What do you do all day?

Brendan Owens, maths lecturer

WHATS YOUR JOB?

I am a mathematics lecturer in the University of Glasgow. I teach maths to undergraduate and post-grad students and I do research in low-dimensional topology. This includes the study of knots, and spaces called manifolds of dimensions up to 4 (these seem to include our physical universe and also space-time). The study of knot theory dates back to the work of Lord Kelvin – another Irishman working in Glasgow. He had a theory that elements would turn out to be knotted “vortices in the aether”. This theory didnt really go anywhere but it led to a lot of interesting maths. In the last 30 years or so there has been a lot more interaction between maths and physics, with new theories from physics leading to new methods and understanding in geometry and topology.

WHEN AT PARTIES, HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN WHAT YOU DO?

I tell people what my job is – often that is the end of the conversation. If not, I explain that it is a combination of teaching and research. People are often surprised since they have the impression somehow that all of mathematics is known already. The truth is that every interesting piece of maths leads to many more questions. Some questions have been answered completely but our ignorance is vast.

WHAT'S THE MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT IT?

Research in maths is an incredible emotional rollercoaster. You have to be very patient and determined to get anywhere and you spend most of your time feeling stupid and frustrated, but when you get a new insight or idea it is an amazing rush.

HOW MUCH OF YOUR DAY DO YOU SPEND JUST DOING MATHS?

This varies very much. During the teaching semester, sometimes none at all. During the summer, as much as 8 or 10 hours or more.

HOW MANY DIMENSIONS ARE THERE?

As many as you need!

WHATS THE MOST AMAZING FACT YOU KNOW?

Darwin’s explanation of life on earth, no contest! Somehow I never wanted to study biology though, too reality-based for me. Maths is full of amazing facts. For example, every three-dimensional manifold is a covering of the three-dimensional sphere branched along the figure-eight knot. That is a little complicated – I dont entirely understand it myself – but I find it pretty mind-blowing.