Flocking together: the physics of sheep herding and pedestrian flows

Physics World Stories Podcast

In this episode of Physics World Stories, host Andrew Glester shepherds you through the fascinating world of crowd dynamics. While gazing at a flock of sheep or meandering through a busy street, you may not immediately think of the physics at play – but there is much more than you think. Give the episode a listen to discover the surprising science behind how animals and people move together in large groups.

The first guest, Philip Ball, a UK-based science writer, explores the principles that underpin the movement of sheep in flocks. Insights from physics can even be used to inform herding tactics, whereby dogs are guided – usually through whistles – to control flocks of sheep and direct them towards a chosen destination. For even more detail, check out Ball’s recent Physics World feature ‘Field work – the physics of sheep, from phase transitions to collective motion’.

Next, Alessandro Corbetta, from Eindhoven University of Technology in The Netherlands, talks about his research on pedestrian flow that won him an Ig Nobel Prize. Corbetta explains how his research field is helping us understand – and manage – the movements of human crowds in bustling spaces such as museums, transport hubs and stadia. Plus, he shares how winning the Ig Nobel has enabled the research to reach a far broader audience than he initially imagined.