Simon Willerton

Dr. Simon Willerton is a Senior Lecturer in Pure Mathematics at the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Sheffield. He has been at the University of Sheffield since 2002, after holding various research positions including a Royal Society Research Fellowship in Melbourne and an EU Marie Curie Fellowship in Strasbourg. He has held visiting positions at UC San Diego, UC Riverside, and the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Dr. Willerton completed his PhD at the University of Edinburgh in 1997. His academic journey began with a temporary lectureship at Edinburgh, followed by research fellowships in Melbourne and Strasbourg, and a Research Associate position at Heriot-Watt University. His career demonstrates a strong commitment to mathematical research and education in the UK and internationally.

Dr. Willerton's research spans multiple interconnected areas of pure mathematics. His primary interests lie at the intersection of topology, category theory, and metric geometry. He has made significant contributions to the study of magnitude of metric spaces, a concept that provides a measure of the "size" of a space that incorporates both its geometric and topological properties. His work on enriched category theory has provided new perspectives on metric spaces and their generalizations. Additionally, he has conducted important research in low-dimensional topology, particularly in the areas of knot theory and quantum invariants, building on connections between quantum physics and topological structures.

His extensive publication record reveals a consistent focus on the magnitude of metric spaces and related concepts, with applications ranging from biodiversity measurement to geometric analysis. The progression of his work shows a movement from traditional knot theory and quantum invariants toward more categorical approaches to metric geometry. His collaborations with researchers like Richard Hepworth, Tom Leinster, and others have produced influential results that bridge different mathematical disciplines.

• Senate Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (2009) for work with Eugenia Cheng on using YouTube in teaching mathematics

Dr. Willerton is actively involved in PhD supervision, with several current and former students working on topics related to enriched category theory, metric spaces, and quantum algebra. He co-founded The Catsters with Eugenia Cheng, producing educational YouTube videos on category theory that have reached a wide audience. His teaching innovations, particularly in using digital media for mathematical education, have been recognized with university awards. As a member of the topology research group at Sheffield, Dr. Willerton contributes to a vibrant mathematical community. His work on the n-Category Café blog and other outreach activities demonstrates his commitment to making advanced mathematical concepts accessible to broader audiences.