Science is Global

I am not a scientist. But I make lots of videos about science.

This has given me an appreciation for the global nature of science, which is being highlighted by the Royal Society's "Science is Global" campaign. (More here)

The society is encouraging people to take photos of lab groups showing the nationality of people in their groups (like this), showcasing the importance of movement between nations.

Without this ease of movement - this sharing of ideas, talent and resources - science would progress much more slowly. And that is bad for everyone in the world, not just professional scientists. 

Here are some science videos I've been involved with in recent years.

CHILE 🇨🇱  (more videos from this trip here)

INDIA 🇮🇳  (more from India here)

ETHIOPIA 🇪🇹  (more from this trip here)

SWEDEN 🇸🇪  (more from this trip here)

CHINA 🇨🇳 

AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺  (more from Down Under)

NEPAL 🇳🇵

FRANCE 🇫🇷

BRAZIL 🇧🇷  (more from Brazil)

SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭  (more videos at the Large Hadron Collider)

IRELAND 🇮🇪

ANTARCTICA 🇦🇶

UNITED STATES 🇺🇸

ITALY 🇮🇹  (more from our Turin Trip)

UNITED KINGDOM 🇬🇧

Doctor of Letters

On July 20, 2016, I received an honorary doctorate from the University of Nottingham.

It was a Doctor of Letters honoris causa.

It was a really great day and I'm grateful to everyone involved.

The ceremony was presided over by the University's Vice-Chancellor, Sir David Greenaway, and the oration was delivered by Professor Michael Merrifield.

I think 173 students from the School of Physics and Astronomy received their (real deal) graduation certificates, and then I got to say a few words at the end.

Below is some video footage from the event and a few photos.

I think maybe I prefer this "unofficial" video of the speech... Makes the laughter sound louder!

Anti-Prime Numbers

This Numberphile video, featuring Dr James Grime, is about so-called Highly Composite Numbers.

Or as I prefer to call them, Anti-Primes, because to me they seem as far removed from being prime as possible.

Here - posted on Numberphile's extras channel - is more footage about there being Infinite Anti-Primes and a nice blunder by Ramanujan.

And finally I thought this was worth sharing because:
a) I have seen other people make the incorrect assumption in YouTube comments.
b) It is fun to see how Numberphile videos are made and how we sometimes think on our feet, with mixed results!

If you like seeing the extra footage from Numberphile videos, can I recommend you subscribe to Numberphile2 on YouTube.

Highly Composite Numbers on Wikipedia.

And here is a good resource about very large HCNs.

After filming, I learned I'm not the first person to suggest calling these numbers anti-prime - see this 2009 blog post.

To Stay or not to Stay?

The UK is holding a referendum about whether it will leave or remain in the European Union!?

I spoke to two scientists who feature prominently in my videos - Sir Martyn Poliakoff and Professor Mike Merrifield.

These videos represent their personal views and answers to my questions - it does not represent any of the organisations they're involved with.

You can also hear me discuss the EU referendum with CGP Grey on episode 63 of Hello Internet (the discussion starts about 1:14.30 into the podcast).

Caveman and Robot

Hello Internet listener Kevin emailed recently.

In part, his email said:

"With all the talk about games on Hello Internet recently I thought I'd throw in my profession into the ring. I'm a freelance digital artist that specializes in video game asset development and production... I've worked on just about everything ranging from 2D initial concept art up to game ready animated sprites and full 3D assets (low and high poly modelling, sculpting and texturing).
"Though it's been a while since I listened to HI while working (hard to pay attention particularly while doing more technical work), I do still listen when I'm out and about. I make a point to get away from my computer as much as possible when not working, which is when I really get a chance to listen more recently."

I couldn't resist asking Kevin to turn his talents to Hello Internet itself... Here's what he came up with.

Technical info from Kevin...

"I mainly used Zbrush to sculpt and paint, with a little 3DSmax, particularly for the hard surfaces and repeating shapes on Greys model, and Photoshop for final render."

For more caveman and robot antics, here's the most recent HI Animated by Dovsky:

Awards Night

The University of Nottingham handed out its 2016 Knowledge Exchange and Impact Awards last night.

Various academics and teams were recognised for work that impacts well beyond the confines of the university.

It was really interesting to see short presentations about all the nominees - lots of amazing projects I was unaware of but which would make cool videos. I was particularly interested in a few innovations involving the aviation industry.

This year there were two media-related categories, and "we" were entered in a digital media section.

The Prof and Neil from Periodic Videos

The Prof and Neil from Periodic Videos

"We" actually comprised three projects - Periodic Videos, Sixty Symbols and Computerphile - as a joint entry.

And despite some stiff competition, we won our category.

Here's a video with highlights from all three projects together (It was never used... so may as well post it here to boost its audience beyond three people!)

At the event to pick up the trophy and pose for photos were David Brailsford  (Computerphile), Mike Merrifield (Sixty Symbols), Neil Barnes (Periodic Videos), me (various), and Martyn Poliakoff (Periodic Videos).

Of course myriad people are responsible for the videos, including a list of researchers and professors too long to list here. Just some of them are here and here.

And a special shout-out to my colleague Sean Riley who makes nearly all the Computerphile videos.

Undisputed highlight of the evening was Neil's name tag promoting him to doctor... Neil had a wry smile and popped the tag in his pocket!