DR DAVID ROBERTS
The University of Adelaide
We talk to Dr David Roberts about category theory and it’s usefulness, as well as some of his interests outside of mathematics
1. How do you explain your work and its real-world impact to people outside of the mathematical sciences?
I work on the mathematical theory that other mathematicians can then adapt for their own work. Many problems from different areas in maths share the same structure, and one can abstract this and solve the problem once; this is called category theory. I like to work on the interface between this ‘solve once’ viewpoint and the actual implementation of the solution in more specific cases.
2. What drives your interest in this field?
I can make my own mathematical rules to play with, and then remove some rules and see if I still can play the game. Also, I get to learn lots of different kinds of mathematics.
3. If not mathematics research, what would have been?
When I started university I had planned on working at CERN as a particle theorist. I also worked as an applied statistician for three years after finishing my PhD in pure mathematics.
4. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Uninterrupted concentration.
5. Rock star scientist, master chef, closet artist, what is something about you that might surprise people?
I very much enjoy Tolkien’s wider Legendarium.
Dr David Roberts will be presenting the topic Algebraic Topology: First Steps in Cohomology at the 2021 Summer School at The University of Adelaide in January.
