Speaker · Writer · Performer · Science Poet · Reviewer

Re-enchanting the Mathematical

I really like maths, like, a lot. In fact, I think maths is the closest thing we have to magic and I design everything I do around helping others to experience that for themselves! This page is a highlights reel of what that's looked like so far.

Live talks · Conferences · Guest lectures

Selected talks & appearances

Royal Institution, London

Exploring Mathematical Ocean Sciences

Delivered in the main lecture theatre to 300+ Year 5 and 6 students as part of the Climate Innovation Day. Teacher feedback: "The best explanation of fluid dynamics I've ever heard, and I did a mechanical engineering degree!"

2023 Guest lecture
Gathering for Gardner (G4G15) · Atlanta

A Chaotic Series of Mathematical Accidents

Presented a talk on the role of 'accidents' in mathematical discovery at one of the world's most celebrated gatherings of mathematical minds. Awarded full G4G scholarship and £900 Dean's Fund Travel Grant.

2024 Scholar
FameLab · Cheltenham Science Festival

Regional Winner & National Finalist

Competed in FameLab, the international science communication competition, winning the South East regional final and reaching the national final. The regional final was broadcasted on KMTV and the nation final took place at Cheltenham Science Festival

2023 Award winner

Articles · Poems · Essays · Blogs

Science writing

Medium · Nov 2023 · Featured in Carnival of Mathematics

Nursery Rhymes for Curious Minds: The Queen of Hearts Messes Up Her Tarts

A science poem reimagining a classic nursery rhyme as an introduction to Bayes' Theorem. Selected for inclusion in the Carnival of Mathematics.

Read on Medium
Medium · Jan 2024

A Star, That Ran Out of Fuel, and Suffered a Catastrophe of Supermassive Dimensions

Another entry in the science poetry series, this one turning stellar evolution into verse as a parody of George, Who played with a Dangerous Toy, and suffered a Catastrophe of considerable Dimensions from Hilaire Beloc's Cautionary Tales for Children. Part of an ongoing project exploring how poetry can make scientific ideas playful and memorable.

Read on Medium
Womanthology · 2024

Science is Best When it's Shared

A reflection on the importance of making science accessible and the personal commitment behind science communication work. Published in Womanthology's online platform.

Read at Womanthology
Imperial College Faculty of Natural Sciences Blog · 2024

Do Ducks Have Knees?

A piece for the Imperial College Faculty of Natural Sciences blog reflecting on the importance of extracurricular STEM clubs in promoting passion for science and mathematics in young students.

Read on Imperial blog

Illustrations · Competitions · Permanent installations

Science art

Competition entry · First Runner-Up

The Making of a Modeller

First Runner-Up in the Challenger Society for Marine Science Art and Photography Competition 2024. The piece reflects on what it means to build mathematical models of the ocean.

Permanent installation · Imperial College London

History of Mathematics Window Display

Designed seven consecutive windows spanning mathematics history from 2700 BC to the present day, displayed in the Huxley Building at Imperial College London until at least 2034.

Science poetry

Science poetry & mathematical illustration

An ongoing body of work combining poetry, illustration, and mathematics, including the Nursery Rhymes for Curious Minds series and digital art and illustrations created with Procreate.


Long-term projects · Programmes · Initiatives

Public engagement & outreach

Hello World Hack

Co-created and co-designed a coding workshop for girls aged 7–10, awarded £2,000 from the Imperial College Societal Engagement Seed Fund. Delivered to 60+ children in person and 30 virtually.

Partnership with Imperial College London's Department of Computing

Imperial College London Outreach

Academic Leader and Mentor across multiple outreach programmes (2021–2025) including the Sutton Trust Summer School, STEM Futures, STEM Potential, and Insights residential programmes. Created content on fluid dynamics and probability for Year 10–12 students from underrepresented backgrounds, and co-led Primary Science Club and Primary Maths Transition Programme sessions.

Sutton Trust · STEM Futures · STEM Potential · Insights · Primary Maths · Primary Science
for speaking enquiries, collaborations, or just a chat

Want to work together?

I'm available for talks, workshops, panel appearances, podcasts,
science writing commissions, and public engagement partnerships.

vanessa@vanessamadu.com