#45 Making maths fascinating, an interview with Ben Sparks and Katie Steckles

Send us Fan MailEpisode 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 - Introduction00:47 - Welcome01:23 - About Katie02:48 - About Ben04:40 - Their work together09:44 - Working remotely as a speaker and communicator, the pros and cons14:20 - Specific advice on kit and equipment for communicating maths22:40 - Is there something unique about communicating maths?36:10 - Personal highlights of current work46:00 - 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