What do maypole dancing, grocery delivery, and the quadratic formula all have in common? The answer is: braids! In this talk Tara explores how the ancient art of weaving strands together manifests itself in a variety of modern settings, both within mathematics and in our wider culture.

Tara Brendle is a Professor of Mathematics in the School of Mathematics & Statistics at the University of Glasgow. Her research lies in the area of geometric group theory, at the interface between algebra and topology. She is co-author of 'Braids: A Survey', appearing in 'The Handbook of Knot Theory'.

The Oxford Mathematics Public Lectures are generously supported by XTX Markets.