Oberwolfach Seminar: Bounded Cohomology

Date
May 31st - June 6th, 2009
Organizers
Michelle Bucher, Stockholm
Nicolas Monod, Lausanne
Pierre Py, Chicago
Programme
Bounded cohomology of groups and spaces has found many applications in diverse areas, including geometry, topology, representation theory, dynamics, rigidity, ergodic theory, symplectic geometry. The theory itself may feel, at first, a bit exotic as it blends ideas as seemingly different as ergodic theory and homological algebra. The goal of this seminar is to show that in fact bounded cohomology is "user-friendly". The participants will be shown concrete applications, but will also be introduced to the many still mysterious aspects of the theory that need to be explored. The seminar will introductory, with an emphasis on applications and starting from scratch.

Specific topics will include:

The lectures will occupy mornings; the afternoons are dedicated to informal discussions, presentations by participants and problem sessions.

Prerequisites
There are no specific prerequisites. Normal (undergraduate) exposure to functional analysis and to groups will be useful.
Literature
Even though there is a literature on all three mini-courses, we feel that the participants should come empty-handed and open-minded.
Deadline for applications
April 15th, 2009

The seminars take place at the Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach. The number of participants is restricted to 24. The Institute covers accommodation and food. Travel expenses cannot be reimbursed. Applications including

should be sent as hard copy or by e-mail (.ps or .pdf file) to:

    Prof. Dr. Gert-Martin Greuel
    Universität Kaiserslautern
    Fachbereich Mathematik
    Erwin Schrödingerstr.
    67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
    


Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach   updated: December 9th, 2008