How do you get a PhD in fluid mechanics?

(link updated March 2023)

Kat Phillips is studying for a PhD in fluid mechanics at the University of Bath, researching a phenomenon known as bouncing droplets. As well as this (and a bewildering array of other interests) she also regularly streams on Twitch! In this video I spend a couple of days with Kat, learning about her studies, as well as her outreach that encourages more women to get engaged with mathematics.

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This video is about KatDoesMaths, who is at grad school at the University of Bath, studying a PhD in math. She studies fluid mechanics, researching how fluid droplets behave at small scales using mathematical methods. This PhD vlog is about Kat's research and also her outreach, streaming on twitch talking about maths. We talk about the navier stokes equation, pilot wave theory, faraday waves, and how much of a terrible stream guest I am.

Huge thanks to my supporters on Patreon: Kent & Krista Halloran, Rapssack, Kevin O'Connor, Timo Kerremans, Thines Ganeshamoorthy, Jerry Moore, Sam Harvey (the ever lasting student), Ashley Wilkins, Michael Parmenter, Samuel Baumgartner, Dan Sherman, ST0RMW1NG 1, Adrian Sand, Morten Engsvang, Josh Schiager, Farsight101, K.L, poundedjam, Felix Freiberger, Chris Field, Robert Connell, Jaime Stark, Kolbrandr, , Sebastain Graf, Dan Nelson, Shane O'Brien, Alex, Fujia Li, Harry Eakins, Cody VanZandt, Jesper Koed, Jonathan Craske, Albrecht Striffler, Jon Sjöberg, Igor Francetic, Jack Troup, SexyCaveman , James Munro, Oskar Hellström, Sean Richards, Kedar , Alastair Fortune, bitreign33 , Mat Allen, Anne Smith, Rafaela Corrêa Pereira, Colin J. Brown, Princess Andromeda, Aron Kári Ágústsson, Leighton Mackenzie, BenDent, Thusto , Andy Hartley, Lachlan Woods, Tim Boxall, Dan Hanvey, Simon Donkers, Kodzo , James Bridges, Liam , Andrea De Mezzo, Wendover Productions, Kendra Johnson.

[mastershooter]

"You can't do abstract math for no reason anymore"

Every single mathematician working on pure mathematics: *BRUH*

[luisangelgermaneumana]

Hey Simon! I recently moved from Mexico to Germany to study my master's, and re-watching your old PhD vlogs actually help a lot to not feel lonely in this academic path haha. These PhD stories are awesome as well, I hope you are going well man, cheers!

[Rjkilcoyne]

What Kat was saying about the pipeline drop off of women in academia is the topic of the research I am doing currently :D if I ever get it finished and published I would love for you guys to read it!

[yanononopon]

So interesting, I'm starting my PhD in fluid dynamics in January, love this video :)

[ProjectPhysX]

Ever since I first saw a drop just resting on the water surface in the bath tub as child, I'm fascinated by that effect. Pilot wave theory even more blew my mind in physics bachelors. I'm now finishing my PhD in computational fluid dynamics, simulating raindrop impacts. The fascination about the science never lets go of you.

[janMelantu]

“Imagine if the atmosphere was viscous” truly a cursed thought

[scottrobinson]

This is a really cool series, Simon. Thanks for making it.

I'm a first-year PhD in Astrophysics, only about 4 weeks in to my PhD.
I've been following your videos for about 9 years now (since the Oxford days), and I can say that you definitely had an influence on my decision to undertake this PhD journey.

[douglaslloyd]

It was great bumping into you on campus! Really enjoying this series :))

[PeterReidUK]

Such a great video, and well articulated too for the layman amongst us. Great job Kat and Simon. Such a lovely story, the passion really shines through. P.S. Can you not make me cry with your videos please

[barborahalova]

This was epic to watch being a BSc Physics student just dipping (pun intended) my toes into fluid mechanics for a first time. Thank you both!

[jameslee]

As a PhD student its so interesting to see the research people in completely different fields are doing to. Looking forward to more of these soon!

[idraote]

"You can't do abstract math for no reason anymore"
This sounds so innocuous but it really isn't. There is something called pure research that doesn't really have immediate benefits but is really essential when thinking about the future.
Good ideas don't rain out of the sky like droplets on a puddle.

[almostthefool]

7.17 "the atmosphere is inviscid"

*cries in turbulence*

Another fascinating video though!

[MrSam]

This was great. Who knew there was more to maths than just maths

[eggi]

she's such an inspiration to me. there are almost no girls in my physics classes and the "casual misogyny" that happens all the time can be tiring sometimes so this was really refreshing

[DemetriPanici]

This is something that seems to be crazy hard to learn! I had never heard of fluid mechanics prior to this

[hiiamchloe]

Its great to see people in academia who understand why outreach is so important but also really enjoy doing it!

[eitanweiss]

I love this
So happy u made a new video!!

[KakarotM]

Planning to do a PhD in Convective heat transfer (fluid mechanics with temperature gradient). Fluid mechanics is every where 🔥🔥🔥

[DrWillWood]

Very interesting! She's going to smash that PhD out the park. In my 2nd year I was still running around screaming what the heck am I meant to be doing!