Conference: Topology Students Workshop 2026

This grant will support the eighth Topology Students Workshop (TSW), a biennial five-day program to be held at Vanderbilt University from June 8–12, 2024. The workshop is intended for graduate students working in geometric group theory, geometry, and topology, and combines research engagement with professional development. Its purpose is to introduce participants to a broad spectrum of contemporary research while strengthening their abilities in communication, collaboration, and the exchange of mathematical ideas. The program will bring together roughly forty graduate students and ten mentors representing diverse research areas and career stages. Mentors will play an active role throughout the week, offering guidance on both research and professional growth. The schedule is designed to encourage substantial interaction, including extended time for discussion, feedback on presentations, and informal collaboration. The central aims of TSW are to (a) broaden participants’ exposure to current directions in topology and related fields, (b) develop their skills in presenting and discussing mathematics, and (c) provide insight into professional practices that are often not addressed in formal coursework. The research component spans topics such as contact and symplectic topology, 3-manifolds, hyperbolic geometry, group actions, and complex dynamics. Complementing this, the professional development program addresses topics including effective conference participation and strategies for building a research profile. Additional sessions will focus on networking practices, professional communication, and the academic job application process, as well as a panel discussion on career opportunities featuring mathematicians working in academia, industry, government, and secondary education. Mentors will also deliver research talks and propose problems suitable for participants beginning independent research. Further information about the workshop can be found at http://https://margalit.droppages.net/tsw26 This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2556060 | Program: 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Dan Margalit | Institution: Vanderbilt University, NASHVILLE, TN | Award Amount: $29,998 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2556060 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2556060.html