Thirteenth meeting of the Transpennine Topology Triangle

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
University of Leicester
9th March 1998

The meeting is devoted to recent work of Leary and Nucinkis on the proper classifying space of certain infinite discrete groups. It will include the usual time for participant discussion.

Programme

Coffee will be available from 10.30 am in F9, and the first talk will probably start at 11.30; talks in G4 of the Mathematics Building.

11.30 am Ian Leary (Southampton)
Can Kan-Thurston be done properly?
3.00 pm Brita Nucinkis (Southampton)
Can Eilenberg-Ganea be done properly?

Arrangements for a meal or drink afterwards will be made on the day.

ABSTRACT

The Kan-Thurston theorem and the Eilenberg-Ganea theorem are theorems about BG, a classifying space for principal G-bundles. They say respectively, that any connected CW-complex has the same homology as a BG for some G, and that if G has finite cohomological dimension, there is a finite dimensional BG. The titles of the talks are intended to ask: Is there an analogous theorem for \underline{B}G, a classifying space for proper G-bundles (the space that features in the Baum-Connes conjecture, and in the definition of relative cohomology). The answers are "yes" and "maybe". The analogue of Kan-Thurston is significantly easier than the original, and is joint work of Leary and Nucinkis. The analogue of Eilenberg-Ganea is more subtle, and only partial results are known via the work of Kropholler-Mislin and of Nucinkis.

Anyone who wishes to participate is welcome: we shall operate the usual arrangements for assistance with travel expenses. We expect to assemble for tea and coffee from 11.00 am until the first talk.
Tea and Coffee will be served in the common room.
For further information email John Hunton jrh7@mcs.le.ac.uk (or John Greenlees j.greenlees@sheffield.ac.uk or Nige Ray nige@ma.man.ac.uk) if you are interested, so we can make approximately the right amount of tea and coffee.

How to get there

It is a short walk from the rail station. See maps and how to get to Leicester University

The meeting is partially supported by a Scheme 3 grant from the London Mathematical Society.

Escape routes