Overview
Generalized symmetries provide a modern framework that extends the conventional notion of global symmetries in quantum field theory by associating symmetries with topological operators. They are described by higher fusion categories, which incorporate higher-form symmetries and non-invertible symmetries. In recent years, the perspective of generalized symmetries has revolutionized our understanding of symmetries and related phenomena across a wide range of subjects, including quantum field theory, string theory, condensed matter physics, quantum information theory, and mathematical physics.
From a physical perspective, generalized symmetries naturally extend concepts associated with conventional symmetries, including anomalies, gauging, spontaneous symmetry breaking, and renormalization group flows. These aspects of generalized symmetries have led to renewed understanding and new interpretations of various phenomena in strongly coupled quantum field theories, string compactifications, conformal field theories, particle physics models, lattice systems, and topological phases of matter. On the mathematical side, generalized symmetries are naturally formulated in the language of higher categories and fusion or braided tensor categories, with close connections to topology, homotopy theory, and higher algebra. These physical developments motivate rigorous mathematical definitions and further advances in the theory of higher fusion categories and related structures.
This conference aims to bring together researchers from physics and mathematics to discuss recent progress in the study of generalized symmetries and to promote a precise dictionary between physical concepts and their mathematical counterparts. By fostering cross-disciplinary interactions, we aim to stimulate new developments at the interface of physics and mathematics in the study of generalized global symmetries.
Invited Speakers:
-
Francesco Benini (SISSA)
-
Yichul Choi (IAS Princeton)
-
Mirjam Cvetič (University of Pennsylvania)
-
Arun Debray (University of Kentucky)
-
Markus Dierigl (CERN)
-
Iñaki García-Etxebarria (Durham University)
-
Diego García-Sepúlveda (Harvard University)
-
Justin Kaidi (Kyushu University)
-
Sungjay Lee (KIAS)
-
Ruben Minasian (IPhT Saclay)
-
Du Pei (University of Southern Denmark)
-
Pavel Putrov (ICTP, Trieste)
-
Sakura Schäfer-Nameki (University of Oxford)
-
Takahilo Tanaka (YITP, Kyoto University)
-
Mayuko Yamashita (Perimeter Institute)
Organizers:
-
Saghar S. Hosseini (Kavli IPMU)
-
Yuji Tachikawa (Kavli IPMU)
-
Masahito Yamazaki (Kavli IPMU & School of Science, University of Tokyo)
-
Hao Y. Zhang (Kavli IPMU)
-
Yi Zhang (Kavli IPMU)