Twenty-Ninth Annual Victorian Algebra Conference

VAC29

Thursday December 1 – Friday December 2, 2011

Mathematics and Statistics

La Trobe University, Victoria 3086, Australia

The aim of the annual Victorian Algebra Conference is to foster communication between algebraists in Australia in general and in Victoria in particular. We interpret algebra quite broadly, including areas such as topological algebra, algebraic logic, graph theory and coding theory. The conference is run by the Victorian Algebra Group, which has been a special interest group of the Australian Mathematical Society since 1988.

We particularly encourage talks by students. Most students talk about original research undertaken as part of their thesis. But beginning students can give a survey talk on their thesis topic. Students should feel free to give the same talk at the VAC and the AustMS meeting. There is a prize for the best student talk: see below.

REGISTRATION AND ABSTRACTS

There is no fee for registration.

• • Register for VAC29 (for those who attended VAC25, VAC26, VAC27, VAC28 or VAC29)

  • Register for VAC29 (new participants)

• View registrations

  • Submit an abstract

• View abstracts

• Timetable

  • The talks will be held in the different venues on the two days; see about the venue below.

  • The duration of general presentations will be 25 minutes plus 5 minutes for questions.

The Conference Dinner will be held on Thursday evening at Namaste in Bundoora: click here for reviews. The cost will be $34/head and $20/head for students.

ABOUT THE VENUE

A map of the La Trobe campus can be found here. The lecture venues are as follows:

• • Thursday December 1: Room 110 in Physical Sciences 2. This is the ground floor of the building in which the department of Mathematics and Statistics is housed. See D7 on the map - indicated by a red arrow. The nearest car park is P2.

  • Friday December 2: the Davidson Room on Level 2 of Glenn College. This is on the opposite side of the campus from the Mathematics and Statistics building. See G6 on the map - indicated by a red arrow. The nearest car park is P6.

• The lecture rooms contain computer projection and a white board. Please bring presentations on a memory stick. Both PDF and PowerPoint (pttx) are supported.

TRAVEL GRANTS

We particularly encourage graduate students to give presentations on their work. All graduate students from Australian universities, regardless of their intention to give a talk, are entitled to apply to the organisers for a small travel contribution. (The amount will depend on the number of applicants.) This contribution is given as a cheque upon presentation of travel and/or accommodation receipts to at least the value of the amount being reimbursed.

Australian participants in financial need may also apply for a small travel contribution. Participants should indicate on the registration form if they wish to apply for assistance. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide any contribution to costs for non-Australian participants.

THE GORDON PRESTON PRIZE

The Gordon Preston Prize is awarded for the best presentation at the VAC given by a current student based at an Australian university. The presentations will be judged by a panel appointed by the executive committee. The winner of the prize will receive $200. The Rules for the Gordon Preston Prize are available here.

ACCOMMODATION

If you need help finding accommodation, please contact the conference organiser (m.g.jackson@latrobe.edu.au) as soon as possible.

CONFERENCE DINNER

The Conference Dinner will be held on Thursday evening at Namaste Indian Restaurant in Bundoora: click here for reviews. The cost will be $34/head and $20/head for students.

CONFERENCE ORGANISERS

• • Prof Brian Davey

  • email: B.Davey@latrobe.edu.au

  • phone: (03) 9479 2599

  • Dr Marcel Jackson

  • email: m.g.jackson@latrobe.edu.au

  • phone: (03) 9479 1570

  • Dr Deborah Jackson

  • email: D.Jackson@latrobe.edu.au

  • phone: (03) 9479 3958

  • Dr Todd Niven

  • email: D.Jackson@latrobe.edu.au

  • phone: (03) 9479 2597

SPONSORS

• Australian Mathematical Society

  • Department of Mathematics and Statistics, La Trobe University

GETTING THERE

For information on bus, train and tram timetables you should consult the following websites.

• Metropolitan train timetables

• Metropolitan bus timetables

• Metropolitan tram timetables

Tram

The number 86 tram passes by the northern end of the campus. Get off at stop 60 on the intersection of Plenty Road with Kingsbury Drive/Dunn Street; this is at coordinates A3 on the campus map. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes to reach Physical Sciences 2 (the conference venue), after a lengthy tram ride from the city centre (about an hour). The tram stop number 60 is the northernmost stop in Zone 1.

Bus

There are a number of bus routes finishing at La Trobe University; you are advised to search the Metropolitan bus timetable site for suitable options. At least one bus route leaves from the city area; the travelling time is around 45 minutes (search the timetables for more precise information).

Train

Train access to La Trobe University's Melbourne campus is possible only by combining with bus or moderate length walk; it is not recommended except for those who really like trains. The university is situated between two train lines, with neither being particularly close.

From the Hurstbridge Line: Method 1. The closest line is the Hurstbridge line, with Macleod Station (in Zone 2), a good 25 minutes walk from the university. Navigation from Macleod Station to the university is also slightly nontrivial, though pleasant enough. The 561 bus also passes Macleod station and goes through the university.

From the Hurstbridge Line: Method 2. A reasonable alternative is to train to the Heidelberg station then catch the 551 bus from Heidelberg to La Trobe University. This stays completely within Zone 1.

From the Epping Line. The other "nearby" trainline is the Epping Line: the closest station is the Reservoir station, which is probably around 30 to 40 minutes walk away. More practical would be to catch the 561 bus, which passes Reservoir station, goes through La Trobe University (and continues on past Macleod station).

Bicycle

You are advised to consult a road or bicycle map for finer details. There is reasonable bicycle access to La Trobe from the south along the Darebin creek trail. Alternatively, if you have come northward through Preston along St George's Road and the bike path next to the Epping line train, you will emerge at High Street in Reservoir. The footpath (next to the actual reservoirs) to Reservoir station from here is shared bicycle/pedestrian, then The Broadway has an excellent bicycle lane. From here it is possible to navigate to the Darebin Creek trails, though this is not a particularly direct route from this direction. More direct is to take roads (about 2 further kilometres) but they have only minor bike lanes.

By Car

If you are arriving by car, please park in the white car parking spaces (P2 on Thursday and P6 on Friday). Do not park in the red or green car parking spaces. Parking permits are freely available from the organisers at registration or during the day (for those who arrive late). Parking without a permit can result in a substantial fine. (There is free parking at carpark 2a; see B8 on the campus map.