Living Proof: the Isaac Newton Institute podcast

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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."

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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."

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Episode published 20/09/22

In 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

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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.

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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

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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!"

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