Symmetries of Manifolds - Lecture 1

Explore the fascinating world of manifold symmetries in this lecture by Oscar Randal-Williams from the University of Cambridge, part of the 2024 Unni Namboodiri Lectures in Geometry and Topology. Delve into the study of mathematical objects and their symmetries, focusing on manifolds as central elements in topology and geometry. Discover various types of symmetry groups, including isometries, diffeomorphisms, and homeomorphisms. Examine classical and recent results concerning symmetry spaces of simple manifolds like spheres, discs, and Euclidean space. Gain insights into cutting-edge methods used to investigate these symmetries and learn about the emerging conjectural picture in this field. This 58-minute talk offers a comprehensive introduction to the intriguing topic of "Symmetries of Manifolds" for those interested in advanced mathematics and topology.