Abstract: Groupoidification, a form of categorification, was introduced by John Baez, James Dolan and Todd Trimble. It has been successfully applied to several structures, which include Feynman Diagrams, Hecke Algebras and Hall Algebras. In order to expand the scope of groupoidification and its inverse process of degroupoidification, we take first steps in extending the theory from the discrete setting to the realm of topology, measure theory and analysis. In particular, we describe how to generalize two notions which play key roles in the theory: groupoid cardinality and the weak-pullback construction. This is a joint project with Daniele Grandini. The talk will be suited for a general mathematical audience, prior acquaintance with groupoids will not be assumed.

Coffee will be served at 12:00 before the lecture
at Schreiber building 006