CMSA/Tsinghua Math-Science Literature Lecture: Martin Bridson: Profinite rigidity: Chasing finite shadows of infinite groups
CMSA EVENTS
Date: March 10, 2026
Time: 8:45 – 10:15 am ET
Location: Harvard Science Center Hall A, 1 Oxford Street, Cambridge MA & via Zoom Webinar
Speaker: Martin Bridson FRS is the Whitehead Professor of Pure Mathematics at Oxford and President of the Clay Mathematics Institute.
Title: Profinite rigidity: Chasing finite shadows of infinite groups
Abstract: There are many situations in geometry or elsewhere in mathematics where it is natural or convenient to explore infinite groups of symmetries via their actions on finite objects. But how hard is it find these finite manifestations and to what extent does the collection of all such actions determine the infinite group?
In this talk, I will sketch some of the rich history of such problems and then describe some of the significant advances in recent years.
We’ll pay particular attention to groups that arise in 3-dimensional geometry and topology.
Registration is required.
Beginning in Spring 2020, the CMSA began hosting a lecture series on literature in the mathematical sciences, with a focus on significant developments in mathematics that have influenced the discipline, and the lifetime accomplishments of significant scholars.