.jpg)
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
Living Proof: the Isaac Newton Institute podcast
#70 Codina Cotar and some amazing mathematical art
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Earlier this year the the anomalous mathematical patterns sci-art competition attracted some jaw-dropping entries. The competition was held in connection to the Stochastic systems for anomalous diffusion research programme which took place at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences (INI) in Cambridge last year.
In this episode of Living Proof, we talk to Codina Cotar, who co-organised the INI programme and helped put on the competition. Codina explains the maths which served as inspiration and discusses some of the winning entries. From coffee to quantum mechanics and from dance to diffusion, find out how mathematics, nature and art are inextricably linked.
Note that the in-person exhibition at the INI is now scheduled for March 2026.
The entries discusses in this podcast are shown below. To find out more about some of the mathematical topics mentioned in this podcast see:
- The Sci-art competition - This article explores some of the mathematics behind the competition, including randomness, diffusion, and many particle systems.
- The Fields Medals 2022: Maryna Viazovska - This article looks at the mathematics of sphere packings, which won a Fields Medal for the mathematician Maryna Viazovska.
- Maths in a Minute: Fluid dynamics - A very bried introduction to the mathematics of liquids and gases.
- A ridiculously short introduction to some very basic quantum mechanics - This article does what the title suggests.
- A brief history of quantum field theory - A deeper look at the theory that arose from quantum mechanics.