseca, Director of Carnegie Mellon's Center for Nonlinear Analysis and Kirk Distinguished Visiting Fellow for INI's "Mathematical design of new materials" programme. Subjects touched upon include the power of academic interactions, the obligations placed upon high-achieving female mathematicians, a love of painting and being knighted by the "Military Order of St James of the Sword".Hosted by: Dan Aspel (INI Communications Manager)
In episode #6 we welcome Professor Martin Buhmann (Giessen) of the "Approximation, sampling and compression in data science" programme to speak about the Giessen-based Mathematikum centre. As co-Director of this central German mathematical science centre he is perfectly placed to discuss public engagement with mathematics, how a more "physical" approach can help capture the imagination of the young and old alike, and how to make learning fun.> https://www.mathematikum.de/index.phpHosted by: Dan Aspel (INI Communications Manager)
In episode #5 we speak to Dr Frank King (Churchill College) about his recent book "Sundials: Cutting Time", the challenges and mathematics involved in designing such classical timepieces, and whether a young Sir Isaac Newton was himself the creator of a Sundial.Hosted by: Dan Aspel (INI Communications Manager)
Podcast #4 sees INI catch up with Henri Elad Altman, a PHD student engaged in the SRQ programme. In our short chat we cover the day-to-day realities of participating in an INI programme, what life is like in Cambridge for a visiting researcher and whether it is "intimidating" to work alongside senior colleagues for weeks at a time.Hosted by: Dan Aspel (INI Communications Manager)
In episode #3 we chat with PHD student Susanne Hilger about life as a more junior Participant in an INI programme and the issues raised by being a female mathematician in a traditionally male-dominated environment.Hosted by: Dan Aspel (INI Communications Manager)
In this episode we speak to Professor Patricia Goncalvez about the direction her career has taken so far, the challenges in obtaining enough experience to apply for senior positions, and the realities of juggling a growing family alongside growing professional responsibilities.Hosted by: Dan Aspel (INI Communications Manager)
In this inaugural podcast, INI Director David Abrahams speaks about his role at the Institute, reflects on his first two-and-a-half years in the post and looks forward to the remainder of his tenure.Hosted by: Dan Aspel (INI Communications Manager)