#50 Why should we bother communicating INI research? An interview with Rachel Thomas and Marianne Freiberger

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