Kit Yates
@kityates.bsky.social
Author.
Prof of Math Bio and Public Engagement.
Member of Independent Sage since October 2020.
@Kit_Yates_Maths on twitter
Books -
Math(s) of Life and Death
How to Expect the Unexpected
Get them here: https://tinyurl.com/37rx2yuv
He/Him
Prof of Math Bio and Public Engagement.
Member of Independent Sage since October 2020.
@Kit_Yates_Maths on twitter
Books -
Math(s) of Life and Death
How to Expect the Unexpected
Get them here: https://tinyurl.com/37rx2yuv
He/Him
Back in Manchester; went for one of my favourite runs - past the McVities factory.
Growing up, this was the Wonka’s Chocolate factory to my Charlie Bucket.
Growing up, this was the Wonka’s Chocolate factory to my Charlie Bucket.
January 2, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Back in Manchester; went for one of my favourite runs - past the McVities factory.
Growing up, this was the Wonka’s Chocolate factory to my Charlie Bucket.
Growing up, this was the Wonka’s Chocolate factory to my Charlie Bucket.
Happy new year!
Chickenpox vaccines for children on NHS starts across UK
For the first time, children will be offered vaccination on the NHS against the common infection which, in rare cases, can be very serious.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Happy new year!
Yesterday was the coldest day of the year!
Of course it was.
If you want to know how often we expect records break to you can find more here:
Of course it was.
If you want to know how often we expect records break to you can find more here:
What can world records teach us about climate change?
Using the mathematics of record-breaking to reveal a changing climate
kityates.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Yesterday was the coldest day of the year!
Of course it was.
If you want to know how often we expect records break to you can find more here:
Of course it was.
If you want to know how often we expect records break to you can find more here:
So proud of so the people at MathsWorldUK who’ve been working so hard to give the UK its first City of Maths.
Enjoy it Leeds!
Enjoy it Leeds!
Leeds braced for launch of two years as UK's first City of Maths
The new two-year initiative aims to transform the way people think and feel about the subject.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 30, 2025 at 9:24 AM
So proud of so the people at MathsWorldUK who’ve been working so hard to give the UK its first City of Maths.
Enjoy it Leeds!
Enjoy it Leeds!
People should know what they are voting for.
“A third of Reform UK’s council leaders across the country have expressed vaccine-sceptic views, openly questioning public health measures that keep millions safe.”
“A third of Reform UK’s council leaders across the country have expressed vaccine-sceptic views, openly questioning public health measures that keep millions safe.”
Third of Reform UK’s council leaders have expressed vaccine-sceptic views
Health minister decries criticism of vaccinations by heads of four authorities as ‘dangerous and utterly irresponsible’
www.theguardian.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:00 AM
People should know what they are voting for.
“A third of Reform UK’s council leaders across the country have expressed vaccine-sceptic views, openly questioning public health measures that keep millions safe.”
“A third of Reform UK’s council leaders across the country have expressed vaccine-sceptic views, openly questioning public health measures that keep millions safe.”
Reposted by Kit Yates
I've written an end of year substack post about tracking Trump, where we are ending the year and some implications for Europe and for me personally...
christinapagel.substack.com/p/personal-r...
christinapagel.substack.com/p/personal-r...
Personal reflections on a Trumpian 2025
The implications of a year in Trump's new America and why I started tracking Trump - and why I'm not stopping.
christinapagel.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:25 PM
I've written an end of year substack post about tracking Trump, where we are ending the year and some implications for Europe and for me personally...
christinapagel.substack.com/p/personal-r...
christinapagel.substack.com/p/personal-r...
Reposted by Kit Yates
PSA: You don’t owe anyone an explanation about the health reasons why you are wearing a mask.
Badgering others about the tools they need to survive is stigmatizing and ableist, and should have no place in decent society.
Badgering others about the tools they need to survive is stigmatizing and ableist, and should have no place in decent society.
December 29, 2025 at 7:56 PM
PSA: You don’t owe anyone an explanation about the health reasons why you are wearing a mask.
Badgering others about the tools they need to survive is stigmatizing and ableist, and should have no place in decent society.
Badgering others about the tools they need to survive is stigmatizing and ableist, and should have no place in decent society.
Reposted by Kit Yates
Great thread.
"These models optimise for likely answers, not guaranteed truth. That’s a poor match for formal proofs where every step must be correct."
This is in general the case with what we call "AI" (ie machine learning): they can be of an efficient help, if you know what you are looking for.
"These models optimise for likely answers, not guaranteed truth. That’s a poor match for formal proofs where every step must be correct."
This is in general the case with what we call "AI" (ie machine learning): they can be of an efficient help, if you know what you are looking for.
AI companies have turned their attention to maths.
Between splashy headlines and sober inspection lies a more interesting story: systems that impress and develop, yet still lean on humans.
What happens when AI starts tackling maths - and what doesn’t?
1/10
Between splashy headlines and sober inspection lies a more interesting story: systems that impress and develop, yet still lean on humans.
What happens when AI starts tackling maths - and what doesn’t?
1/10
December 29, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Great thread.
"These models optimise for likely answers, not guaranteed truth. That’s a poor match for formal proofs where every step must be correct."
This is in general the case with what we call "AI" (ie machine learning): they can be of an efficient help, if you know what you are looking for.
"These models optimise for likely answers, not guaranteed truth. That’s a poor match for formal proofs where every step must be correct."
This is in general the case with what we call "AI" (ie machine learning): they can be of an efficient help, if you know what you are looking for.
Reposted by Kit Yates
From mathematician @kityates.bsky.social, further logical backing for us all to remember about AI: treat it like any evolving software & scrape thru what it 🤮 at you.
“You wouldn’t want to use it in writing a proof, for the same reason you wouldn’t want ChatGPT writing your life insurance contract”
“You wouldn’t want to use it in writing a proof, for the same reason you wouldn’t want ChatGPT writing your life insurance contract”
You can get a deeper dive into the impact AI is having on mathematics in my latest substack post.
substack.com/home/po...
10/10
substack.com/home/po...
10/10
December 29, 2025 at 2:39 PM
From mathematician @kityates.bsky.social, further logical backing for us all to remember about AI: treat it like any evolving software & scrape thru what it 🤮 at you.
“You wouldn’t want to use it in writing a proof, for the same reason you wouldn’t want ChatGPT writing your life insurance contract”
“You wouldn’t want to use it in writing a proof, for the same reason you wouldn’t want ChatGPT writing your life insurance contract”
AI companies have turned their attention to maths.
Between splashy headlines and sober inspection lies a more interesting story: systems that impress and develop, yet still lean on humans.
What happens when AI starts tackling maths - and what doesn’t?
1/10
Between splashy headlines and sober inspection lies a more interesting story: systems that impress and develop, yet still lean on humans.
What happens when AI starts tackling maths - and what doesn’t?
1/10
December 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM
AI companies have turned their attention to maths.
Between splashy headlines and sober inspection lies a more interesting story: systems that impress and develop, yet still lean on humans.
What happens when AI starts tackling maths - and what doesn’t?
1/10
Between splashy headlines and sober inspection lies a more interesting story: systems that impress and develop, yet still lean on humans.
What happens when AI starts tackling maths - and what doesn’t?
1/10
Reposted by Kit Yates
If you're looking to do a little bit of Christmas-flavoured science with the kids then you could do worse than read this little article.
Can't wait to try @sellathechemist.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy Fro-Co recipe.
PS The weird symbol in my piece (ϖ) is supposed to be π.
Can't wait to try @sellathechemist.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy Fro-Co recipe.
PS The weird symbol in my piece (ϖ) is supposed to be π.
Cracker jokes and custard chemistry: ways to smuggle science into Christmas
Researchers share the easy ways to uncover moments of festive discovery, proving you don’t need a lab coat to experiment this Christmas
www.theguardian.com
December 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM
If you're looking to do a little bit of Christmas-flavoured science with the kids then you could do worse than read this little article.
Can't wait to try @sellathechemist.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy Fro-Co recipe.
PS The weird symbol in my piece (ϖ) is supposed to be π.
Can't wait to try @sellathechemist.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy Fro-Co recipe.
PS The weird symbol in my piece (ϖ) is supposed to be π.
Christmas puzzle challenge completed (sorry Luxembourg - we lost you since last year).
December 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Christmas puzzle challenge completed (sorry Luxembourg - we lost you since last year).
If you're looking to do a little bit of Christmas-flavoured science with the kids then you could do worse than read this little article.
Can't wait to try @sellathechemist.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy Fro-Co recipe.
PS The weird symbol in my piece (ϖ) is supposed to be π.
Can't wait to try @sellathechemist.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy Fro-Co recipe.
PS The weird symbol in my piece (ϖ) is supposed to be π.
Cracker jokes and custard chemistry: ways to smuggle science into Christmas
Researchers share the easy ways to uncover moments of festive discovery, proving you don’t need a lab coat to experiment this Christmas
www.theguardian.com
December 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM
If you're looking to do a little bit of Christmas-flavoured science with the kids then you could do worse than read this little article.
Can't wait to try @sellathechemist.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy Fro-Co recipe.
PS The weird symbol in my piece (ϖ) is supposed to be π.
Can't wait to try @sellathechemist.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy Fro-Co recipe.
PS The weird symbol in my piece (ϖ) is supposed to be π.
Can’t imagine what the family have bought me for Christmas this year!
December 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Can’t imagine what the family have bought me for Christmas this year!
Presumably Man United's new stadium will just be called "Trafford"!
December 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Presumably Man United's new stadium will just be called "Trafford"!
Your really considerate Australian friends haven’t got in touch about the Ashes!
December 21, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Your really considerate Australian friends haven’t got in touch about the Ashes!
Found this wonderful example of a "net" on the floor.
Sometimes there is beauty in the broken.
Sometimes there is beauty in the broken.
December 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Found this wonderful example of a "net" on the floor.
Sometimes there is beauty in the broken.
Sometimes there is beauty in the broken.
Reposted by Kit Yates
Looking for a present for a 🤓? These books make great conversation too!
Nice to see the Maths of Life and Death and How to Expect the unexpected heading up the charts in the run up to Christmas.
It's still not too late to get yourself a copy of either in time for Christmas:
uk.bookshop.org/list...
It's still not too late to get yourself a copy of either in time for Christmas:
uk.bookshop.org/list...
December 19, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Looking for a present for a 🤓? These books make great conversation too!
I hope you enjoy it. The American version is not very different to the UK version! Less maths more math!
Just went out and bought it! (Under the American title, unfortunately, but ah well).
Nice to see the Maths of Life and Death and How to Expect the unexpected heading up the charts in the run up to Christmas.
It's still not too late to get yourself a copy of either in time for Christmas:
uk.bookshop.org/list...
It's still not too late to get yourself a copy of either in time for Christmas:
uk.bookshop.org/list...
December 20, 2025 at 1:42 PM
I hope you enjoy it. The American version is not very different to the UK version! Less maths more math!
Reposted by Kit Yates
Just went out and bought it! (Under the American title, unfortunately, but ah well).
Nice to see the Maths of Life and Death and How to Expect the unexpected heading up the charts in the run up to Christmas.
It's still not too late to get yourself a copy of either in time for Christmas:
uk.bookshop.org/list...
It's still not too late to get yourself a copy of either in time for Christmas:
uk.bookshop.org/list...
December 19, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Just went out and bought it! (Under the American title, unfortunately, but ah well).
Nice to see the Maths of Life and Death and How to Expect the unexpected heading up the charts in the run up to Christmas.
It's still not too late to get yourself a copy of either in time for Christmas:
uk.bookshop.org/list...
It's still not too late to get yourself a copy of either in time for Christmas:
uk.bookshop.org/list...
December 19, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Nice to see the Maths of Life and Death and How to Expect the unexpected heading up the charts in the run up to Christmas.
It's still not too late to get yourself a copy of either in time for Christmas:
uk.bookshop.org/list...
It's still not too late to get yourself a copy of either in time for Christmas:
uk.bookshop.org/list...
Reposted by Kit Yates
As Mondo duplantis wins BBC World Sports Star again, what can his record breaking teach us about climate change?
Why world records seem to be getting harder to beat - according to maths
New world records in some sports are remarkably elusive, yet in others they seem to fall regularly. There is a good mathematical reason why.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 8:37 PM
As Mondo duplantis wins BBC World Sports Star again, what can his record breaking teach us about climate change?
As Mondo duplantis wins BBC World Sports Star again, what can his record breaking teach us about climate change?
Why world records seem to be getting harder to beat - according to maths
New world records in some sports are remarkably elusive, yet in others they seem to fall regularly. There is a good mathematical reason why.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 8:37 PM
As Mondo duplantis wins BBC World Sports Star again, what can his record breaking teach us about climate change?
Even if flu has peaked, it’s worth remembering that levels are still high and it’s still with doing what you can to protect yourself and others.
Vaccinate, ventilate, mask etc
Vaccinate, ventilate, mask etc
Has flu peaked? What the figures tell us
NHS remains on high alert over flu, health bosses say, but there are signs infections are levelling off.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Even if flu has peaked, it’s worth remembering that levels are still high and it’s still with doing what you can to protect yourself and others.
Vaccinate, ventilate, mask etc
Vaccinate, ventilate, mask etc