Summer Workshop
Nelson, January 7-13, 2018
The theme of the 2018 NZMRI Summer Workshop is Algebra and Representation Theory.
Lecture series
It will feature five outstanding researchers, each giving a series of 4 lectures.
- Arun Ram, University of Melbourne. Flag varieties and Schubert calculus
- Alan Reid, Rice University. SL(2,C) character varieties in low-dimensional topology
- Colva Roney-Dougal, University of St Andrews. Maximal subgroups of finite simple groups and applications
- Dan Segal, University of Oxford. Profinite groups
- Don Taylor, University of Sydney. Character Theory of Finite Groups
Timetable and format
Arrival: by the evening of Sunday, 7 January
Departure: lunchtime Saturday, 13 January.
Talks will start at 9am Monday 8 January, and finish by lunchtime Saturday 13 January.
The first day of lectures will consist of introductory lectures specifically aimed at honours and graduate students.
Here’s a draft timetable for the workshop.
Lecture notes
Arun Ram
Alan Reid
Reading list and other material
Colva Roney-Dougal
Dan Segal
Survey on profinite groups
Lecture 2 and extract from Lubotzky-Segal
Don Taylor
Location
The workshop will be held the Function Centre at Tahunanui Beach, Nelson.
Accommodation
Some accommodation is reserved for students at the nearby Tahuna Beach Holiday Park
All other participants must arrange their own accommodation bookings. Here are some nearby motels.
Meals
Dinner will be provided at the Function Centre for participants and their families from Sunday through Friday [except on the free Thursday].
Support for NZ-based students
We expect to cover the cost of accommodation and catering for all NZ-based student participants.
Also students at NZ universities may apply for a Kalman Summer Scholarship, to assist their participation at this workshop. The Kalman Summer Scholarships were established from a generous bequest in support of New Zealand mathematics from the late John Kalman, a former professor at the University of Auckland. Applicants will normally be expected to be studying for an Honours or Masters degree or a PhD.
Four or five Kalman Summer Scholarships will be awarded, to help cover costs of travel, accommodation and meals. Scholarship recipients will be expected to submit a full report by mid-February 2018, describing what they gained from their participation in the workshop. Applicants should submit an academic transcript, brief CV, and a statement from their academic supervisor (or mentor) that indicates how participation in the summer meeting will benefit the student’s development.
Applications should be sent by email to Prof. Rod Gover, the NZMRI Secretary, by 13 October 2017.
These scholarships have now been awarded.
Support for NZ-based academics
We provide limited support for NZ-based academics to attend. Typically cost of catering is covered, as is some contribution to accommodation costs. The level of subsidy will depend on the number of participants. The subsidy will be paid directly to the participant during the week of the workshop; you must provide a GST receipt for your accommodation charges.
Participants based outside of New Zealand
You are most welcome to attend. However, the NZMRI’s funding for the workshop does not permit support for participants based outside of New Zealand. If you need information on costs of catering or other details, please email Eamonn.
Registration
Registration has now closed. If you wish to attend, email Marston who may be able to assist.
Other activities
Thursday January 11 and all afternoons are free.
We recommend that you take the opportunity to explore the Nelson / Marlborough / Golden Bay region.
Travel options
Nelson Airport is located only 2 kilometres from the workshop venue. There are flights between Nelson and Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. By car, Nelson is a pleasant 2-hour drive (110km) from Picton, where there are car and passenger ferries connecting with Wellington.
Organisers
The organisers are Marston Conder and Eamonn O’Brien and Gabriel Verret.
Additional information
This page will be updated regularly. To obtain further information, email Eamonn.
Last updated November 2017