Algebraic Dynamics Seminar at Harvard
We meet in Room 232 of the Science Center, usually on Thursdays at 4pm. Seminars are typically two hours long, with a break in the middle and the second hour for more details. Please email me (Laura DeMarco) if you are interested in joining the email list, so I can send you announcements. The math department is locked, so you should contact me if you are not from Harvard but would like to attend a lecture.
See also the Informal Geometry & Dynamics seminar on Wednesdays.
Next lecture:
Thursday, March 12, 4:00-6:00pm
Sarah Koch (University of Michigan)
Title: Simple Closed Curves and Complex Dynamics
Abstract: William Thurston's Topological Characterization of Rational Maps is a central theorem in complex dynamics. It contains a topological criterion under which a branched cover S^2 -> S^2 is equivalent to a rational map on the Riemann sphere. This criterion is formulated in terms of simple closed curves on the sphere. We will explore this and discuss different kinds of behavior that these curve systems exhibit for branched covers and rational maps.
Spring 2026
January 29. Adam Melrod, Harvard
February 5. Chenxin Huang, Harvard
February 12. Yohsuke Matsuzawa, Osaka Metropolitan University
February 25 (Wednesday). Curt McMullen, Harvard
March 12. Sarah Koch, University of Michigan
March 25 (Wednesday). John Hamal Hubbard, Cornell
April 2. Sina Saleh, Harvard
April 9. Richard Birkett, Brown University
Fall 2025
September 18. Max Weinreich, Harvard
September 24 (Wednesday). Mala Mukundan, Boston University, in SC530
October 2. Saeed Zakeri, Queens College CUNY
October 8 (Wednesday). Dylan Thurston, Boston College, in SC530
October 30. Matt Olechnowicz, Concordia University
November 6. Curt McMullen, Harvard
November 20. Tanya Firsova, Kansas State