Nerd Nite talks are on the first Wednesday of every month!
We are also hosting a special event on Monday 23 March: Pub Pranayama!
Yes, we’re doing yoga and breathwork at the pub.
Accessable to all, regardless of experience.
Get ready for learning, fun, and… well, breathing.
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1 April Nerd Nite
This month, we are collaborating with Mathateca, a group dedicated to making maths fun and accessible for everyone. Even if you hate maths, you’ll enjoy these talks! They might just increase your appreciation for it… and maybe even spark a little love for maths 🧮.
Speakers
“The Mathematics of Juggling”
by Dr Ross Atkins
Find out how mathematics can be used to understand circus juggling. And how juggling can help you solve maths problems too.
Dr Ross Atkins has a PhD in mathematics … and he can juggle too.
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“Algorithms of Anatomy”
by Kelly Evans
The human body is a living mathematical marvel. From biochemistry to electricity, this talk will explore the hidden patterns and equations that keep you thinking and breathing and occasionally embarrassing yourself in public.
Kelly Evans is a lecturer of Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology and was formerly a member of an international committee of statisticians, so the intersection of maths and the human body is kind of her niche. She’s always looking for people who enjoy histograms as much as histology.
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“Four Colours and a Twist”
by Dr Jeanette McLeod
Why did a simple question about map colouring cause more than a century of mathematical trouble and why did it lead to one of the most controversial theorems in mathematics? Join us on a mathematical journey from maps to Möbius strips as we colour outside of the lines and right off the page.
Dr Jeanette McLeod is the Director of Maths Craft New Zealand, Senior Lecturer (Above the Bar) at the University of Canterbury, and Principal Investigator with Te Pūnaha Matatini. Beyond Maths Craft, Jeanette is a researcher in pure mathematics, specialising in graph theory, and an avid crafter. In recent years, Jeanette and her mathematician partner Phil Wilson (University of Canterbury and Te Pūnaha Matatini) have successfully woven Maths Craft into their research and teaching as part of their ongoing mission to integrate engagement and academia. Their outreach efforts have been widely recognised, earning numerous awards, including the NZMS Gillian Thornley Award and the NZAS Cranwell Medal for science communication.