Thu, 22 May 2025
16:00
Lecture Room 4

Mordell–Weil groups of elliptic curves — beyond ranks

Alex Bartel
(University of Glasgow)
Abstract

If $E/\mathbb{Q}$ is an elliptic curve, and $F/\mathbb{Q}$ is a finite Galois extension, then $E(F)$ is not merely a finitely generated abelian group, but also a Galois module. If we fix a finite group $G$, and let $F$ vary over all $G$-extensions, then what can we say about the statistical behaviour of $E(F)$ as a $\mathbb{Z}[G]$-module? In this talk I will report on joint work with Adam Morgan, in which we investigate the simplest non-trivial special case of this very general question. Our work has surprising connections to questions about frequency of failure of the Hasse principle for genus 1 hyperelliptic curves, and to work of Heath-Brown on 2-Selmer group distributions in quadratic twist families.

We've some end of term presents to (almost) give out

Our old stock merchandise is going on sale

Next Thursday, March 13th at 12 noon in the North Mezzanine

Crazy cheap prices

Card only

Form a disorderly queue

PS: and you can buy our newer and wider-ranging swag here

Are you a woman DPhil student in STEM looking to expand your career horizons? SeedWISE is a dynamic enterprise programme designed to help you explore industrial and enterprise career paths, build connections, and enhance your skills.

The programme kicks off with an online induction on 29 April, followed by a series of interactive sessions between 6 May and 9 June 2025

Mon, 05 May 2025
14:15
L5

The state of the art in the formalisation of geometry

Heather Macbeth
(Imperial College London)
Abstract
The last ten years have seen extensive experimentation with computer formalisation systems such as Lean. It is now clear that these systems can express arbitrarily abstract mathematical definitions, and arbitrarily complicated mathematical proofs.
 
The current situation, then, is that everything is possible in principle -- and comparatively little is possible yet in practice! In this talk I will survey the state of the art in geometry (differential and algebraic). I will outline the current frontier of what has been formalised, and I will try to explain the main obstacles to progress.

'Careers Beyond Academia: Options and Pathways for Researchers', will take place from 24-27 March for Oxford University DPhils and Research Staff.

Join online panel discussions featuring PhD holders and former academic researchers now working across various industries and attend in-person events that explore the current job market and provide opportunities to connect with employers actively seeking to hire researchers. 

More information

On Friday March 7, we will be launching Oxford Edge, the new centre for student entrepreneurs at 37 St Giles. 

Open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students, the centre will be a space to work, connect, learn, and be inspired by successful entrepreneurs. Come and visit between 2.30 and 4.30pm on 7 March: the first 100 students to arrive will receive exclusive Edge merchandise.

Tue, 29 Apr 2025
16:00
L6

Thick points of the planar Gaussian free field 

Ellen Powell
(Durham University)
Abstract
The Gaussian Free Field (GFF) in two dimensions is a random field which can be viewed as a multidimensional analogue of Brownian motion, and appears as a universal scaling limit of a class of discrete height functions. Thick points of the GFF are points where, roughly speaking, the field is atypically high. They provide key insights into the geometric properties of the field, and are the basis for construction of important associated objects in random planar geometry. The set of thick points with thickness level a is a fractal set with Hausdorff dimension 2-a^2/2. In this talk I will discuss another fundamental property, namely, that the set is almost surely disconnected for all non-zero a. This is based on joint work with Juhan Aru and Léonie Papon, and uses a remarkable relationship between the GFF and the "conformal loop ensemble" of parameter 4. 
Tue, 27 May 2025
16:00

TBA

Claudia Rella
(Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques)
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