#66 A conversation with Sarah Hart Artwork

Living Proof: the Isaac Newton Institute podcast

The Isaac Newton Institute is the world's foremost mathematical research centre. Living Proof aims to highlight the diverse people and interconnected topics linked to its many activities. Interviewees range from visiting academics and lecturers to mathematicians, other scientists, musicians, artists, students, and prominent figures within the University of Cambridge and beyond. The podcast typically involves mathematical themes, but is specifically aimed at a general audience. The focus is on the subjects being interviewed and the social stories they have to tell, not just on the significance and details of the research they may be undertaking. We hope there is interest and inspiration here for everyone.- The Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences (UK) is an international research centre based in Cambridge, UK. A part of the University of Cambridge, it has been hosting research programmes on mathematical themes since July 1992.Visit > www.newton.ac.uk/news/ini-podcast

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Living Proof: the Isaac Newton Institute podcast

#66 A conversation with Sarah Hart

April 23, 2025 • Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences

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Welcome to the latest episode of Living Proof, our podcast produced in collaboration with Plus.maths.org

In this episode we spoke to Sarah Hart, a mathematician interested in not just the maths itself, but also its connections to other areas of literature and art. She's done an amazing number of things throughout her career — from research in pure mathematics and heading up a maths department, to being the first woman Gresham Professor of Geometry and President of the British Society for the History of Mathematics.

Sarah has also written a fascinating book, called Once upon a prime: The wondrous connections between mathematics and literature, and she gave a talk at this year's Cambridge Festival, with the intriguing title Life in Lilliput – The Mathematics of Fictional Realms that was held at the INI. Sarah also participates in the Modern History of Mathematics research programme that is currently taking place at the INI.

In this episode, Sarah tells us many things she has done and how they all fit together, and gives some advice for budding mathematicians of all ages: "keep pursuing all the things you love doing, and one day it may turn out that they all fit together."

To find out more about some of the things mentioned in this podcast see the following links:

Sarah Hart: Once upon a prime — In this episode of Maths on the Move podcast Sarah talks about her book and the connections between maths and literature.
Maths in three minutes: Groups — This article gives a brief introduction to Sarah's research area.
Life in Lilliput – The Mathematics of Fictional Realms — Click this link to watch a recording of Sarah's Cambridge Festival talk at the INI.