Interview with Richard Thomas

Richard Thomas is a professor at Imperial College London, working in algebraic geometry and mirror symmetry. In this interview, Richard speaks about math education for kids, contemplates the process of doing research and gives plenty of good advice for PhD students. Richard's webpage: http://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/~rpwt/​ Photo: Richard's wikipedia page Interview with Richard Thomas 0:00​ teaser 0:30​ non-linear way in math 3:14​ the mystery of mathematicians 6:55​ kids' attitude to math problems 11:40​ boys vs girls math approach 16:26​ me being triggered (clickbait!) 21:32​ what made Richard a mathematician 26:40​ insights vs dull proofs 29:06​ math is subjective 30:08​ process of doing math research 35:16​ obstructions to enjoying research 37:53​ what students should know 43:53​ hardest part of research 47:36​ insecurities of mathematicians 51:19​ psychology of doing math 54:55​ minorities in math 1:01:14​ math during an earthquake