Groups, Representations, and Cohomology

Alejandro Adem (co-chair), University of Wisconsin-Madison
Jon Carlson (co-chair), University of Georgia
Geoff Mason, University of California Santa Cruz
Brian Parshall, University of Virginia
Stephen Smith, University of Illinois at Chicago
Sarah Witherspoon, Amherst College

More than a century ago, Frobenius and Schur began the study of the representation theory of finite groups. However, many open questions remain, particularly in the areas of representations over the integral rings or fields of positive characteristic. Brauer developed block theory to understand better such representations, and it proved important in solving some problems in the classification of finite simple groups. Today, block theory is a subject of intense investigation centering on the conjectures of Alperin, Broue, and Dade. Around the same time as Brauer's original work, Eilenberg and Mac Lane gave an algebraic definition of group cohomology, analogous to similar constructions in topology. The cohomology theory has emerged as a vital tool for those studying representations of finite groups. There are many fruitful interactions among mathematicians from diverse backgrounds who use group cohomology, including those who work in representation theory and algebraic topology. More recently we have seen very active interactions between homotopy theory, group actions, and modular representation theory. Topics such as stable splittings of classifying spaces, group actions on finite complexes, and homotopy representations blend algebra and topology in novel and productive ways.

The main goals of this meeting will be not only to showcase recent research accomplishments but also to foster emerging interdisciplinary connections between several related areas in algebra and topology. Participation by recent Ph.D.'s as well as advanced graduate students is particularly encouraged. The conference will also celebrate the 65th birthday of Jon Alperin (June 2002), who has been a highly influential figure in group theory, group cohomology, and representation theory.

The following broad themes will be covered at this meeting, combining perspectives from both algebra and topology: structure and representations of finite and algebraic groups; block theory and the conjectures of Alperin and Dade; categorical equivalences and the conjectures of Broué; cohomology of groups and classifying spaces; groups, actions and homotopy theory.

The invited plenary speakers include: M. Aschbacher (Caltech), D. J. Benson (University of Georgia), C. Broto (U. A. de Barcelona), M. Broué (École Normale Superieure), W. Browder (Princeton University), J. Brundan (University of Oregon), E. Dade (University of Illinois), K. Erdmann (Oxford University), E. Friedlander (Northwestern University), R. Griess (University of Michigan), J. Grodal (University of Chicago), J. C. Jantzen (University of Oregon), G. Lehrer (University of Sydney), G. Lusztig (MIT), M. Linckelman (University of Paris VII), R. Lyons (Rutgers University), U. Meierfrankenfeld (Michigan State University), R. J. Milgram (Stanford University), D. Nakano (University of Georgia), R. Oliver (Université de Paris-Nord), S. Priddy (Northwestern University), J. Rickard (University of Bristol), G. Robinson (University of Birmingham), R. Rouquier (University of Paris VII), L. Scott (University of Virginia), J. H. Smith (Purdue University), P. Webb (University of Minnesota).

For further information please visit the website maintained by the organizers at http://www.math.wisc.edu/~adem/src.html .