Interview with Dhruv Ranganathan

Dhruv Ranganathan is a lecturer at Cambridge University, working in algebraic geometry. In this video, Dhruv talks about doing research with undergrads, being tortured by math problems, looking for friends to write math papers, and other cool stuff!

Dhruv's webpage: https://www.dhruvrnathan.net

Photo: from the webpage

0:00 teaser

0:41 from cricket to air planes

2:16 adventure novels childhood

4:46 what do algebraic geometers do

8:39 experience of undergrad research

12:30 how undergrad research really works

15:35 “now I’m a believer”(c)

18:25 why so much pressure in doing math

21:09 how we create pressure for young people

23:44 doing math as a coping mechanism

27:00 math torture vs intense cartoon watching

28:50 speakers love getting any math questions

30:54 math for extroverts 

34:25 teaching students who leave academia

37:33 don’t beat yourself up for math mistakes

39:39 how we try and fail to improve inclusivity

43:44 don’t put people from minorities on every committee

45:45 the advice that’s too hard to follow

48:35 fireplace