IP sets, recurrence, and polynomials

I will discuss the many appearances of the class of IP sets in classical theorems of combinatorial number theory and ergodic theory. Our point of departure will be the celebrated theorem of Hindman on partition regularity of IP sets, which is crucial for the introduction of IP-limits. We then discuss how existence of certain IP-limits translates into recurrence statements, which in turn give rise to results in number theory via the Furstenberg correspondence principle. Throughout the talk, the methods of ergodic theory will play an important role - however, no prior familiarity with them is required.