# Alberta Number Theory Days VII (15w2198)

Arriving in Banff, Alberta Friday, June 12 and departing Sunday June 14, 2015

## Organizers

(University of Lethbridge)

Manish Patnaik (University of Alberta)

Ander Steele (University of Calgary)

## Objectives

This conference is a unique opportunity for the Albertan Number Theory community to regroup and discuss the latest research progress in the field as well hear about the advances of Alberta's own researchers. In particular, the smaller intimate nature of the conference provides an ideal environment for younger researchers to introduce their work and connect with other well-established researchers in the province, but outside of their own universities.

Western Canada has always been one of the major Canadian centres for number theory. Alberta number theorists are working in a wide range of subdisciplines, including algebraic number theory (Weiss in Edmonton), analytic number theory (Akbary, Kadiri, and Ng, in Lethbridge), arithmetic geometry (Greenberg in Calgary), automorphic forms (Cunningham in Calgary, Patnaik in Edmonton), computational number theory (Bauer, Jacobson, Scheidler, and Williams in Calgary), and the interactions of number theory with mathematical physics (Gannon and Creutzig in Edmonton).

Not only are there a significant number of researchers in number theory in Alberta, but many of these number theorists share common areas of research. For instance, the study of $L$-functions, one of the main themes of modern number theory, is shared by Lethbridge (Akbary, Kadiri, Ng), Calgary (Cunningham, Greenberg), and Edmonton (Patnaik, Puskas) researchers. In the past few years there have been a number of important international number theory conferences in Alberta. These included the Canadian Number Theory Association XII Meeting (Lethbridge 2012, approximately 175 participants) and the workshop Analytic Aspects of $L$-functions and Applications to Number Theory (Calgary 2011, approximately 80 participants). The CNTA conference included talks by Fields Medallist Manjul Bhargava and by Harald Helfgott, who spoke on his work on the Odd Goldbach Conjecture. These conferences were partially supported by a 2010-2013 PIMS CRG on $L$-functions and Number Theory which incorporated the Alberta and British Columbia departments. Moreover, in 2016 the fourteenth meeting of the Canadian Number Theory Association Meeting will be hosted by the University of Calgary.

There are also some ongoing activities, including the weekly PIMS Number Theory and Combinatorics Seminar in Lethbridge (145 seminars since 2007). In addition, until 2012 there was an active inter-university seminar (West End Number Theory Seminar).

These events have been very helpful in solidifying Alberta's reputation as one of major research centres for number theory. They are also a major reason why ANTD has grown to a level beyond that of just a provincial meeting, and how ANTD has managed to invite top number theorists.

There have been six successful Alberta Number Theory Days conferences (Lethbridge 2008, Calgary 2009, BIRS 2010, BIRS 2011, BIRS 2013, BIRS 2014). These conferences have been a great inspiration for our community, specially for the younger researchers. It is a great event which exposes all the participants to topics outside their field of expertise. BIRS environment facilitates participants to share new ideas face to face and brings unique opportunities for students to engage with renowned researchers. Moreover this conference plays a significant role in strengthening our Alberta number theory community.