We are thrilled to introduce Owain, our new College Assistant Professor in Mathematics.
To start, could you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to Cambridge?
Absolutely! I grew up in Manchester and later moved to London to study at Imperial College. After three years there, I came to Cambridge for Part III of the Mathematical Tripos, followed by a PhD, also in maths but with a strong leaning towards theoretical physics. I’ve always been drawn to the structure and sense of discovery that maths offers, which feels exploring a vast landscape governed by strict logical rules. It’s that sense of discovery that has always captivated me!
What was it about maths that drew you in, as opposed to other subjects like English or history?
I’ve always been good at maths, and I find it very satisfying. While I enjoy reading history or discussing it, I’ve never felt the same pull to study it academically. With maths, there’s something about the structure and the clarity of it that really resonates with me. When you learn something new in maths, especially when you work it out for yourself, it feels like you’re uncovering something that already exists, waiting to be discovered.
Could you tell us a bit about your research interests, particularly your PhD?
In my PhD, I studied black holes in general relativity, specifically looking at their stability. In simple terms, stability means understanding how something behaves when it’s slightly disturbed—does it return to its original state, or does something else happen? My work involved exploring these questions through the lens of mathematical general relativity, which uses mathematical ideas from geometry and analysis to study questions arising in physics.
What led you to focus more on teaching rather than continuing purely in research?
Around the second year of my PhD, I realised that I was enjoying teaching more than research. When I began applying for jobs in my fourth year, I found myself drawn to positions that were more teaching-focused. I think I’m better at teaching than research, and it’s something I really enjoy. I got a couple of teaching jobs at Oxford, but I always knew I wanted to come back to Cambridge, which after eight years feels like home.
So what brings you to Lucy Cavendish, and what will your role here involve?
I’ll be joining Lucy Cavendish as a College Assistant Professor, or a College Lecturer as it would be called at most colleges. I’ll be heavily involved in supervising students in maths (and a little bit in NatSci), directing studies in maths, and playing a significant part in the admissions process. I’m particularly excited about the continuity this role offers—I’ll get to work with students throughout their entire journey at Cambridge, from their first year to their final exams. It’s something I didn’t have as much of a chance to do in my previous roles, all of which were quite short-term, and I’m really looking forward to it.
Is there anything specific you’re looking forward to at Lucy Cavendish?
I’m looking forward to building lasting relationships with students and colleagues. Lucy Cavendish is a smaller college, and that intimacy allows for deeper connections among the whole community. I love the idea of being part of a student’s academic journey from start to finish. It’s also exciting to be involved in building up the supervision team and contributing to the college in a meaningful way.
It sounds like you’re going to have a wonderful impact here. Thank you so much for sharing your story, Owain. We’re excited to see the great things you’ll bring to Lucy Cavendish.
Thank you! I’m really looking forward to it. I’m eager to get started and meet everyone. And of course, I’m always up for a chat over a cup of tea or coffee when I’m in college!