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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Three reasons why I enjoy doing talks for the U3A: - they deliver big audiences - they ask great questions - they like buying books Full house of 80 in Wanstead this afternoon.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

In December I’ll be delivering a three part history course about Elizabethan mathematics and Shakespeare, for 92NY in New York. It'll be live and online, and open to the public worldwide. Details here: roundtable.org/live-courses... @histassoc.bsky.social @amiemathematics.bsky.social @folger.edu

roundtable.org

Shakespeare’s Numbers: Mathematics in the Elizabethan World

Join award-winning author Rob Eastaway for a lively exploration of the mathematics of Shakespeare's England, packed with fascinating historical nuggets and quotations. Discover how mathematics shaped ...

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Maths Inspiration @mathsinspiration.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Our first autumn show was about the role maths plays in civil engineering, hosted by Aoife Hunt who introduced talks from three inspirational young engineers. The audience of Year 12s loved it. Our thanks to the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) for their support.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Maths, Shakespeare and Elizabethan History in the West End! On 19th Nov I'm doing my one hour 'Much Ado About Numbers' show at the delightful Club for Acts & Actors in Covent Garden. Tickets are just £12 for non-members, details of the show and booking below. www.eventbrite.com/e/much-ado-a...

eventbrite.com

Much Ado about Numbers

“Brilliantly informative, witty and engaging. Stellar!” Patrick Spottiswoode, founder of Shakespeare’s Globe Education

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The current #EngPak Test at Edgbaston is reminiscent of the famous 1981 Ashes match at Headingley. The odds on a Pakistan win have soared from 200:1 an hour ago to about 10:1 now. Incredible.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

I'm doing some general public Maths & Shakespeare talks this autumn: 28th Sept - U3A Wanstead redbridge.u3asite.uk/u3a_events/m... 7th Oct - Manchester Lit & Phil www.manlitphil.ac.uk/events/much-... 19th Nov - Artists & Actors Club, Covent Garden www.eventbrite.com/e/much-ado-a...

redbridge.u3asite.uk

Much Ado About Numbers - Redbridge & District

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

It was an amazing experience to play cricket at the stunning first class ground at Arundel Castle yesterday. Not so amazing was being smashed around the ground by a top class batter on a lightning fast outfield. I thought I bowled OK. The figures suggest otherwise 😬

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

eventbrite.com

Much Ado about Numbers

“Brilliantly informative, witty and engaging. Stellar!” Patrick Spottiswoode, founder of Shakespeare’s Globe Education

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Many sixth formers studying maths want a career that involves helping the environment and working with people. Few of them think of civil engineering as an option. On 18th Sept we're putting on a special Maths Inspiration show about this very topic. Aoife Hunt hosts three great young speakers.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Well I've now seen The Odyssey. It was slightly spoiled by the fact that every time Odysseus told his soldiers to run away, all I could think of was Monty Python and the Holy Grail www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FPE....

youtube.com

monty python the holy grail Run away

YouTube video by BeautyWillSaveUs00

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Astonishing that the happenings at a small cricket club in Durham are getting more coverage than England’s £multi-million cricket circus called #TheHundred - even the NY Times has picked it up: www.nytimes.com/athletic/747...

nytimes.com

‘Clicky Ponting’: How a cricketer snapping his fingers sparked a global sporting scandal

Online sleuths have exposed apparent cheating in an amateur cricket league, sparking widespread outrage

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Are you interested in how maths and history connect? On Oct 23rd I'm co-presenting a session with Tom Briggs at #BCME10 on how the two subjects can enrich each other. @tombriggs.bsky.social. www.bcme.co.uk/programme-v2...

bcme.co.uk

British Congress of Mathematics Education 10 | Programme

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Is there enough pub capacity in England for watching tomorrow's match? I discuss on this evening's BBC Radio 4 PM. My back of envelope research: at lunch I checked 8 local pubs*: 7 will show the football, most are fully booked. Visibility of screen is a limiting factor. *pub crawl with no beer!

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

If you need cheering up, listen to this. I heard a sixth former play a saxophone version of it at a school prize-giving event last night, and was humming it all the way home. [Apologies, the ads at the start won't cheer you up] www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj35...

youtube.com

Darius Milhaud - Suíte scaramouche - 3º mov. Brazileira (Duo Pace Roma, 2 pianos)

YouTube video by Instituto Piano Brasileiro - IPB

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

What if....? (image courtesy ChatGPT)

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Who needs arithmetic when everyone now has instant access to calculators and AI? Actually we all do, if we want to make sense of the figures being thrown at us. My article for AB Magazine about why numeracy skills are still a great asset. abmagazine.accaglobal.com/global/artic...

abmagazine.accaglobal.com

Maths will always matter

Accountants’ natural numeracy stands them in good stead in the age of automation

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Maths Inspiration @mathsinspiration.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

On 18 Sept 2:15-3:30pm we're putting on a Year 12 show in Dulwich called 'The Civil Engineering Show'. It'll be FREE. It's not part of the formal MI programme, we won't put it on the website, but if you think your school might want to come email sarahATstandupmathsDOTcom to register your interest.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

In what might be a first for maths communication, on 1st August I'll be a plenary speaker at a national Shakespeare conference - next to Sydney Harbour Bridge! Alas they have no travel budget so I'll be presenting online at midnight from my kitchen. www.bellshakespeare.com.au/2026-nationa...

bellshakespeare.com.au

2026 National Teacher Conference Sessions

Jjackstarkey-gill THE CLASSROOM VOICE Friday 31 July, 9:15 -10:15am Jack Starkey-Gill Voice Director, Bell Shakespeare What happens when a…

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Thrilled that I’ve been offered a ticket for the World Cup final!!! Now I just need to sort transport. (I’m talking about the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s tomorrow, of course.)

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

At a teacher conference in Blackburn this morning I revealed the secret of how ANY CHILD can become one of THE TOP 1% MATHEMATICIANS in the country. Spoiler alert - all they have to do is travel back 450 years to the time of Elizabeth I.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

At 2pm on Tuesday 7th July I'm doing a Much Ado talk for the general public, at the wonderful Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot near Liverpool. (I'm guessing a mainly adult audience, though it's advertised for "age 8+"). shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk/event/much-a...

shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk

Much Ado About Numbers | Shakespeare North Playhouse

In this highly acclaimed tour and talk, award-winning author Rob Eastaway reveals the surprising connections between Shakespeare and the fascinating world of numbers.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk

Much Ado About Numbers | Shakespeare North Playhouse

In this highly acclaimed tour and talk, award-winning author Rob Eastaway reveals the surprising connections between Shakespeare and the fascinating world of numbers.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Yesterday I did a Y9/10 show about game theory. I talked about penalty-taking and how strikers should aim straight more often. Last night 22 penalties were taken in the #WorldCup. Only 12 of them were scored, 4 saved, 6 missed the target! Not one was aimed straight. robeastaway.com/blog/penalty...

robeastaway.com

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Back in 2022, I wrote a blog criticising FIFA's decision to increase the number of playing nations from 32 to 48 in the USA tournament. My opinion hasn't changed. #WorldCup robeastaway.com/blog/world-c...

robeastaway.com

Rob Eastaway

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Coming to Leeds very soon - replicas of John Venn's incredible bowling machine, first tested out on the touring Australian Ashes team in 1909. It's part of the City of Maths programme. www.cityofmaths.co.uk/whats-on/bow...

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

A More or Less listener asked: "How many football pitches could you fit in Wales?" I was on this morning's programme to answer this surprisingly nuanced question. Item starts at 24:00 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

bbc.co.uk

More or Less - Debunking the claim that migrants will get half of new homes - BBC Sounds

Tim Harford investigates migration and housing, Welsh literacy, and bond market drama.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

bbc.co.uk

More or Less - Debunking the claim that migrants will get half of new homes - BBC Sounds

Tim Harford investigates migration and housing, Welsh literacy, and bond market drama.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Ouch - this is what can happen when you try to catch a hard red ball and fail. But at least the sit in A&E has given me a chance to finish the excellent biography of Thomas Harriot, the greatest English mathematician that nobody's ever heard of.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Imagine if numeracy were taught in history lessons. So many great stories about how and why the Tudors switched from Roman to Indo Arabic numerals. Here's the GCSE 'exam' that we circulated at the recent @histassoc.bsky.social conference: robeastaway.com/graphics/GCS... #NationalNumeracyDay

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Last weekend, three mathematicians set up a history stall at the annual @histassoc.bsky.social conference. Here's what happened next robeastaway.com/blog/history...

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Artemis / Enheduanna @artemisenheduanna.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

I bloody love this!! As a tutor of both history and maths it's just brilliant.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

And finally, here's Section B for my imagined History of Maths GCSE (Elizabethan England). Remember it's just a thought experiment. There are five questions across two pages. Oh, and the answers to Section A were: 1(c) 2(b). 3(a). 4(d). 5(c). 6(d)

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Here is the first section of the History of Mathematics GCSE (Elizabethan England paper) that I announced yesterday. This is the ‘quickie’ section, with six multiple choice questions. I’ll publish the answers tomorrow morning, along with the meatier Section B. You may now turn over...

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

What if there were a GCSE for History of Mathematics? I've been imagining the Elizabethan England module and will be handing out a sample exam paper at the @histassoc.bsky.social conference in Gateshead. Below is the cover page. I'll publish Section A tomorrow.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Maths teachers - help! I'm looking for a London school that's interested in hosting a session about maths & Civil Engineering. Details: - A one-hour session with short presentations from 3 young civil engineers and Q&A. - Aimed at Y12s - Late Sept/early Oct ideal Email me if interested.

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Maths Inspiration @mathsinspiration.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

We have an exhibitor stall at the @histassoc.bsky.social conference in Gateshead this weekend, to make the case for bringing History and Maths together. We'll have games, an old timekeeping device, DIY astrolabes, a 16thC map, a quiz with cool prizes, & a workshop from @robeastaway.bsky.social .

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Here's my latest blog about everyday maths in a GP surgery: robeastaway.com/blog/gp-math... Real-world maths isn’t always neat, it's often surrounded by redundant information, uses technical language, and has real consequences if you get it wrong.

robeastaway.com

Rob Eastaway

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

I just 'cold' emailed somebody whose book I'm reading, and began my email: "I’ve just started reading your book and am really enjoying it." After sending the email I realised this is exactly the phrasing that AI-generated phishing emails use. AI sounding human is bad, but the reverse is worse.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

What was numeracy and maths education like 500 years ago? I discussed Shakespeare's mathematical education on the latest episode of the History of European Theatre podcast. www.thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.com/much-ado-abo...

thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.com

Much Ado About Numbers: A Conversation With Rob Eastaway

Episode 214: For today’s guest episode I was pleased to get the chance to talk to Rob Eastaway, author of a book all about Shakespeare and his relationship to numbe…

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

LIV Golf takes its name from the Roman numerals for 54. Originally LIV featured 54 golfers playing 54 holes. Now, exactly 54 months after LIV was first announced, comes the news that Saudi Arabia is going to withdraw its funding. Sporting symmetry. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/a...

bbc.co.uk

LIV Golf: Saudi Arabia to withdraw funding at end of season

Saudi Arabia will withdraw its multi-billion dollar backing of LIV Golf at the end of the season, plunging the future of the series into doubt.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Interesting to read this latest research on mixed attainment classes in maths. Ten years ago we faced a choice as parents between one school with mixed maths sets and one with streaming. I wrote about it in a blog at the time. robeastaway.com/blog/streaming

robeastaway.com

Rob Eastaway

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

What if some maths was formally part of the History curriculum? History gives maths more context and its stories can captivate students. @teakayb.mathstodon.xyz.ap.brid.gy and I are at the @histassoc.bsky.social conference in May, aiming to talk to hundreds of history teachers. www.haconference.com

haconference.com

Historical Association Conference 2026

Join historians, teachers and history enthusiasts for two days of discussion, debate and professional learning in Newcastle Gateshead on 15 and 16 May 2026.

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Very happy for Much Ado to be regarded as a history book. My dream is for it to be on the reading list for GCSE History (Elizabethan England)

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

The paperback of Much Ado About Numbers is published in the USA today, Shakespeare's birthday. Fun fact: Chapter 9 reveals that Shakespeare probably used an early pencil - but it was not "2B", it was probably a "9B" on the graphite scale. @folger.edu bookshop.org/p/books/much...

bookshop.org

Much Ado About Numbers: Shakespeare's Mathematical Life and Times

Shakespeare's Mathematical Life and Times

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

In July treat your Year 9s, 10s or 12s to an interactive Much Ado About Numbers show at: - Shakespeare North (nr Liverpool) - Alleyns Theatre (Dulwich). English teacher: “I’ve never seen so many Year 9 students engaged in Shakespeare AND Maths". Details here: mathsinspiration.com/much-ado-sum...

mathsinspiration.com

Maths Inspiration - Much Ado About Numbers - Summer 2026

Much Ado About Numbers - Summer 2026

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Rob Eastaway @robeastaway.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

In 1909, John Venn (the diagram guy) invented a machine that can bowl googlies. Matt Parker and I tested out a replica built by engineers at Cambridge University. youtu.be/2E424Itot8s

youtu.be

MP^2 | John Venn (of the diagrams) also made terrifying cricket equipment

YouTube video by Matt_Parker_2

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