Professor Marcus du Sautoy OBE FRS

Marcus du Sautoy is the Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of New College. His research uses classical tools from number theory to explore the mathematics of symmetry. He applies methods from a wide range of mathematics: zeta functions, algebraic geometry, model theory, analysis, Lie groups and more. In 2001 he was awarded the Berwick prize from LMS for his mathematical research.

He is author of four popular science books: The Music of the Primes (2003), Finding Moonshine (2008), The Number Mysteries (2010) and What We Cannot Know (2016). He has presented numerous radio and TV series including a four part landmark TV series for the BBC called The Story of Maths.  He works extensively with a range of arts organisations bringing science alive for the public from The Royal Opera House to the Glastonbury Festival.

In 2009 he was awarded the Royal Society’s Faraday Prize, the UK’s premier award for excellence in communicating science. He received an OBE for services to science in the 2010 New Year’s Honours List.

Professional position

  • Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford

Subject groups

  • Mathematics

    Pure mathematics

  • Other

    Public engagement

Awards

  • Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture

Committees Participated Role
Science Policy Expert Advisory Committee January 2017 - December 2019 Member
Machine Learning Working Group November 2015 - October 2025 Member
Machine Learning Working Group November 2015 - December 2017 Member
Research Appointment Panel A(i) January 2007 - December 2009 Member