Tue, 11 Mar 2025
14:00
L6

Gelfand--Kirillov dimension and mod p cohomology for quaternion algebras

Andrea Dotto
(King's College London)
Abstract

The Gelfand--Kirillov dimension is a classical invariant that measures the size of smooth representations of p-adic groups. It acquired particular relevance in the mod p Langlands program because of the work of  Breuil--Herzig--Hu--Morra--Schraen, who computed it for the mod p cohomology of GL_2 over totally real fields, and used it to prove several structural properties of the cohomology. In this talk, we will present a simplified proof of this result, which has the added benefit of working unchanged for nonsplit inner forms of GL_2. This is joint work with Bao V. Le Hung.

Mon, 19 May 2025
15:30
L3

Quantitative Convergence of Deep Neural Networks to Gaussian Processes

Prof Dario Trevisan
(University of Pisa)
Abstract

In this seminar, we explore the quantitative convergence of wide deep neural networks with Gaussian weights to Gaussian processes, establishing novel rates for their Gaussian approximation. We show that the Wasserstein distance between the network output and its Gaussian counterpart scales inversely with network width, with bounds apply for any finite input set under specific non-degeneracy conditions of the covariances. Additionally, we extend our analysis to the Bayesian framework, by studying exact posteriors for neural networks, when endowed with Gaussian priors and regular Likelihood functions, but we also provide recent advancements in quantitative approximation of trained networks via gradient descent in the NTK regime. Based on joint works with A. Basteri, and A. Agazzi and E. Mosig.

Fri, 06 Dec 2024
16:00
L1

Fridays@4 – A start-up company? 10 things I wish I had known

Professor Peter Grindrod
(Mathematical Institute (University of Oxford))
Abstract

Are you thinking of launching your own start-up or considering joining an early-stage company? Navigating the entrepreneurial landscape can be both exciting and challenging. Join Pete for an interactive exploration of the unwritten rules and hidden insights that can make or break a start-up journey.

Drawing from personal experience, Pete's talk will offer practical wisdom for aspiring founders and team members, revealing the challenges and opportunities of building a new business from the ground up.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a potential start-up team member, or simply curious about innovative businesses, you'll gain valuable perspectives on the realities of creating something from scratch.

This isn't a traditional lecture – it will be a lively conversation that invites participants to learn, share, and reflect on the world of start-ups. Come prepared to challenge your assumptions and discover practical insights that aren't found in standard business guides.
 

A Start-Up Company? Ten Things I Wish I Had Known


Speaker: Professor Pete Grindrod

Fri, 09 May 2025

12:00 - 13:00
Quillen Room

An Introduction to Decomposition Classes

Joel Summerfield
(University of Birmingham)
Abstract
Decomposition Classes provide a natural way of partitioning a Lie algebra into finitely many pieces, collecting together adjoint orbits with similar Jordan decompositions. The current literature surrounding these tends to only cover certain cases -- such as in characteristic zero, or under the Standard Hypotheses. Building on the prior work of Borho-Kraft, Spaltenstein, Premet-Stewart and Ambrosio, we have managed to adapt many of the useful properties of decomposition classes to work in greater generality.
 
This talk will introduce the concept of Decomposition Classes, beginning with an illustrative example of 4-by-4 matrices over the complex numbers. We will then generalise this to the Lie algebras of connected reductive algebraic groups -- defined over arbitrary algebraically closed fields. After listing some general properties of Decomposition Classes and their closures, we will investigate structural differences across semisimple algebraic groups of type A_3, for different characteristics.
Mon, 12 May 2025
15:30
L3

TBC

TBC
Mon, 05 May 2025
15:30
L3

Weak Error of Dean-Kawasaki Equation with Smooth Mean-Field Interactions

Dr. Ana Djurdjevac
(Freie Universität Berlin)
Abstract

We consider the weak-error rate of the SPDE approximation by regularized Dean-Kawasaki equation with Itô noise, for particle systems exhibiting mean-field interactions both in the drift and the noise terms. Global existence and uniqueness of solutions to the corresponding SPDEs are established via the variational approach to SPDEs. To estimate the weak error, we employ the Kolmogorov equation technique on the space of probability measures. This work generalizes previous results for independent Brownian particles — where Laplace duality was used. In particular, we recover the same weak error rate as in that setting. This paper builds on joint work with X. Ji., H. Kremp and  N.  Perkowski.

Mon, 10 Mar 2025
15:30
L3

Recent progress on quantitative propagation of chaos

Dr Daniel Lacker
(Columbia University)
Abstract

When and how well can a high-dimensional system of stochastic differential equations (SDEs) be approximated by one with independent coordinates? This fundamental question is at the heart of the theory of mean field limits and the propagation of chaos phenomenon, which arise in the study of large (many-body) systems of interacting particles. This talk will present recent sharp quantitative answers to this question, both for classical mean field models and for more recently studied non-exchangeable models. Two high-level ideas underlie these answers. The first is a simple non-asymptotic construction, called the independent projection, which is a natural way to approximate a general SDE system by one with independent coordinates. The second is a "local" perspective, in which low-dimensional marginals are estimated iteratively by adding one coordinate at a time, leading to surprising improvements on prior results obtained by "global" arguments such as subadditivity inequalities. In the non-exchangeable setting, we exploit a surprising connection with first-passage percolation.

Mon, 03 Mar 2025
15:30
L3

Spin glasses with multiple types

Dr Jean-Christophe Mourrat
(ENS Lyon)
Abstract

Spin glasses are models of statistical mechanics in which a large number of elementary units interact with each other in a disordered manner. In the simplest case, there are direct interactions between any two units in the system, and I will start by reviewing some of the key mathematical results in this context. For modelling purposes, it is also desirable to consider models with more structure, such as when the units are split into two groups, and the interactions only go from one group to the other one. I will then discuss some of the technical challenges that arise in this case, as well as recent progress.

Subscribe to