The Real YouQ
Cakes, bread rolls and pi: meet maths lecturer and amateur baker Poh Wah Hillock
"I love connecting with my students, learning their stories, witnessing their growth and sharing their triumphs and challenges. It is an amazing privilege to be part of their life journey."
Welcome to The Real YouQ, the latest Contact Q&A series offering a glimpse into the real lives of members of the UQ community – from alumni to students and staff.
For over a decade, Dr Poh Wah Hillock has helped more than 20,000 students unravel complex mathematical concepts in a way that’s easy to understand and ignites excitement – even if it means plying them with baked goods.
Her personalised approach to supporting first-year students was formally recognised in 2022 when she was named Australia's University Teacher of the Year.
Watch the video
But who is the real Poh Wah Hillock away from the mathematical equations and baking utensils?
Keep scrolling to find out.
Q: What is your favourite UQ memory?
A: Surprising my students with homemade pi cakes on 14 March (3.14) a couple of years ago. To add some mathematical spice, I threw in a pi problem: work out 4 times of
The idea of calculating a sum that goes on forever didn’t appeal to my students, but the pi cakes? They were an instant hit!
It was a pi day to remember, filled with sweetness and a sprinkle of mathematical fun!
Dr Hillock's pi cakes, which she baked to add a sprinkle of fun to her mathematics class earlier this year.
Q: Is there a place you feel most connected to on campus and why?
A: Room 442 in the Priestley building (67) holds a special place in my heart. Back in 2012, I organised my first Support Learning Tutorial (SLT) for at-risk math students there. My SLT students and I met every week for 13 weeks. Together, we worked hard at the maths, providing mutual encouragement and support. The bond that developed among us created a genuine sense of camaraderie and togetherness. Since that inaugural SLT, I've continued offering the SLT every semester in 67-442. I often think about who sat where in the room, and wonder where life has taken them.
Q: Looking back to the day you first set foot on campus, is there anything you wish to tell that person now?
A: I nervously first stepped onto UQ's St Lucia campus in January 2012 for an interview with Tony Roberts for a casual tutoring position in the maths department. It was my first job interview after 12 years of raising a young family, and the nerves were palpable. Tony offered me the job (thank you, Tony!), and I’m still here – more than a decade later. If I could go back in time and share a piece of wisdom with that person, I'd say: “Don't be afraid. Life is full of surprises; there are amazing individuals like Tony out there who are willing to take a chance on you. Have the courage to take that first step – it could open the door to a world of opportunities.”
Q: What’s the one fact that people wouldn’t know about you?
A: I am a Scrabble enthusiast. When I can’t find an opponent, I’ll literally play against myself: Poh1 vs Poh2. I love the thrill of rearranging tiles to form words. Forming 7-letter words is the sweetest victory!
Q: Is there a skill you wish you had learnt, or one that you are currently trying to master?
A: Despite my years of experience at bread-making, I’ve never been able to master the art of making fluffy bread rolls. They’re either too dense or too crusty; my husband lovingly calls them 'killer rolls'.
Q: What are 3 things you can’t live without?
A: My children: Elinor, Ian and Peter.
Q: What are you currently reading?
A: I haven’t had a lot of time to read lately, but nestled on my bookshelf are 2 gems: Professor Stewart's Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities and Professor Stewart's Hoard of Mathematical Treasures. The books contain short, snappy sections with catchy headings, such as 'Why toast always falls buttered-side down', 'Leaning tower of Pizza', and 'The largest number is 42'. I love turning to a random page and seeing what quirky and magical maths awaits me.
Q: Who are your real-life heroes?
A: My real-life heroes are my students – extraordinary individuals whose stories of resilience, grit, and determination are a great inspiration. Among them, there are those navigating the challenges of university studies despite learning disabilities, parents balancing caregiving responsibilities with academic pursuits, and students confronting significant health challenges who battle on regardless. I am particularly moved by a student who ventured far from home, his journey made possible by the efforts of villagers in his impoverished community pooling their resources. Equally memorable is a student who overcame significant financial obstacles, initially unable to afford a train ticket to get to campus.
Q: What drew you towards teaching?
A: I love the challenge of unravelling complex mathematical concepts and presenting them to my students in a way that ignites their understanding and excitement. It’s incredibly rewarding when that magical 'aha' moment lights up their faces. I also love connecting with my students, learning their stories, witnessing their growth and sharing their triumphs and challenges. It is an amazing privilege to be part of their life journey.
Q: Who was the teacher that changed your life?
A: Paul Scott, my geometry lecturer and PhD supervisor at The University of Adelaide, made a big impact on me. Beyond the formulas and proofs, Paul taught me that teaching is, at its core, a human interaction. Paul’s wonderful sense of humour broke down barriers and endeared him to his students.
Dr Hillock's pi cakes, which she baked to add a sprinkle of fun to her mathematics class earlier this year.
Dr Hillock's pi cakes, which she baked to add a sprinkle of fun to her mathematics class earlier this year.
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