Geometric
group theory studies infinite (discrete) groups from the point of view of their geometric properties.
A particularly interesting class of groups are those which share some aspects of negative curvature. Martin Bridson will give an introduction into some of the newer developments in this direction, studying, in particular, special properties of groups which act on spaces of non-positive curvature.
Automorphism groups of free groups do not quite have negative curvature, but other methods from low-dimensional topology are available to study these groups and, in particular, their cohomology. This will be discussed by Karen Vogtman.
A class of groups with rather different properties are the self-similar ones. Laurent Bartholdi will introduce us to tools to study these groups, coming from finite-state automata and actions on trees, and relate them to negatively curved group by explaining exciting CAT(0)-groups constructed
that way by Burger and Mozes.
Intended Audience:
The winter school is designed in particular for graduate students interested in, but not yet very familiar with, geometric group theory. It will also be interesting for students at the advanced pre-doctoral level and for postdocs.
Funding:
Limited funding is available for participants. We ask you to apply for it with an informal registration, indicating also which kind of support you
would need (travel, local expenses)? When registering, you can also ask for help with the accomodation.
Organizers: Graduiertenkolleg "Groups and Geometry", Ralf Meyer, Thomas Schick
First announcement:
International Conference and Workshop on Cluster Algebras and Related Topics.
The conference is devoted to the rapidely developing topic of cluster algebras and the relationship to other areas such as algebraic
combinatorics, representations of quivers, Lie theory, and Geometry.
Organizers: M. Barot, R. Bautista, Ch. Geiss, D. Juan
Scientific Committee: B. Keller, Ch. Geiss, I. Reiten, A. Zelevinsky
Workshop: Morelia, Michocan State, December 8-13, 2008. It will consist of a series of three hour lectures, given by A. Buan (Trondheim), H. Derksen (Ann Arbor), V. Fock (Moscow), B. Leclerc (Caen), M. Shapiro (U. of Michigan), D. Thurston (Columbia), L. Williams (Harvard).
Conference: Mexico-City, December 15-20, 2008.
Dear All,
please find below the web page of the Conference on Character Theory of Finite Groups, in honor of Marty Isaacs, that will take place in June 2009, in Valencia, Spain.