Restricted Symmetry and Asymptotic Enumeration of Discrete Structures (26w5615)

The Casa Matemática Oaxaca (CMO) will host the "Restricted Symmetry and Asymptotic Enumeration of Discrete Structures" workshop in Oaxaca, from September 13 to September 18, 2026.

Symmetry is a fundamental concept that plays a profound role not only in mathematics but also in science and art. Highly symmetrical objects are not merely aesthetically pleasing; they often possess a number of intriguing and significant characteristics. Detailed study of symmetry has been made possible by a century-old branch of algebra known as `group theory'. (For example, the symmetries of a regular pentagon can be represented by the `dihedral group' of order 10, consisting of 5 rotations and 5 reflections.) This workshop will investigate a number of contemporary questions considering the construction and enumeration of symmetric objects of various kinds, including combinatorial graphs (networks), maps on surfaces, and higher-dimensional objects known as polytopes. Special attention will be paid to such objects with restricted symmetry, such as those which admit no reflections.

The Casa Matemática Oaxaca (CMO) in Mexico, and the Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery (BIRS) in Banff, are collaborative Canada-US-Mexico ventures that provide an environment for creative interaction as well as the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and methods within the Mathematical Sciences, with related disciplines and with industry. The research station in Banff is supported by Canada's Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and Alberta Technology and Innovation. The research station in Oaxaca is funded by UNAM and IIMAS.