Francis Su
@mathyawp.bsky.social
I post mainly about math, and what it means to be human. Professor, writer, truth & grace seeker. Former MAA president. Opinions my own. Book: Mathematics for Human Flourishing (2020) https://amzn.to/3CLGCA5
Reposted by Francis Su
Now *this* is the opinion I've been waiting to hear about The AI Thing - wise and humane as always
September 16, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Now *this* is the opinion I've been waiting to hear about The AI Thing - wise and humane as always
Reposted by Francis Su
A good starting point is @mathyawp.bsky.social’s Mathematics for Human Flourishing
If government believes "math is solved"; if research funders believe "math is solved"; if university administrators believe "math is solved"; if future would-be students believe "math is solved": then it really doesn't matter what the #LLM is capable or not capable of doing. Communicate our value.
September 10, 2026 at 10:14 PM
A good starting point is @mathyawp.bsky.social’s Mathematics for Human Flourishing
I was asked to give the Convocation address this year. Here's what I said to the first-year class at Harvey Mudd College. francissu.substack.com/p/science-in...
Science, in Service of Love
My exhortation to the first-year class at Harvey Mudd College
francissu.substack.com
September 2, 2026 at 3:16 AM
I was asked to give the Convocation address this year. Here's what I said to the first-year class at Harvey Mudd College. francissu.substack.com/p/science-in...
With the start of the semester just a week away, here’s what I decided to say to my upper division math course about how AI will or won’t change what they’re learning…
francissu.substack.com/p/the-enduri...
francissu.substack.com/p/the-enduri...
The Enduring Value of Math, in an Age of AI
Thoughts I’ll share at the start of my upper division math course
francissu.substack.com
August 20, 2026 at 5:35 PM
With the start of the semester just a week away, here’s what I decided to say to my upper division math course about how AI will or won’t change what they’re learning…
francissu.substack.com/p/the-enduri...
francissu.substack.com/p/the-enduri...
A beautiful reflection on what math is about, and how human understanding is formed, even the an age of AI. I plan to assign it as reading in my advanced analysis course this Fall. From my colleague Jon Jacobsen in the Mathematical Intelligencer:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
In Praise of Acoustic Mathematics - The Mathematical Intelligencer
The Mathematical Intelligencer -
link.springer.com
August 10, 2026 at 7:42 PM
A beautiful reflection on what math is about, and how human understanding is formed, even the an age of AI. I plan to assign it as reading in my advanced analysis course this Fall. From my colleague Jon Jacobsen in the Mathematical Intelligencer:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Now that I'm blogging on Substack, I've moved my old posts too, including this blast from the past. I found it helpful for me to re-read as the new school year approaches. "Your accomplishments are not what make you a worthy human being."
The Lesson of Grace in Teaching
from weakness to wholeness, the struggle and the hope
francissu.substack.com
August 9, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Now that I'm blogging on Substack, I've moved my old posts too, including this blast from the past. I found it helpful for me to re-read as the new school year approaches. "Your accomplishments are not what make you a worthy human being."
Reposted by Francis Su
Ted Lasso is back and so is Teaching Like Ted Lasso. Starting the season with the sage Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social @deltadc.bsky.social and I were wowed. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUmS...
Defining Joy with Francis Su
YouTube video by Teaching Like Ted Lasso
www.youtube.com
August 3, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Ted Lasso is back and so is Teaching Like Ted Lasso. Starting the season with the sage Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social @deltadc.bsky.social and I were wowed. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUmS...
I've moved my blog to Substack, and plan to revive my writing. To try out the platform, I posted the Spring 2026 article that I wrote on mathematical joy.
open.substack.com/pub/franciss...
open.substack.com/pub/franciss...
A Meditation on Mathematical Joy
What would a child's book about joy look like? Math might be on every page.
open.substack.com
July 26, 2026 at 11:25 PM
I've moved my blog to Substack, and plan to revive my writing. To try out the platform, I posted the Spring 2026 article that I wrote on mathematical joy.
open.substack.com/pub/franciss...
open.substack.com/pub/franciss...
Awww, Father’s Day card, from N5yo. We do a daily math problem every day
June 22, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Awww, Father’s Day card, from N5yo. We do a daily math problem every day
Didn’t expect to see my book mentioned by David Brooks in this Atlantic essay:
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Something Big Is Happening on Campus
There’s a lot going right at universities, if you’re only willing to see it.
www.theatlantic.com
May 22, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Didn’t expect to see my book mentioned by David Brooks in this Atlantic essay:
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Great meeting with all the good folks of the MAA Rocky Mountain Section. Travis Kowalski sketched this impressive doodle during my talk
April 19, 2026 at 3:13 AM
Great meeting with all the good folks of the MAA Rocky Mountain Section. Travis Kowalski sketched this impressive doodle during my talk
Reposted by Francis Su
What if asking “why” became second nature?
In the latest Virtues & Vocations magazine, Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social reflects on the joy of contemplation—and the kind of thinking that deepens our humanity.
Read more at bit.ly/4mw7U2U
In the latest Virtues & Vocations magazine, Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social reflects on the joy of contemplation—and the kind of thinking that deepens our humanity.
Read more at bit.ly/4mw7U2U
April 17, 2026 at 12:29 PM
What if asking “why” became second nature?
In the latest Virtues & Vocations magazine, Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social reflects on the joy of contemplation—and the kind of thinking that deepens our humanity.
Read more at bit.ly/4mw7U2U
In the latest Virtues & Vocations magazine, Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social reflects on the joy of contemplation—and the kind of thinking that deepens our humanity.
Read more at bit.ly/4mw7U2U
My Flourishing book is on sale at Amazon today, lowest I've ever seen it, so I bought some too, to give away. amzn.to/47qhVZs
Mathematics for Human Flourishing
Amazon.com: Mathematics for Human Flourishing: 9780300258516: Su, Francis, Jackson, Christopher: Books
amzn.to
March 29, 2026 at 4:24 PM
My Flourishing book is on sale at Amazon today, lowest I've ever seen it, so I bought some too, to give away. amzn.to/47qhVZs
Joel was a great host who, because he’d read my work closely, managed to unearth lots of things I’ve never said in an interview before. I think you can tell we both really enjoyed this conversation
This conversation with Dr. Francis Su reminded me that teaching mathematics well is about more than content...it’s about cultivating the kinds of habits and virtues that help people flourish.
Episode live now. 🎧
Listen where you get podcasts or head to buff.ly/qa3KOnT for the audio & show notes.
Episode live now. 🎧
Listen where you get podcasts or head to buff.ly/qa3KOnT for the audio & show notes.
March 16, 2026 at 6:56 AM
Joel was a great host who, because he’d read my work closely, managed to unearth lots of things I’ve never said in an interview before. I think you can tell we both really enjoyed this conversation
Happy Pi Day! Seems a fitting day to share my piece for Virtues & Vocations magazine, entitled "A Meditation on Mathematical Joy". In it, I riff on this idea: what would a children's book about joy look like? socialconcerns.nd.edu/research/vir...
March 14, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Happy Pi Day! Seems a fitting day to share my piece for Virtues & Vocations magazine, entitled "A Meditation on Mathematical Joy". In it, I riff on this idea: what would a children's book about joy look like? socialconcerns.nd.edu/research/vir...
Terrific article describing how AI is changing what coders do.
Coding After Coders: The End of Computer Programming as We Know It
www.nytimes.com
March 13, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Terrific article describing how AI is changing what coders do.
This new book Math Decoded by James Tanton belongs in every math teacher’s book collection. It encourages deep thinking around many natural questions that kids ask about numbers. Book launches this week!
March 13, 2026 at 3:38 AM
This new book Math Decoded by James Tanton belongs in every math teacher’s book collection. It encourages deep thinking around many natural questions that kids ask about numbers. Book launches this week!
Up early Monday morning at #JMM2026? Come to this breakfast at 7:30-9:00am: The AMS Committee on Engagement, Participation, and Advancement on Fostering Representation in Mathematics: Community Strategies, Discussion, and Continental Breakfast. Marquis Salon 2, Marriott Marquis
January 5, 2026 at 7:07 AM
Up early Monday morning at #JMM2026? Come to this breakfast at 7:30-9:00am: The AMS Committee on Engagement, Participation, and Advancement on Fostering Representation in Mathematics: Community Strategies, Discussion, and Continental Breakfast. Marquis Salon 2, Marriott Marquis
Reposted by Francis Su
Hey #JMM2026 find me wandering around or at the Monday night Knitting Circle if you want to crochet a square based on a cellular automaton for a math/art/community exhibit www.grannylifecrochet.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:20 AM
Hey #JMM2026 find me wandering around or at the Monday night Knitting Circle if you want to crochet a square based on a cellular automaton for a math/art/community exhibit www.grannylifecrochet.com
Some events I’ll be speaking at #JMM2026:
J. Sutherland Frame Lecture: “100 Years of Sperner’s Lemma: Proofs, Generalizations, and Applications”, Sunday 2:10pm - 3:00pm, Ballroom A.
I promise it will be a fun talk. And…
J. Sutherland Frame Lecture: “100 Years of Sperner’s Lemma: Proofs, Generalizations, and Applications”, Sunday 2:10pm - 3:00pm, Ballroom A.
I promise it will be a fun talk. And…
January 2, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Some events I’ll be speaking at #JMM2026:
J. Sutherland Frame Lecture: “100 Years of Sperner’s Lemma: Proofs, Generalizations, and Applications”, Sunday 2:10pm - 3:00pm, Ballroom A.
I promise it will be a fun talk. And…
J. Sutherland Frame Lecture: “100 Years of Sperner’s Lemma: Proofs, Generalizations, and Applications”, Sunday 2:10pm - 3:00pm, Ballroom A.
I promise it will be a fun talk. And…
Reposted by Francis Su
Francis Su, Harvey Mudd College, will give the Pi Mu Epsilon (PME) J. Sutherland Frame Lecture at #JMM2026 on “100 Years of Sperner's Lemma: Proofs, Generalizations, and Applications." buff.ly/190QBLP
September 15, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Francis Su, Harvey Mudd College, will give the Pi Mu Epsilon (PME) J. Sutherland Frame Lecture at #JMM2026 on “100 Years of Sperner's Lemma: Proofs, Generalizations, and Applications." buff.ly/190QBLP
Reposted by Francis Su
We have a matching gift!
With your help, we can #UnlockPotential and change the trajectory of a person's life. A $20 donation buys the first geometry set an incarcerated learner has ever had.
Today, your gift is worth DOUBLE.
prisonmathproject.org/donate
With your help, we can #UnlockPotential and change the trajectory of a person's life. A $20 donation buys the first geometry set an incarcerated learner has ever had.
Today, your gift is worth DOUBLE.
prisonmathproject.org/donate
December 2, 2025 at 3:51 PM
We have a matching gift!
With your help, we can #UnlockPotential and change the trajectory of a person's life. A $20 donation buys the first geometry set an incarcerated learner has ever had.
Today, your gift is worth DOUBLE.
prisonmathproject.org/donate
With your help, we can #UnlockPotential and change the trajectory of a person's life. A $20 donation buys the first geometry set an incarcerated learner has ever had.
Today, your gift is worth DOUBLE.
prisonmathproject.org/donate
This Giving Tuesday, if you’re looking for an initiative that can really use your support, consider giving to this project that will help LA area math teachers and improve the math preparation of students, through the terrific work of the The UCLA Curtis Center:
crowdfunding.ucla.edu/project/47891
crowdfunding.ucla.edu/project/47891
The Modern Math Teacher Circle Initiative
Help UCLA raise $7,500 for the project: The Modern Math Teacher Circle Initiative. Your gift will make a difference!
crowdfunding.ucla.edu
December 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
This Giving Tuesday, if you’re looking for an initiative that can really use your support, consider giving to this project that will help LA area math teachers and improve the math preparation of students, through the terrific work of the The UCLA Curtis Center:
crowdfunding.ucla.edu/project/47891
crowdfunding.ucla.edu/project/47891
I enjoyed this thoughtful conversation with English professor Wesley Beal. Asking big questions doesn’t have to be limited to the humanities.
open.spotify.com/episode/1KV9...
open.spotify.com/episode/1KV9...
Liberal Arts Experience | A Pod-series
www.lyon.edu
November 17, 2025 at 5:16 PM
I enjoyed this thoughtful conversation with English professor Wesley Beal. Asking big questions doesn’t have to be limited to the humanities.
open.spotify.com/episode/1KV9...
open.spotify.com/episode/1KV9...