As Director of Pure Maths, I am keen to support all aspects of pure mathematics research within the department. If you have a research environment or grant application concern do feel free to email me or drop by at any time (undergraduate students should, however, use office hours please).

Meanwhile, here is a little about me. Educated 1st degree Cambridge including part III in theoretical physics and PhD Harvard jointly in the mathematical physics and pure mathematics departments. After a year in Swansea, spent 10 years in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Cambridge and as a Fellow of Pembroke College. Moved to Queen Mary in 1999.

I'm interested in almost all aspects of pure mathematics and mathematical structures needed to address fundamental problems in theoretical physics. I have nothing against string theory but don't think it is nearly radical enough to be the 'ultimate' theory of physics, which I suspect won't have even a continuum for spacetime let alone points or strings moving in a continuum. I don't think Nature knows or cares what is in maths books so that we do have to be pure mathematicians to do theoretical physics; in my opinion its a mistake to think otherwise.

Among my research results, I helped pioneer the modern theory of quantum groups  introducing one of the two main types (the bicrossproducts associated to Lie group factorisations), introduced a new kind of braided algebra done with knots and tangles, proposed an important model in which  spacetime itself is quantum and helped pioneer a corresponding theory of noncommutative differential geometry including frame bundles and gravitation, and introduced nonassociative geometry including results on the Octonions. My latest paper constructs quantum black holes. More details in some of the links above.

There is also a quantum algebras  home page for research group information. My latest book On Space and Time is all about engaging with the public on the true nature of space and time. I have been involved in several public events on the topic including interviews and a podcast, see some of the links on this page.

My last book (now out in paperback)

My Space and Time Blog