This proposal is to fund the Undergraduate Knot Theory Conference 2012 to bring together undergraduates and undergraduate faculty interested in knot theory, to be held at Denison University from July 15-18, 2012. Knot theory is a field very amenable to research by undergraduates. There are a variety of REU programs with a knot theory component. Moreover, there are many faculty members who would like to involve their students in undergraduate research in knot theory. This conference will bring together experts in knot theory with undergraduates who are either currently participating in knot theory REUs, undergraduates who have participated in knot theory research, current graduate students who participated as undergraduates in knot theory research, and perhaps most importantly, faculty who either have involved undergraduates in knot theory research or who would like to involve undergraduates.
As a centerpiece, we will have a collective problem session to give participants numerous ideas for future research directions. This conference will provide an opportunity for students to experience a mathematics research conference that is specifically designed and directed toward them. Moreover, the conference will establish a supportive network of students and faculty with an interest in knot theory research, thus furthering the involvement of students in the field of mathematics. The conference URL is www.denison.edu/unknot.
Over the course of the 3 1/2 day conference, we had 97 participants including mainstream researchers, undergraduate faculty members who conduct research with students, undergraduate faculty members new to the field, graduate students, experienced undergraduate students and undergraduate students new to the field. There were 37 faculty members, 2 post docs, 9 graduate students, and 49 undergraduate students. It was a wonderful example of vertical integration. There were a total of 50 presentations, with 26 given by undergraduates. Every participant that requested travel funding received part or the full amount requested. This included 83% of the undergraduate students and 75% of the undergraduate faculty. Once again, many of the attendees commented that they appreciated the sense of community that the conference developed. While knot theory is a very active topic in mathematical research, it does not have one conference that pulls everyone together into a learning community. This conference worked in that direction. A number of attendees have formed new collaborations as a result of the conference. The purpose of the conference was to introduce students and faculty to active research areas in knot theory, to give them the opportunity to talk about their ongoing research and to find new avenues of research. The conference seemed to work very well in this regard. Moreover, many of the student participants had little experience with math conferences. 65% of the students gave presentations on their research. They all experienced a sense of what it is like to be involved in the mathematical community. Students got to know a selection of experts in the field, and we saw the beginning of a network forming. Students who continue in this research direction will have made key contacts for the future.
