Popular, historical, recreational and discursive talks

View a map of the talks I have given.

All 148 popular, historical, recreational and discursive talks presented in reverse chronological order.

You can also view public talks and other maths communication activities.

2024

  1. Maths Puzzles and Games Club, Year 4/5 after school club, Middleton Primary and Nursery School, Nottingham (20/02/2024, 27/02/2024, 12/03/2024, 19/03/2024, 26/03/2024).

  2. There are 40,320 ways to give this talk, Sheffield Pop Maths Sixth Form Lecture (09/03/2024).

  3. Careers in Maths (Year 11/12), Problem Solving Workshop (Year 11) and Playful Puzzles and Games Workshop (Year 10), South Nottinghamshire Academy, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, for Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity (05/02/2024).

2023

  1. Cryptography Workshop, Year 13, Derby College, Derby (20/12/2023).

  2. Careers in Maths and Mathematical Modelling Workshop (Year 12/13) and Mathematical Modelling Workshop (Year 11), The Kimberley School, Kimberley, Nottinghamshire (28/11/2023).

  3. Mathematics: Broader Horizons, Year 12/13 visit day, Sheffield Hallam University (23/11/2023). With Angharad Ugonna and Alex Corner.

  4. The maths of simple two-player games, Gathering 4 Gardner Celebration of Mind Virtual Events (21/11/2023).

  5. Mathematics: Broader Horizons, Year 12/13 visit day, Sheffield Hallam University (14/11/2023). With Angharad Ugonna.

  6. Am I related to Henry VIII's Master of the Mint? Are you?, MathsJam Conference 2023 (11/11/2023).

  7. Careers in Maths and Mathematical Modelling Workshop (Year 12/13) and Playful Puzzles and Games Workshop (Year 10), Kirk Hallam Community Academy, Ilkeston, Derbyshire (24/10/2023).

  8. Cryptography workshop, Year 12/13, Sheffield College, Sheffield (18/10/2023).

  9. Careers in Maths, Year 12/13, Sheffield College, Sheffield (16/10/2023).

  10. Careers in Maths and Mathematical Modelling Workshop, Year 13, Tupton Hall School, Chesterfield, Derbyshire (18/09/2023).

  11. Careers in Maths and Cryptography Workshop, Year 12, St Mary's Catholic High School, Chesterfield, Derbyshire (13/07/2023).

  12. Careers in Maths, Year 12, Outwood Academy Newbold, Chesterfield, Derbyshire (10/07/2023).

  13. Puzzles and Games, MathsCity, Leeds (01/06/2023).

  14. Cryptography Workshop (Year 12) and Mathematical Modelling Workshop (Year 7/8), David Nieper Academy, Alfreton, Derbyshire (22/05/2023). With Keith Harris.

  15. Mathematical Modelling Workshops, Year 10 and Year 12, St Joseph's College, Stoke-on-Trent (11/05/2023). With Angharad Ugonna, Alex Shukie and Vijay Teeluck.

  16. Maths in Science Workshop/Playful Puzzles and Games Workshop, Year 10, Shirebrook Academy, Shirebrook, Derbyshire (04/05/2023). With Vijay Teeluck.

  17. Mathematics: Broader Horizons, Year 12 visit day, Sheffield Hallam University (26/04/2023). With Angharad Ugonna, Alex Corner and Keith Harris.

  18. Careers in Maths, Year 12, Bramcote College, Nottingham (25/04/2023).

  19. Could You Be A Codebreaker?, Year 10, Thistley Hough Academy, Stoke-on-Trent (24/04/2023).

  20. Careers in Maths, Year 12, Bilborough College, Nottingham (31/03/2023).

  21. Mathematics Poster Competition, British Science Week 2023.

  22. Playful Puzzles and Games, British Science Week 2023, Sheffield Hallam University (14/03/2023). With Alex Corner.

  23. The maths of simple two-player games, Physics lunchtime lecture series, Sheffield Hallam University (31/01/2023).

2022

  1. On-Sets: a vintage game of set theory, MathsJam Conference 2022 (19/11/2022).

  2. Games that you don't realise that you're not playing, 24 Hour Maths Game Show (29/10/2022). With Alex Corner video.

  3. Our world simulated with dice, IMA Festival of Mathematics and its Applications, Sheffield (04-05/07/2022).

  4. Playful Puzzles and Games, IMA Festival of Mathematics and its Applications, Sheffield (04/07/2022). With Alex Corner.

  5. There are 40,320 ways to give this talk, IMA Festival of Mathematics and its Applications, Sheffield (04/07/2022).

  6. Our world simulated with dice, MathsCity, Leeds (02/06/2022).

  7. Mathematics Poster Competition, British Science Week 2022.

2020

  1. nimsticks: making games with LaTeX and Lua, MathsJam Conference 2020 (22/11/2020).

  2. Mathematical Objects Roadshow, MathsJam Conference 2020 (21/11/2020). With Katie Steckles.

  3. There are 362,880 ways to give this talk, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications East Midlands Branch, University of Nottingham (30/01/2020).

2019

  1. #tmwyk - mathematical play in education, MathsJam Conference 2019 (30/11/2019).

2018

  1. Counting caterpillars, MathsJam Conference 2018 (17/11/2018).

2016

  1. Mathematical Toddler Toys, MathsJam Conference 2016 (12/11/2016).

2015

  1. Nim-like games, MathsJam Conference 2015 (07/11/2015).

  2. The unplanned impact of mathematics, Cafe Sci, Nottingham (20/04/2015).

  3. George Green: A Miller's Tale, Clifton Village Residents' Association, Clifton Village Hall, Nottingham (23/03/2015).

  4. Solving It Like A Mathematician, Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity, Broadmarsh Centre, Nottingham (20/03/2015).

2014

  1. George Green's Mathematical Influences, Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham (12/11/2014).

  2. Chair, From Durer to sudoku: 500 years of recreational maths, British Science Festival 2014 (06/09/2014).

  3. Game Theory Workshop, East Midlands Big Bang 2014, Derby Roundhouse (10/07/2014). With Kingsley Webster.

  4. Solving It Like A Mathematician, East Midlands Big Bang 2014, Derby Roundhouse (10/07/2014).

  5. Co-organiser, What has Mathematics done for us?, IMA Festival of Mathematics and its Applications, Manchester (03/07/2014).

  6. A Taste of Maths Jam, after-dinner session, 8th British Congress of Mathematics Education (14/04/2014). With Katie Steckles.

2013

  1. A brief history of mathematics: 5,000 years from Egypt to Nottingham Trent, Nottingham Trent University Maths Society (06/11/2013).

  2. Ox Blocks probabilities, MathsJam Conference 2013 (03/11/2013).

  3. Quarto games of different sizes, MathsJam Conference 2013 (02/11/2013).

  4. Designing Coincidences, Year 9 Masterclass on probability, Liverpool (05/10/2013).

  5. The unplanned impact of mathematics: surprising examples of unexpected applications, British Mathematical Colloquium 2013, History of Mathematics workshop, University of Sheffield (27/03/2013).

2012

  1. The Unplanned Impact of Mathematics, British Society for the History of Mathematics Christmas meeting, Birmingham (08/12/2012).

  2. Chair, IMA Early Career Mathematicians' Autumn Conference 2012, University of Greenwich (24/11/2012).

  3. Preliminary analysis of a large data set, MathsJam Conference 2012 (17/11/2012).

  4. Solving It Like A Mathematician, STEM Pop Up Shop, Broadmarsh Shopping Centre, Nottingham (26/10/2012).

  5. Solving It Like A Mathematician, East Midlands Big Bang 2012, East Midlands Conference Centre (28/06/2012).

  6. History of cryptography, University of Salford (06/03/2012).

2011

  1. Chair, 15th IMA Early Career Mathematicians Conference, University of Bristol (19/11/2011).

  2. Why the hot light bulb annoys me, MathsJam Conference 2011 (12/11/2011).

  3. Unplanned impact of mathematics, MathsJam Conference 2011 (12/11/2011).

  4. Maths Puzzles, SSAT Annual Maths Conference 2011, University of Warwick (13/07/2011).

  5. Solving It Like A Mathematician, East Midlands Big Bang 2011, East Midlands Conference Centre (28/06/2011).

  6. A Maths History Tour of Nottingham, History of Maths splinter, British Mathematical Colloquium 2011, University of Leicester (20/04/2011).

  7. Chance and Coincidence, Manchester Metropolitan University (23/02/2011).

2010

  1. Bacon, Small-Worlds, and Your Important Friends: Social Network Theory Explained, University of Leicester (19/11/2010). With Samuel Hansen.

  2. Maths and Computing History tour of Nottingham, University of Greenwich (17/11/2010). With Samuel Hansen.

  3. Bacon, Small-Worlds, and Your Important Friends: Social Network Theory Explained, University of Birmingham (15/11/2010). With Samuel Hansen.

  4. A curious fact about almost every integer, MathsJam Conference 2010 (14/11/2010).

  5. Thinking outside of the box, MathsJam Conference 2010 (13/11/2010).

  6. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Surrey (29/04/2010).

  7. Cryptography, University of Derby (21/04/2010).

  8. Cryptography, Aberystwyth University (19/03/2010).

  9. Shape of the cosmos, University of Nottingham (16/03/2010).

  10. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of York (10/03/2010).

  11. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Leeds (10/03/2010).

  12. Puzzles, schools outreach event, Cardiff University (09/03/2010).

  13. Careers for mathematics graduates, Brunel University (08/03/2010).

  14. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Bristol (03/03/2010).

  15. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of the West of England (03/03/2010).

  16. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Bath (02/03/2010).

  17. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Keele (24/02/2010).

  18. Careers for mathematics graduates, London Met University (23/02/2010).

  19. Careers for mathematics graduates, Swansea University (19/02/2010).

  20. Careers for mathematics graduates, Cardiff University (18/02/2010).

  21. Careers for mathematics graduates, Imperial College London (08/02/2010).

  22. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Oxford (08/02/2010).

  23. Chance and Coincidence, University of Leicester (04/02/2010).

  24. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Nottingham (03/02/2010).

2009

  1. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Plymouth (09/12/2009).

  2. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Exeter (08/12/2009).

  3. Cryptography, University of Southampton (03/12/2009).

  4. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Portsmouth (03/12/2009).

  5. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Brighton (02/12/2009).

  6. Substitution ciphers: Ancient - Renaissance, University of Nottingham (01/12/2009) video.

  7. Cryptography, Heriot-Watt University (27/11/2009).

  8. Puzzles, University of Edinburgh (26/11/2009).

  9. Cryptography, University of St. Andrews (26/11/2009).

  10. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Glasgow (25/11/2009).

  11. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Strathclyde (25/11/2009).

  12. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Stirling (25/11/2009).

  13. Cryptography, University of Aberdeen (24/11/2009).

  14. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Dundee (23/11/2009).

  15. Cryptography, University of Sheffield (19/11/2009).

  16. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Sheffield (19/11/2009).

  17. Update from IMA University Liaison Officer, 11th Younger Mathematicians Conference (14/11/2009).

  18. Puzzles, Northumbria University (12/11/2009).

  19. Spin in Ball Games, University of York (11/11/2009).

  20. Careers for mathematics graduates, Durham University (11/11/2009).

  21. Puzzles, Newcastle University (10/11/2009).

  22. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Kent (04/11/2009).

  23. Puzzles, London School of Economics (02/11/2009).

  24. Careers for mathematics graduates, Manchester Metropolitan University (28/10/2009).

  25. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Bolton (28/10/2009).

  26. Cryptography, Lancaster University (27/10/2009).

  27. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Lancaster (27/10/2009).

  28. Careers for mathematics graduates, Kingston University (21/10/2009).

  29. Puzzles, sixth form lecture, University of Liverpool (15/10/2009).

  30. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Liverpool (15/10/2009).

  31. Careers for mathematics graduates, Liverpool John Moores University (14/10/2009).

  32. Careers for mathematics graduates, Nottingham Trent University (08/10/2009).

  33. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of East Anglia (07/10/2009).

  34. Update from IMA University Liaison Officer, 10th Younger Mathematicians Conference (13/05/2009).

  35. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of York (06/05/2009).

  36. Puzzles, University of York (05/05/2009).

  37. Spin in Ball Games, University of Sheffield (29/04/2009).

  38. Spin in Ball Games, Newcastle University (28/04/2009).

  39. Careers for mathematics graduates, London Met University (30/03/2009).

  40. Spin in Ball Games, University of Leicester (05/03/2009).

  41. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Leicester (05/03/2009).

  42. Careers for mathematics graduates, Heriot-Watt University (27/02/2009).

  43. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Edinburgh (27/02/2009).

  44. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Edinburgh (27/02/2009).

  45. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Glasgow (26/02/2009).

  46. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Strathclyde (26/02/2009).

  47. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Aberdeen (25/02/2009).

  48. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of St. Andrews (25/02/2009).

  49. Maths careers and the work of the IMA University Liaison Officer, IMA Scottish Branch, Napier University, Edinburgh (24/02/2009).

  50. Careers for mathematics graduates, Cardiff University (20/02/2009).

  51. Careers for mathematics graduates, Brunel University (19/02/2009).

  52. Spin in Ball Games, University of Greenwich (18/02/2009).

  53. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Bristol (12/02/2009).

  54. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of the West of England (12/02/2009).

  55. Careers for mathematics graduates, University of Greenwich (26/01/2009).

2008

  1. Cryptography, Newcastle University (25/11/2008).

  2. Careers for mathematics graduates, Nottingham Trent University (09/10/2008).