Geometry, Topology and Dynamics Seminar
Sidhanth Raman
University of Chicago
On 4-manifold mapping class groups
Abstract: Thurston revolutionized the study of diffeomorphisms of Riemann surfaces with a myriad of tools: hyperbolic geometry, geometric group theory, Teichmüller theory, and much more. One goal of this work is to see how much of his vision persists in higher dimensions. In this talk, I will tell a few stories about 4-manifolds and their mapping class groups, with an eye towards the Nielsen realization problem for certain algebraic surfaces. Some of the results I plan to share are joint work with Seraphina Lee and Tudur Lewis.
Wednesday February 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM in 636 SEO