In recent years, a tend of higher category theory is growing from multiple areas of research throughout mathematics, physics and theoretical computer science. Guided by Cobordism Hypothesis, I would like to introduce some basics of `higher representation theory’, i.e. the part of higher category theory where we focus on the fundamental objects: `finite dimensional’ linear n-categories. If time permits, I will also introduce some recent progress in linear higher categories and motivations from condensed matter physics.

We present a new approach to the gluing problem in General Relativity, that is, the problem of matching two solutions of the Einstein equations along a spacelike or characteristic (null) hypersurface. In contrast to previous constructions, the new perspective actively utilizes the nonlinearity of the constraint equations. As a result, we are able to remove the 10-dimensional spaces of obstructions to gluing present in the literature. As application, we show that any asymptotically flat spacelike initial data set can be glued to Schwarzschild initial data of sufficiently large mass. This is joint work with I. Rodnianski.

In this talk I will discuss well-posedness of hyperbolic Cauchy problems with multiplicities and the role played by the lower order terms (Levi conditions). I will present results obtained in collaboration with Christian Jäh (Göttingen) and Michael Ruzhansky (QMUL/Ghent) on higher order equations and non-diagonalisable systems.

Persistent homology is both a powerful framework for data science and a fruitful source of mathematical questions. Here, we will give an introduction to both single-parameter and multiparameter persistent homology. We will see some examples of how topology has been successfully applied to the real world, and also explore some of the pure-mathematical ideas that arise from this new perspective.

Separability is an algebraic property enjoyed by certain subsets of groups. In the world of non-positively curved groups, it has a not-too-well-understood link to geometric properties such as convexity. We explore this connection in the setting of relatively hyperbolic groups and discuss a recent joint work in this area involving products of quasiconvex subgroups.

So-called Schauder estimates are a standard tool in the analysis of linear elliptic and parabolic PDE. They have been originally obtained by Hopf (1929, interior case), and by Schauder and Caccioppoli (1934, global estimates). The nonlinear case is a more recent achievement from the ’80s (Giaquinta & Giusti, Ivert, Lieberman, Manfredi). All these classical results hold in the uniformly elliptic framework. I will present the solution to the longstanding problem, open since the ‘70s, of proving estimates of such kind in the nonuniformly elliptic setting. I will also cover the case of nondifferentiable functionals and provide a complete regularity theory for a new double phase model. From joint work with Giuseppe Mingione (University of Parma).

We review a few instances in which the first $\ell^2$ Betti number of a group is a profinite invariant and we discuss some applications and open problems.

We survey the theory of $\ell^2$-invariants, their applications in group theory and topology, and introduce a positive characteristic version of $\ell^2$-theory. We also discuss the Atiyah and Lück approximation conjectures, two of the central problems in this area.

Profinite rigidity is essentially the study of which groups can be distinguished from each other by their finite quotients. This talk is meant to give a gentle introduction to the area - I will explain which questions are the right ones to ask and give an overview of some of the main results in the field. I will assume knowledge of what a group presentation is.