An initiative of the
Groupement de Recherche Européen "Topologie Algébrique"
(G.D.R.E. C.N.R.S. 1110)
&
Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (Barcelona)

The past decades have seen great interplays between theoretical physics and algebraic topology. It is very exciting for a topologist to learn how such familiar objects as Hochschild cohomology and free loop spaces can be used by physicists. String theory deserves a particular attention because of its inspirational influence in homotopy theory.

This summer school will consist of three intensive courses, focusing on Hochschild (co)-homology and string topology, from the point of view of homotopy theory (K. Hess) and also as a topological field theory (R. Cohen, A. Voronov). Participants will also have the opportunity to present posters on their own research.

The lecture notes of the courses have been published in the mathematical series "Advanced Courses in Mathematics, CRM Barcelona", by Birkhäuser Verlag, 2006, VI, 163p.

The titles of the courses are the following:

"Hochschild and Cyclic Homology ant its Relation with Free Loop Spaces", by Kathryn Hess.

"String Topology and Beyond", by Alexander A. Voronov.

"String Topology, graphs and Morse theory", by Ralph Cohen.

See summaries and references for these courses. See also the final schedule for the summer school.

We have planned some cultural activities:

On Wednesday 17, a visit of the Alcazaba, the medieval arabic castle is organized.
On Friday 19, there will be a special evening meal in Restaurante Club de Mar (see below in this map of Almeria center).
On Saturday 20, afternoon we will have time for a little excursion in the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata, after the last lecture (12h - 21h).

Call for posters

All participants have the opportunity to present a poster on their work, as long as it is related to the subject of the summer school. You can submit your proposal by sending title and abstract (following the format of this example) to Jérôme Scherer (jscherer@mat.uab.es) before August 15.

The accepted posters are the following:

Symmetrization of a Brace Algebra, by Marilyn Daily
On the Classification of Moore Algebras and their Deformations, by Alastair Hamilton
The Hochschild Homology of Hypersurfaces, by O. Petras and M. J. Pflaum

Financial support, (pre)-registration forms and deadlines

The organization will cover the lodgement expenses for almost all participants.

The deadline to pre-register and asking for financial support (including living and/or travel expenses) was June 16.

The deadline for register was August 15. See the current list of registered participants.

The registration fee of 100 Eur must be payed before September 1, 2003 (NEW DATE!!). This includes lunch (except Saturday), coffee breaks, bus tickets (10 trips), some school material and the special dinner on Friday evening. The excursion is not covered by the registration fee. Accompagning people have to pay all their own expenses. You can pay the registration fee either by bank transfer or by credit card.