INFINITE GROUP THEORY

FROM THE PAST

TO

THE FUTURE

A conference celebrating the great achievements
in infinite group theory over the past two decades
and in honor of the 70th birthdays of

Gerhard Rosenberger and Dennis Spellman

FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY

APRIL 23, 2015
  
  

GRADUATE CENTER CUNY

APRIL 24, 2015

Over the past several decades there has been tremendous progress in infinite group theory and, especially, combinatorial group theory. Many of these advances have centered on four areas, that are of course interrelated: the development of geometric group theory; the development of an algebraic geometry over groups; the integration of group theory and computer science via the study of automatic groups and rewriting systems; and, finally, the creation of group-based cryptography. Much of this material came together in the monumental work that resulted in a proof, by Kharlampovich and Myasnikov and, independently, by Sela, of the Tarski conjecture on free groups.

To show an appreciation of these achievements and to honor on their 70th birthdays two people, Gerhard Rosenberger and Dennis Spellman, who have made significant contributions to the area, there will be a two-day conference April 23-24, 2015. Thursday April 23 will be at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, while April 24, 2015 will be at the Graduate Center of CUNY at 34th Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan. Thursday evening there will be a dinner and birthday party, hosted by Fairfield University. The speakers are predominantly people who have worked with the honorees.

SCHEDULE:

The schedule is available here.

REGISTRATION:

There will be a $25 registration fee for the Fairfield portion of the conference to cover the conference dinner and organization. Students (graduate and undergraduate) may attend for free. Registration can be paid in person at the conference and receipts of payment and attendance will be provided for reimbursement purposes. To help with organization, we ask that participants pre-register by sending an email to InfiniteGroupTheory2015@gmail.com. We have a list of current confirmed participants.

CONFERENCE DINNER:

There will be a conference dinner and celebration Thursday night at 6 PM at the Kelley Center Auditorium hosted by Fairfield University. The cost is $25 per person (part of the registration fee), but is free to students.

FESTSCHRIFT VOLUME:

We are planning a Festschrift volume and invite papers.

LIST OF SPEAKERS:

Paul Baginski
Volker Diekert
Ben Fine
Anthony Gaglione
David Garber
Bob Gilman
Jane Gilman
Delaram Kahrobaei
Olga Kharlampovich
Martin Kreuzer
Seymour Lipschutz
Alexei Myasnikov
Eugene Plotkin
Vladimir Shpilrain

TRANSPORTATION:

Fairfield, Connecticut and New York City are connected by the Metro North rail line (New Haven Branch). In New York City, the local station is Grand Central Station at 42nd Street. It is a 15-20 minute walk from Grand Central to the Graduate Center. In Fairfield, the local station is Fairfield Station (not Fairfield Metro!). Fairfield University is a 15-20 minute walk from the station. Tickets may be bought in the station from kiosks or, for a hefty surcharge, on the train. Fares differ whether the trip is peak or non-peak.

PARKING:

Participants who are driving to Fairfield's campus may park on campus, including in areas designated for faculty. Participants are asked to put a paper in their front windshield saying "MATH CONFERENCE" to identify their vehicles to the parking authorities.

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE:

Paul Baginski (Fairfield)
Ben Fine (Fairfield)
Anthony Gaglione (US Naval Academy)
Vladimir Shpilrain (CUNY Graduate Center)