ICMS

Sep 8, 2008 - Sep 12, 2008

ICMS, 14 India Street, Edinburgh

Scientific Organisers
Gareth Jones, University of Southampton
Jürgen Wolfart, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt

Dessins d'enfants is a theory, initiated by Grothendieck in 1984, which uses maps on surfaces to create a link between on the one hand the Teichmüller theory of Riemann surfaces, and on the other hand the Galois theory of algebraic number fields and the algebraic curves defined over them. The theory thus provides surprising and powerful connections between such apparently dissimilar fields as algebraic geometry, algebraic number theory, combinatorics, Galois theory, group theory, Teichmüller theory and topology, and provides a fertile ground for collaborations between members of these different disciplines.

The main theme of the meeting will be dessins d'enfants, but this will be interpreted very broadly. The workshop will appeal to participants whose interest in the subject comes from many different areas of mathematics: in particular areas such as algebraic geometry, combinatorics, Galois theory, group theory, Riemann surfaces and Teichmüller theory, with participants who are experts (or in some cases, promising beginners) in the theoretical and practical aspects of these subjects. This workshop will involve younger mathematicians from a wide range of relevant mathematical disciplines, and from further afield, with the emphasis of the workshop being on interactive discussion and collaboration.

Numbers will be limited to a maximum of 35 and there will be a contribution to local costs (including accommodation and subsistence) from awards to ICMS. A Registration Fee of £30 will be payable by all delegates.

Participation is by invitation only: those interested in attending should contact Gareth Jones (g.a.jones@maths.soton.ac.uk).

Arrangements

Participation
Participation is by invitation only. The workshop will begin on Monday 8 September and finish on Friday 12 September 2008.

UK Visas
If you are travelling from overseas you may require an entry visa. A European visa does not guarantee entry to the UK. Please use this link to the UK Visas site to find out if you need a visa and if so how to apply for one. If you do require a visa, ICMS can provide a signed invitation letter.

Venue
The workshop will take place at the head-quarters of ICMS, 14 India Street, Edinburgh. This house is the birthplace of James Clerk Maxwell and is situated in the historic New Town of Edinburgh, near the city centre.

The ICMS travel pages contain advice on how to travel to Edinburgh. For local information the finding ICMS page shows the location of ICMS and contains useful maps of the city centre.

The seminar room at ICMS has four whiteboards, two overhead projectors, a data projector and laptop.

Wireless access is available throughout the ICMS building. There are also three public PCs which may be used at any time for internet access and to check email.

Accommodation
ICMS will arrange single en-suite rooms in local guest houses for those who require it. Accommodation is typically about 15 to 30 minutes walk from ICMS. Participants are also free to make their own arrangements and may claim back the cost, with receipts, up to a maximum of £45.00 per night bed and breakfast. A list of Edinburgh accommodation of various sorts and prices is available here . Sections 1-3 are particularly relevant.

Meals and Refreshments
A buffet lunch will be provided on the first day of the workshop, Monday 8 September. For the remainder of the days, participants are free to go out for lunch and explore the many cafes, restaurants, sandwich shops and bars in the surrounding area. On arrival we will provide you with a ‘welcome’ pack which will contain information about eating places nearby.

Morning and afternoon refreshments will be provided throughout the workshop.

There will be an informal wine reception after the close of lectures on Monday 8 September.

On Tuesday 9 September there will be an informal supper at a local restaurant. The workshop dinner will take place on the evening of Thursday 11 September.

Registration
Registration will take place on Monday 8 September.

Financial Arrangements
Unless otherwise specified in your invitation letter, the workshop grant will cover the cost of your bed and breakfast accommodation, tea/coffee throughout the workshop, lunch on the first day, the wine reception, the informal supper on Tuesday and the Workshop Dinner on Thursday evening.

If we have agreed to pay some of your travel costs, you will be informed by email. Reimbursement will take place after the workshop. At Registration you will be given an expenses claim form and this should be submitted to ICMS, with receipts and bank details. Please note that we cannot reimburse any item without a receipt.

Under the terms of our EPSRC funding we are required to charge a 30.00 GBP registration fee to cover costs not admissible under the grant. The fee will be payable on arrival at the workshop: payment may be by cash, sterling cheque or credit/debit card. If you anticipate any difficulty covering the fee, please let us know.

Participants