Algebra/Topology Seminar

Speaker: Louis Hainaut

Title: A classifying space for the handlebody mapping class group

Abstract: In joint work with Dan Petersen we described a classifying space for the mapping class group of (3-dimensional) handlebodies as an explicit open subspace of the moduli space of surfaces. During this talk I will introduce the necessary definitions, describe our construction, and explain part of the proof. At the end of the talk I will also present some consequences for the cohomology of the handlebody mapping class group.