Workshop

The Scope: Recent years have seen spectacular new developments in the study of three and four dimensional manifolds, and in knot theory. Connections have been established to mathematical physics (gauge theory, statistical mechanics, quantum field theory), differential geometry (sympectic/contact geometry, hyperbolic geometry, minimal surfaces), complex algebraic geometry and representation theory. This conference aims to bring together researchers in these areas to see what common threads emerge. We hope to encourage cross fertilization of ideas and techniques, host a large number of graduate students, and encourage new collaborations. Current research areas on which the conference will focus include gauge theory and smooth structures on 4-manifolds, symplectic and contact topology, topology of 4-manifolds, quantum topology and perturbative invariants of knots and 3-manifolds, hyperbolic geometry in dimension 3, and combinatorial methods in knot theory and 3-dimensional topology. These are all areas in which Rob Kirby and his students have made important contributions, and special events honoring Kirby on the occasion of his 60th birthday will be a part of this event Invited speakers include: J. Birman, A. Casson, S. Donaldson, C. Gordon, R. Edwards, M. Freedman, V.F.R. Jones, M. Kontsevich, R. Lickorish, R. Kirby, J. Morgan, L. Siebenmann, D. Sullivan, C. Taubes, W. Thurston.