Matt Parker

Matthew Thomas Parker (born December 22, 1980) is an Australian-born recreational mathematician, stand-up comedian, bestselling author, and science communicator residing in the United Kingdom. Widely known by his online handle Stand-up Maths, Parker has spent over a decade popularizing mathematics through engaging live performances, viral digital videos, and media appearances. He is a prominent contributor to Brady Haran's popular Numberphile YouTube channel and co-hosts the comedic problem-solving podcast A Problem Squared alongside Australian comedian Bec Hill.

Early Life and Education

Born in Perth, Western Australia, Parker grew up in the suburb of Duncraig and developed a keen interest in mathematics and physical sciences during his youth. He attended the University of Western Australia, where he initially pursued mechanical engineering before earning his Bachelor of Science degree in physics and applied mathematics. During his university years, he discovered a passion for comedy, contributing humorous pieces to the student publication Pelican and enrolling in a stand-up comedy course. After graduating, he worked as a secondary school mathematics teacher in Australia before relocating to London to continue his teaching career in the United Kingdom.

Career and Content Creation

Parker launched his signature YouTube channel, Stand-up Maths (@standupmaths), in September 2009. The channel features humorous yet educational explorations of mathematical concepts, geometric anomalies, coding quirks, and real-world calculation errors, attracting more than 1.35 million subscribers. Beyond digital media, Parker is an acclaimed author. His 2019 book, Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World, became the first mathematics title to reach number one on the Sunday Times bestseller list in the UK. He followed this success with Love Triangle: The Life-Changing Magic of Trigonometry, which earned New York Times bestseller status. Parker also tours live stand-up comedy routines across the UK, including his show Getting Triggy With It.

Personal Life and Recognition

Parker resides in Godalming, Surrey, United Kingdom. In July 2014, he married British solar physicist and television presenter Lucie Green. In recognition of his outstanding achievements in public engagement with mathematics, Parker was awarded the prestigious Christopher Zeeman Medal in 2020 by the London Mathematical Society and the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. In 2025, Asteroid 314159 was officially named "Mattparker" in honor of his dedicated efforts in popularizing science and mathematics worldwide.