“Mathematics is all around us, from AI models and how cryptocurrencies work to how infectious diseases spread. There’s so much experimentation and innovation in mathematics,” Cepelewicz shared, adding that journalists don’t need a strong mathematical background to incorporate mathematics into their articles.
What is mathematical journalism?
Mathematical papers aren't written as frequently, but that's not because of a lack of content. “Mathematics is a very active field of study. That means there are a lot of discoveries happening, and they are exciting, engaging, and important,” Cepelewicz says. She lists three main types of mathematical journalism: explanatory, data investigation, and reportage.
Mathematics is present in every aspect of social life, yet it is rarely mentioned in the press. (Illustration: GI)
Explanatory papers are used to contextualize and clarify mathematical problems in everyday and real -world applications. For example, what mathematical models were used by epidemiologists to determine the number of infections and the rate of transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Meanwhile, investigative journalism based on mathematical data allows journalists to draw conclusions or create a story from data patterns. For example, a journalist might look at data from an environmental protection agency to find out about cancer patterns in different polluted areas or how migration flows are affected by climate change.
Finally, the mathematical profile press offers insightful perspectives on mathematicians themselves, such as uncovering their often fascinating personal stories or works. Last year, Cepelewicz wrote an article about mathematician Jun Huh, a winner of the prestigious Fields Prize, and described mathematics as an extension of poetry!
Approaches to writing a mathematics paper
It's not difficult for journalists to find a mathematical angle for a story, if they know where to look. "You can extract some mathematical problems from almost anything you're reading or hearing about," Cepelewicz says.
“But how do you come up with a good mathematical idea?” she continued. “You start by asking questions. If you’re hearing about something, pay attention to what sparks your curiosity.”
If the topic is harder to find, Cepelewicz recommends contacting mathematicians and asking them what mathematical topics interest them, what they find interesting right now, even if it might not lead to a story immediately. Cepelewicz also regularly reads mathematicians' blogs or follows them on social media to find sources of story ideas.
She said, “Researching something related to mathematics can feel challenging. I really rely on my interviews to help me understand what my story should be about, and then write it in a way that even readers with no prior knowledge can understand.”
Interviewing mathematicians also allowed Cepelewicz to understand how mathematics solved a particular problem, which can help readers better understand another complex topic.
The fascinating world of mathematical journalism.
Mathematics can be difficult, and understanding the concepts can feel daunting, but talking to several mathematicians about the same topic can be helpful. “I’ve found that mathematicians have different ways of thinking about different concepts,” Cepelewicz says. She finds that mathematicians are largely very patient and willing to explain complex topics.
By incorporating different perspectives into their articles, journalists can improve their understanding of the data, which can then be used to deliver better content to readers. It's also crucial to find reasons why mathematics is interesting and relevant to the reader.
Cepelewicz said it's normal for journalists to feel unprepared for interviews about math-related stories, as much of the material is difficult to analyze for a non-expert. "I ask the simplest questions in every interview I conduct, and that's a very necessary part of the process," she advised.
Despite these challenges, math journalism can still be very rewarding. Cepelewicz says she has met wonderful people and learned a great deal, even though writing math stories is challenging. She has also received positive feedback from readers, who say they appreciate reading more about a topic they previously overlooked and appreciate her efforts.
"Sometimes when I start a story, I can feel overwhelmed by the complexity of things, but as I delve deeper into my research, everything becomes clear and the concepts connect, and that moment is truly satisfying," she shared, encouraging journalists who want to write about mathematics.
Hoang Hai (according to IJNET)
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