In this special episode, we return to the topics of learning and teaching mathematics. We are joined by Brendan Kelly, Director of Introductory Mathematics at Harvard University, to discuss the opportunities that active learning has to offer.

Throughout the discussion, we get to know Brendan, exploring his journey into mathematics and what led him to focus on education. Both lecturers and students will find many useful tips and tricks scattered through the recording, and we are sure you will feel Brendan's infectious energy and passion for both subjects!

Links for the episode:

• Brendan Kelly's webpage

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Produced by Marcello Seri and Anna de Bruijn

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Illustrations by Henrieke Krijgsheld

The podcast soundtrack is derived from the royalty free track Starving by OctoSound and used in agreement with pixabay license https://pixabay.com/music/funk-starving-170377

We are grateful to the Faculty of Science and Engineering of the University of Groningen for allowing us to use their equipment for this recording.

This is the first episode of another small spinoff of It's Not Just Numbers, were we discuss with researchers working on mathematical topics in different disciplines and departments.

In this episode, we talk to Jorge Perez (Computer Science department) and Davide Grossi (Artificial Intelligence department). As you will hear, both of them use a lot of mathematics in their research and work on topics that also have very theoretical angles.

Throughout the episode, we discuss intedisciplinary collaborations, reaching outside one’s own line of research and the key role ofof asking questions to facilitate the exchange. We also explore if and how common stereotypes on academics change in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from a societal point of view.

Links for the episode:

• Davide Grossi's website
• ⁠Jorge Perez' website
• ⁠Video: Fundamental computing: Mathematics and logic for software we can all rely on
• Video: Fundamental Computing: The Many Sides of Logic

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Produced by Marcello Seri and Anna de Bruijn

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Illustrations by Henrieke Krijgsheld

The podcast soundtrack is derived from the royalty free track Starving by OctoSound and used in agreement with pixabay license https://pixabay.com/music/funk-starving-170377

We are grateful to the Faculty of Science and Engineering of the University of Groningen for allowing us to use their equipment for this recording.

What is a proof? And what is a proof assistant? Isn't writing proofs what mathematicians are supposed to do themselves? In this episode, Sander Dahmen and Jim Portegies, will help us explore these questions and introduce us to the fascinating world of fomralizing mathematics. Of course, after taking our time to get to know them better.

"I always wanted to turn this around and say there's nothing wrong with being not smart in mathematics and it should be okay if you work on a proof, to not understand it, to struggle with it. So if you do a computation, make three extra steps, it should be okay to give yourself that time." Wouldn't you agree? Listen to this episode to find out where this quote came from and let us know yuor first experiences with proofs.

Links for the episode:

• Sander Dahmen's website
• Jim Portegies' website
• ⁠Links to Lean, the mathlib library and the mathematics in lean book
• Link to the ⁠natural number game⁠ and more
• Link to waterproof, Jim's constrained natural language proof assistant
• Link to rocq and the math-comp library
• Terence Tao's talk on machine assisted proofs at Simons Fundation on February 19, 2025

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Produced by Marcello Seri and Anna de Bruijn

= = = { 0 } = = =

Illustrations by Henrieke Krijgsheld

The podcast soundtrack is derived from the royalty free track Starving by OctoSound and used in agreement with pixabay license https://pixabay.com/music/funk-starving-170377

We are grateful to the Faculty of Science and Engineering of the University of Groningen for allowing us to use their equipment for this recording.