Why are we here?

Specifically, why have I started a substack?

Who am I?

Hi folks, I wanted to share a little bit more about myself so you know what you’re getting yourselves into. So here’s a brief bio:

I’m a senior lecturer in the Department of Mathematical Sciences and co-director of the Centre for Mathematical Biology at the University of Bath. I completed my PhD in mathematics at the University of Oxford.

I’m the author of two books: The Maths of Life and Death (a Sunday Times Science Book of the Year) and now How to Expect the Unexpected, I hope that they provide accessible and clear expositions of the influence of maths in our everyday lives.

I’m one of the core scientists that forms Independent SAGE, providing independent scientific advice to policy makers and the public on covid throughout the pandemic.

I’m also commentate on the role of mathematics in society writing regularly for the Guardian and the independent and a range of other media outlets. I regularly appear on radio shows like the BBC’s More or Less, and Inside Science as well as on TV news shows and documentaries.

I’m looking forwards to sharing more of my insights with you on here.

1. Why am I here?

I’ve been used to communicating maths/science on Twitter for the last few years and it has been a brilliant place to do science communication, but that place is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate. Part of the reason for coming here is to avoid the trolling that happens there and part of the reason is to take back a bit of control over my content. Rather than posting long bitty threads there, I thought I’d spend some time writing (perhaps more nuanced) stuff here, where I can send it directly to your inbox and indeed share it across multiple platforms.

So if you’ve enjoyed the stuff I’ve been doing on twitter and across different traditional media platforms then please think about subscribing here.

3. What to expect?

I won’t fill your inboxes with junk, but I’ll try to write regularly, perhaps once a week time allowing. I’ll cover lots of different topics, but all with a science-related theme.

I’ll try to keep things to the point and cut out waffle. Unless there’s loads that needs to be said then I’ll try not to write anything longer than a standard newspaper article (800 words or so). If you want a flavour of the sort of stuff I’ll write then you can check out my Guardian or indy voices profiles.

I’ll send my first proper post out next week.

So if you’re up for it and think this might be your sort of thing then hit subscribe now and you’ll be hearing more from me in the future. And if you know someone else you know who might like this substack, then feel free to share it with them too.

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