Junior Algebra and Representation Theory Seminar

Mapping class groups arise in an elementary way in the study of surfaces, and their properties are used in many areas of group theory and low-dimensional topology. This talk will be an introduction to the study of mapping class groups, in particular via a geometric space known as the curve complex. This approach is classical and yields strong properties and a deep understanding of mapping class groups. In the second half of the talk, we will discuss a broadening of this construction to a family of groups known as Artin groups, whose properties are still very mysterious and are the subject of an active area of research.

Junior Algebra & Representation Theory end of term social will happen in the Quillen Room at 12pm on Friday