Updated: 25/10/26

Sam Gunatilleke's Homepage

I am a second-year PhD student at the University of Durham, in the Department of Mathematics. I am a part of the Mathematical Physics group, and I generally work in the intersection of generalised symmetries and homotopy theory/higher category theory.

Previously I was an undergraduate and master's student at the University of Oxford (St John's college) and I have worked as an online tutor for maths and physics. I also lived in Athens (Greece) for two years after graduating from Oxford.

Alongside my studies/research, I try to maintain a small YouTube channel along with a mathematical dictionary.

My (wide and somewhat unfocussed) interests are based in the mathematical foundations of physics and generalised symmetries, especially algebraic topology and higher category theory in the context of physics.

Academic Biography (In Reverse Order)

• From October 2025: PhD in Mathematical Physics at The University of Durham under the supervision of Mathew Bullimore.
• June 2023-September 2025: Independent learning and research with a focus on quantum field theory, deformation quantization, and homological algebra.
• 2018-23: MMathPhys at the St John's College, University of Oxford: First class (Parts A&B MPhys) with Distinction (Part C MMathPhys)
• 2018: A-levels at Torquay Boys' Grammar School. Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Further Additional Maths (AS).