Given a space X we can consider the space of ordered configurations of n distinct points from X. When X is a Euclidean space, the singular cohomology of these configuration spaces has rich structure. In this talk we consider configurations of points in G-representations where G is a finite group. Such configuration spaces inherit an action of the group G, and we investigate the structure of their equivariant cohomology. We'll start by reviewing the classical computations by Arnold and Cohen to compute the singular cohomology, and then discuss new techniques used to compute the Bredon G-equivariant cohomology. This is joint work with Dan Dugger.
There will be a pre-talk aimed at graduate students 2:30-3:15pm, also in CLK 120 (note the non-standard location).