Sam Kay

Mathematician. Freelance musician. Private tutor.

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Durham University

Upper Mountjoy Campus

Stockton Road

DH1 3LE


I am an MMath graduate from Durham University. I studied courses that branch off macroscopic-level fluid dynamics and quantum field theory (QFT), with a particular interest in the construction of the Standard Model.

This October I will be joining the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Durham for my PhD, specialising in astrophysical fluid dynamics. Project specifics: here.

I write and help produce the maths magazine Chalkdust; I have written a number of articles as myself and as the cryptic crossword setter Seuss.

I co-hosted the popular maths podcast Chalkboard Ultra, where Louie Leventhall and I talked about cool (!) concepts in maths and chatted to PhD candiates and lecturers about their research. The reins are now in the hands of Cassia Pearce.

During the summers I haved worked as a STEM, Outdoor Adventure and Rockshop counsellor at a children’s summer camp in Pennsylvania, USA. I have been the lead pianist and keytar player in various bands, most recently in Quantum Funk Theory (QFT).

news

Jun 20, 2025 Released Series 6 of Chalkboard Ultra: listen here.
Mar 17, 2025 Accepted my offer to study for a PhD!
Mar 17, 2025 Launched Issue 21 of Chalkdust magazine.
Feb 08, 2025 Released Series 5 of Chalkboard Ultra: listen here.
Nov 11, 2024 Released Series 4 of Chalkboard Ultra: listen here.

latest posts

Jul 06, 2025
Jun 18, 2025 Chalkdust dissertation prize 2025
Jun 01, 2025 How I like my vector fields