Sam Kay
Mathematician. Freelance musician. Private tutor.

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. |
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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 | |
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Jun 18, 2025 | Chalkdust dissertation prize 2025 |
Jun 01, 2025 | How I like my vector fields |