Midrasha Mathematicae on
Groups and Probablity

Place: Institute for Advanced Studies, Givat-Ram, Jerusalem.

Sponsors: Yad Hanadiv (main sponsor) ; The Einstein Institute of Mathematics at the Hebrew University ; The Amitsur Fund ; The Center for Discrete Mathematics and Computer Science ; The Landau Center.

Organizer: Prof. Aner Shalev.

Topics: The workshop was of an interdisciplinary nature, facilitating successful interaction between experts in group theory, probability, combinatorics and computer science, where groups of Lie type served as a unifying Leitmotiv.

Specific topics addressed include:

• Groups of Lie type and their subgroup structure
• Probabilistic aspects of finite simple groups
• Applications to permutation groups, profinite groups and other areas
• Matrix group algorithms and their use of randomization
• Associated Cayley graphs, generating sets and random walks

• L. Babai (University of Chicago): Statistical methods in matrix group algorithms.

• P. Diaconis (Harvard and Cornell): Random walks and random elements in finite groups.

• M.W. Liebeck (Imperial College, London): Probabilistic methods in simple groups and permutation groups.

• G.M. Seitz (Eugene, Oregon): Subgroups of groups of Lie type.

Other speakers: There were 23 other speakers, each giving a 40 minute talk, as follows: C. Altseimer, R. Beals, R. Brooks, J. Fulman, D. Gluck, M. Jarden, G. Kalai, C. Leedham-Green, N. Linial, A. Lubotzky, A. Mann, P.M. Neumann, A. Niemeyer, E. O'Brien, P. Palfy, C.E. Praeger, L. Pyber, Y. Roichman, E. Schmutz, Y. Segev, A. Seress, S. Shelah, A. Wigderson.

Other participants: There were about 45 registered participants from different countries (USA, England, Hungary, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey and Israel). In some of the talks attendance was much higher, as various additional local people (students and stuff) turned up.

Social events included: Daily lunch at Beit-Belgia, Reception (Sunday evening), Conference dinner at Laguta restaurant (Thursday evening), Excursion in the Old City (Friday afternoon).

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Last updated: March 24th, 2004

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