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David O'Sullivan

Dr. David O'Sullivan MIMA, FHEA

Senior Lecturer


Summary

I am a lecturer of mathematics and a researcher in pure mathematics and mathematics pedagogy in higher education. I joined Sheffield Hallam in November 2015, and prior to that I studied mathematics at the University of Sheffield before undertaking a PhD at the same university.

For my PhD I studied noncommutative geometry, which is the interplay between abstract algebra and geometry. My thesis, "Topological C*-Categories", concerns the application of category theory to open problems in noncommutative geometry. My current research interests are split between noncommutative geometry, and recreational mathematics.

About

I joined Sheffield Hallam as a lecturer in maths in November 2015. Prior to that I studied mathematics at the University of Sheffield before undertaking a PhD at the same university. For my PhD I studied noncommutative geometry, which is the interplay between abstract algebra and geometry. My thesis, "Topological C*-Categories", concerns the application of category theory to open problems in noncommutative geometry.

Teaching

Department of Engineering and Mathematics

College of Business, Technology and Engineering

I supervise a number of final year projects for the BSc Mathematics course in areas including cryptography, game theory and topology. I also teach on modules in linear algebra, abstract algebra, and combinatorial game theory.

Subject Area

Mathematics

I currently teach on modules in game theory, linear algebra, and abstract algebra, and am the coordinator for the BSc Mathematics final year projects.

Research

Research:

My current active research falls into two categories:

  1. Applications of C*-categories to questions concerning the Baum-Connes conjecture.
  2. The use of recreational mathematics in degree level maths courses.

I am also interested in (topological) invariants for combinatorial and recreational games.

Publications

Journal articles

Rowlett, P., Smith, E., Corner, A., O'Sullivan, D., & Waldock, J. (2019). The potential of recreational mathematics to support the development of mathematical learning. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 50 (7), 972-986. http://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2019.1657596

Other activities

I am the current Course Leader for the BSc Mathematics course. I am also the coordinator for the BSc Mathematics final year projects.

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