On 7 December 2020 I gave a (virtual) lecture at the Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee’s School of Excellence on congruences.
Topology: The shape of space
Monash Open Day in 2020 was a purely online affair, thanks to COVID. I recorded a video talking about Topology: The Shape of Space.
“I liked doing what I wasn’t supposed to do”: the life and mathematics of Karen Uhlenbeck
In September 2019 I gave a talk about the life and some of the mathematics of Karen Uhlenbeck, the great mathematician and first woman to win an Abel Prize. This was a Monash LunchMaths seminar.
The beauty of mathematics shows itself to patient followers
In September 2018 I gave a talk on the life and mathematics of Maryam Mirzakhani in the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences colloquium at NTU in Singapore.
Is the traditional mathematics blackboard lecture dead?
The Australian Mathematical Society Annual Meeting this year included a public debate on the topic “Is the traditional mathematics blackboard lecture dead?” I was on the affirmative team.
Some pure mathematics and consciousness
In November 2017 I gave a talk to the Monash Consciousness Research Laboratory (Tsuchiya Lab). I talked about some pure mathematical ideas that have appeared in the literature on the frontiers of neuroscience and the study of consciousness — gauge theory, and category theory.
Sciencey: Why do earphones get tangled?
An appearance in Sciencey, a new series from ABC that delivers quick, illuminating answers to some of the strangest questions in the universe. Why do earphones always tangle, and what does this tells us about the universe?
The work of Maryam Mirzakhani
In August 2017 I gave a talk on some of the mathematics of Maryam Mirzakhani, the great Iranian mathematician, first female Fields Medallist. This was a Monash LunchMaths seminar.
Maths week talk at PLC
I gave an outreach talk to secondary students at PLC about mathematics and mathematicians, talking about, among other things, topology, Maryam Mirzakhani, and billiards, in July 2017. Slides are available.
Mathematics, mathematicians, philosophy
In December 2016 I gave a talk to secondary school students about mathematics and mathematical philosophy.