Speaker: Prof. Angela Gibney

Abstract: Moduli spaces reveal how objects like varieties or schemes of a particular type behave in families. For instance, the moduli space parametrizing stable n-pointed curves of genus g, gives insight into the study of smooth curves and their degenerations. As curves arise in many contexts, the moduli space of curves is a meeting ground, where constructions from diverse fields can be tested and explored.  I will tell you a little bit about this space and about some of the tools we use to explore it.