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