Informal Friday Seminar: Klein -- What could possibly go wrong? A walk in the world of Matroid Realisability

Informal Friday Seminar 

Speaker: Finn Klein, The University of Sydney 

Abstract: I will give an introduction to selected aspects of the theory of matroids, a
combinatorial theory that unifies aspects of linear algebra, graph theory, polytope
theory and many other fields.  I will motivate the definition of a matroid from these
different viewpoints and discuss in more detail the problem of when a matroid is
realisable, i.e.  arises from linear algebra.  The space of realisations of a given
matroid can exhibit arbitrary pathologies, which can be beautifully illustrated using
relatively basic constructions in projective geometry.  If time allows, I will touch on
the case of positroids, whose realisation spaces are much better behaved.  

The talk is aimed at a broad mathematical audience.  

Details: The Informal Friday Seminar is a space where members of our research group can
explain interesting things to each other in a casual setting.  

The rules of the seminar are the following: 

Any question/additional explanation from the audience is allowed.  

Ego out the window.  

Examples, examples, examples.  

If you would like to join the mailing list or contribute a talk, please email
finn.klein@sydney.edu.au.