Algebra Seminar: Mautner -- From the general linear group to matroids

Carl Mautner (University of California, Riverside) 

Friday 1 September, 2:30-3:30pm, Place: Carslaw 375 

Title: From the general linear group to matroids 

Abstract: The Schur algebra is a finite-dimensional algebra that encodes the rich
representation theory of the general linear group.  Motivated by geometry, Tom Braden
and I have defined a similar algebra associated to any graph or, more generally,
matroid.  After introducing the various objects involved, I will discuss how our work
"categorifies" some combinatorial results about matroids and discuss some new
combinatorial questions that it raises.