Interview with Thomas Nikolaus

Thomas Nikolaus is a professor in the University of Münster, working in algebraic K-theory and homotopy theory. In this interview Thomas talks, among other things, about non-standard approaches to math seminars, the importance of branching out and asking questions, and the lack of feedback in the mathematical community. Thomas' homepage: https://www.uni-muenster.de/IVV5WS/WebHop/user/nikolaus/index.html Photo is taken from the website of the University of Münster #mathematician #mathlife #interview #mathresearch #mathstruggles #homotopytheory #mathphd #mathseminar #mathhiring 0:00 teaser 0:50 changing research areas 3:22 learning vs working 5:44 teaching advice 6:53 branching out 8:15 advising PhD students 10:09 writing skills 11:31 lack of feedback in the math community 15:06 the famous Bonn seminar 17:15 the feeling of not good enough in math 19:55 interesting jobs outside academia 21:25 Thomas interviews me… oops! 27:10 the right definition of K-theory 29:50 taking care of your research group 31:15 seminar where speakers aren’t allowed to prepare 33:50 asking questions at talks 36:31 choosing whom to hire 38:28 getting over math frustration 39:35 don’t be afraid