Is doing research in mathematics a creative process? When mathematicians talk of their subject as beautiful, what do they mean? What are their motivations? Their dreams? Their disappointments?

These themes are explored in this collection of short films. Produced by Chrystal Cherniwchan, Azita Ghassemi and Professor Jon Keating, and funded by a grant from the University of Bristol Alumni Fund, the films are part of the Mathematical Ethnographies Project.

The focus is not on mathematics, but on the people who create and teach mathematics - on mathematicians.

Are mathematicians creative?

Is a mathematical proof beautiful?

False trails

Moment of truth

Some random thoughts