Instructional Workshop on Subfactors and Planar Algebras
(SFPA2008)
August
26-28, 2008.
The
work of Vaughan Jones in the late 1980's once again revolutionised the
theory
of von Neumann algebras. The
study of subfactors emerging from it took various directions; in
particular
their structure theory became extremely
important, also for other branches of Mathematics and Mathematical
Physics. The
so-called `planar
algebras' introduced by Jones and Bisch, which also play a role in Free
Probability Theory, appear
to be particularly useful constructs.
The
purpose of this three-day Instructional Workshop is to provide a forum
for
information on the latest developments in
this highly specialised and vibrant area of Mathematics. The core
activity will
be six one-hour lectures delivered
by Prof
Dietmar Bisch,
Vanderbilt
(on the first afternoon and the mornings of
the following two days). The
afternoons of the second and third day shall be used for informal
discussions
or shorter talks by either advanced PhD students
or other researchers in the field of von Neumann algebras.
This
workshop is organised by Dr Martin Mathieu and supported by the School
of
Mathematics and Physics, the Irish Mathematical Society and the
London Mathematical Society. Graduate students studying in the RoI or
the UK
can be supported; for details please
contact m.m@qub.ac.uk
Venue
The meeting will be held in the
new David Bates Building (7 College Park), next to the site where the
new Library is being built. Signposts will be put up.
Click here for a timetable.
Travel
Belfast has
an International Airport, linked to the city centre by a regular bus
service running every half hour, as well as the George
Best City Airport (from which you can take the train
to Botanic Station; the station is called "Sydenham'' and "Botanic" is
the third stop). A taxi from the City
Airport to the Department costs about
£7.
Belfast can
also be conveniently reached by train (every two hours) from Dublin
Connolly Station. There are many low fares from a number of locations
in Europe
to Dublin
Airport,
and there is a shuttle from the airport to the Main Bus Station
(Busáras) near Connolly. There are also direct bus services from Dublin Airport
to the City Centre of Belfast every half hour.
See Translink
and Aircoach
Here's some information on
Belfast; and here is some more.
Accommodation
Participants will be accommodated in the
new Elms Village
close to the University (15min walk), unless they prefer to make their
own arrangements. The cost for a single ensuite room is £35 per night;
this includes continental breakfast in the Elms Village.
If you want us to book such a room for you, please indicate this on the
registration form below.
Registration
for this event is now closed.