Welcome to Voices of Mathematics, the podcast that takes you inside the Mathematics Faculty at the University of Cambridge.
After five and a half years, Professor Colm-cille Caulfield stepped down as Head of the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) here in Cambridge from 1 October 2025, handing over the role to Professor Nick Dorey.
Colm took up the role in January 2020, just months before the country was plunged into lockdown during the COVID pandemic. But as well as steering DAMTP during international crisis, his time in post has seen a huge range of innovation, growth and development. This includes the introduction of new taught courses (including three new Masters programmes) and the recruitment of outstanding colleagues at all career stages, working on exciting and diverse fields.
We talked to him to learn more about the major challenges and proud moments of this unique job, what makes DAMTP a special place to work and study, and what advice he would pass on to a new head of department.
The podcast is presented by Marianne Freiberger, Editor of Plus (plus.maths.org) and Julia Hawkins, both from the outreach, engagement and communications team at the Mathematics Faculty (https://www.maths.cam.ac.uk).
You can find out more about DAMTP at https://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk and read more about our interview with Colm at https://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/features/colm-cille-caulfield-looks-back-his-time-head-department
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Voices of Mathematics: David Tong
Welcome to the first ever edition of Voices of Mathematics, a podcast from the Mathematics Faculty at the University of Cambridge.
From number theory and geometry to cosmology and quantum physics, join us to explore topics across pure and applied mathematics, mathematical statistics and theoretical physics.
In this episode we talk to David Tong, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics.
2025 marks an important milestone in the history of physics: the 100th birthday of quantum mechanics. We ask David about the ongoing impact of the discovery a century ago, and explore how this links to his own research area of quantum field theory.
And, as he publishes a series of textbooks based on his celebrated lecture notes, David shares some of the exciting connections between very different areas of physics.
The podcast is hosted by Marianne Freiberger and Rachel Thomas, Editors of Plus, from the communications and outreach team at the Mathematics Faculty.
To find out more about topics mentioned in this podcast see:
David Tong's series of text books
A brief introduction to quantum mechanics on Plus
A brief history of quantum field theory on Plus
Sean Carroll's Mindscape podcast featuring David Tong
Discover more about the University of Cambridge Faculty of Mathematics at maths.cam.ac.uk.
Insights and interviews from the Mathematics Faculty, University of Cambridge.
Voices of Mathematics takes you inside the University of Cambridge's Mathematics Faculty, the home of the Cambridge Mathematics departments.
From number theory and geometry to cosmology and quantum physics, the Faculty's work explores fundamental and exciting questions to extend the boundaries of discovery. In conversations with researchers from both departments, we explore topics across pure and applied mathematics, mathematical statistics and theoretical physics.
Join us for conversations with members of the Mathematics Faculty as they share their personal insights into the fascinating - and wide - world of mathematics and the mathematical sciences.
Find out more at maths.cam.ac.uk
Voices of Mathematics is hosted by Marianne Freiberger and Rachel Thomas, Editors of Plus.
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