Mathsci-comm Network
Connecting people who communicate complex mathematics and data science to non-expert audiences

Listening and Responding to Public Interest

Duncan Yellowlees speaking at the event, photograph by the Isaac Newton Institute of Mathematical Sciences

In January 2026, the Mathsci-comm network held a workshop on Listening and Responding to Public Interest at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences in Cambridge,  This was the network’s second in-person event, building on our November 2024 workshop and following discussions with our members. 

If you would like to know more, the video below is a playlist of the talks and discussions from the day (also available on YouTube). We have also compiled a list of resources for those interested in learning more. 

The day was organised under the themes listed below - the talks are all available in the playlist above:

  • Setting the scene, Rachel Thomas and Marianne Freiberger (University of Cambridge)
  • Welcome from Hannah Fry (University of Cambridge)
  • Working in an Area of Public Interest
    • Be intelligent, not artificial by Christopher Budd (University of Bath)
    • Master of the Machinery: Climate and Energy Modelling by Aled Jones (Anglia Ruskin University)
    • Talking from experience: how NOT to communicate Mathematics by David Abrahams (University of Cambridge)
    • Chaired by Luke Davis (University of Edinburgh)
  • Listening to an Engaging with Public Interest
    • Social attitudes and the art of asking questions by Gillian Prior (National Centre for Social Research)
    • Adapting to a Changing Audience by Kat Phillips (University of Warwick)
    • Providing access to data and information by Anna Khoo (Office for National Statistics)
    • Chaired by Suzanne Halls (Office for Statistics Regulation)
  • Responding to Public Interest: Lessons from Journalism
    • What’s the story? Numbers and Narratives by Timandra Harkness
    • The Importance of Engaging with the News Media - The Work of the Science Media Centre by Ed Day (Science Media Centre)
    • Lessons from Journalism by John Burn-Murdoch (Financial Times)
    • Chaired by Chris Brignell (Royal Statistics Society)
  • Next Steps: a panel discussion with Anna Khoo (Office for National Statistics), Julia Gog (University of Cambridge) and Katie Steckles (Manchester Metropolitan University), chaired by Rachel Thomas (University of Cambridge)
  • Training sessions, run by Duncan Yellowlees, Jamie Gallager and Ben Sparks, chaired by David Schley (Sense About Science)
  • Brady Haran, from Numperphile and winner of the 2024 Christopher Zeeman Medal, spoke at the Networking Reception.

We are grateful for the support of the Knowledge Exchange Hub for Mathematical Sciences, Academy for the Mathematical Sciences, Government Analysis Function. 

The event and the Mathsci-comm network are funded by a Network Grant from the INI and EPSRC (Ref: EP/V521929/1). 

The image above shows show Duncan Yellowlees talking at the event, photography by the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences.