Locally Symmetric Spaces (08w5056)

Symmetric spaces are geometric objects that possess a great deal of
symmetry; in $2$ dimensions there are three examples, the Euclidean plane,
the sphere, and the non-Euclidean plane. When a symmetric space is glued
to itself via a discrete group of symmetries, the result is a locally
symmetric space. These spaces have a rich structure and form a nexus
between geometry, analysis, and number theory. A great deal of activity
has been taking place lately to study locally symmetric spaces from a
variety of viewpoints. The workshop to take place at the Banff International Research Station, May 18 - 23, 2008, brings together experts and young researchers from many disciplines, united by their
interest in locally symmetric spaces. It is an opportunity
for participants to learn techniques and results from outside their
specialty and to engage in collaborations across fields.

The Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery (BIRS) is a collaborative Canada-US-Mexico venture that provides an environment for creative interaction as well as the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and methods within the Mathematical Sciences, with related disciplines and with industry. The research station is located at The Banff Centre in Alberta and is supported by Canada's Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the US National Science Foundation (NSF), Alberta's Advanced Education and Technology, and Mexico's Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologí­a (CONACYT).