This award supports participation in the Groundwork for Operator Algebras Lecture Series to be held at Michigan State University during June 28 - July 12, 2020. Operator algebras arose as a mathematical framework for quantum mechanics, and the field today is a highly active research area. The Groundwork for Operator Algebras Lecture Series (GOALS) is a two-week summer school and workshop that aims to provide early-career graduate students with an introduction to the fundamental techniques and current research in operator algebras. In addition, GOALS aims to increase, in this field, the participation and retention of persons from traditionally underrepresented groups by removing technical barriers to the field and building a strong community of support among the participants, contributors, and organizers.
The field of operator algebras is a branch of functional analysis, which has a long-standing dialogue with various fields of mathematics and physics, such as topology, group theory, conformal field theory, probability, and logic, to name a few. The breadth of knowledge required to actively engage in operator algebras can be intimidating; there is a need to provide future researchers with an introduction to fundamental techniques and current research. The objectives of GOALS will be accomplished via lecture series on the basics of C*-algebras and von Neumann algebras; problem sessions; evening discussions on psychological barriers; expository talks about more advanced topics; and a culminating conference with leading researchers in operator algebras. The community created at GOALS will be sustained by providing financial support for the participants to reunite at major annual operator algebras conferences such as the Great Plains Operator Theory Symposium. More information about this event is available at the link below.
https://users.math.msu.edu/users/banelson/conferences/GOALS.html
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
