Interview with Dustin Clausen

Dustin Clausen is an associate professor in Copenhagen university, working in algebraic K-theory, homotopy theory and number theory. In this interview, Dustin shares controversial opinions on publishing and grant system, tells about his view on leaving academia, and reproduces very vividly a Tarantino style plot of an interrogation in Moscow, for stealing cookies! P.S. Dustin would like to assure the viewers that he did not steal any cookies. 

Dustin's homepage: https://www.math.ku.dk/english/staff/faculty/?pure=en%2Fpersons%2F467008
Photo: from Copenhagen University webpage

0:00​ teasing teaser
0:40​ French high school shock
5:04​ being grandson of John Tate
8:00​ doubts about academic career
9:38​ alternative career options
11:01​ opinions too negative to share
13:41​ disappointments of grad school
15:01​ giving a satisfying math talk is impossible
17:01​ decision to stay in academia
19:56​ publishing is a rotten enterprise
23:51​ struggles of refereeing 
26:27​ mistakes in talks and papers
31:10​ my first impression of Dustin
33:17​ numbers and homotopies
36:25​ Mike Hopkins is the best
40:40​ Jacob Lurie as PhD advisor
44:11​ not understanding is great
47:44​ reading and writing math papers
51:17​ “Math in Moscow”: thrilling story
57:00​ doing math when you have babies
59:04​ distributing grants equally
01:01:02​ how to not be afraid of job market
01:03:18​ funny reaction to saying you’re doing math
01:05:23​ kind words for those who feel demotivated