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 general context
• Characteristic classes and inequalities à la Milnor
• Quasi-morphisms in symplectic geometry

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

• full name and address, including e-mail address
• present position, university
• name of supervisor of Ph.D. thesis
• a short summary of previous work and interest

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