Inaugural Women in
Operator Algebras
Workshop a Success
Dawn Archey, University of Detroit Mercy
Background
In November 2018, 36 women in operator algebras
met at the Banff International Research Station (BIRS) to
collaborate in small groups on open research problems in thefield. The workshop was a success by any metric: researchquestions were refined, theorems were proved, and professional networks were extended and strengthened.
Operator algebras is a very active branch of functional analysis. Its rich yet rigid structure admits a powerfulgeneral theory. Operator algebras have important applications
to quantum mechanics, number theory, dynamical systems,and ergodic theory. Unfortunately, even compared to otherareas of mathematics, operator algebras has suffered from asevere gender imbalance. Only 11% of authors posting in
the operator algebras subject of the ArXiv are women, thesecond lowest of any mathematical subject on the ArXiv.*
In light of these low participation numbers andinspired by previous “Women in …” workshops such as
Women in Number Theory, Astrid an Huef (Victoria University of Wellington), Sarah Arklint (University of Copenhagen), Karen Strung (Radboud University), and Dilian Yang
(University of Windsor) applied to hold the first Womenin Operator Algebras Workshop at the Banff International
Research Station (BIRS). The application was successful, andBIRS provided all accommodation and meals, and very goodworking facilities. We also received some funding towards
the cost of travel for some participants from the NSF-HRD
1500481–AWM ADVANCE grant and from the Compositio Foundation. We are very grateful for all the support wehave received.
Prior to the workshop, the women organized themselves into teams focusing on a research question to which
they could contribute. The research groups were:* Abra Brisbin and Ursula Whitcher, “Women’s Representation in
Mathematics Subfields: Evidence from the ArXiv.” https://arxiv.org/abs/1509.07824

20 AWM Newsletter“Quantum majorization in infinite-dimensional Hilbert
Space,” led by Sarah Plosker with participation by Priyanga
Ganesan, Sasmita Patnaik, and Emily Redelmeier.
“Nuclearity of C*-algebras of quasi-lattice ordered groups,”
led by Astrid an Huef with participation by Brita
Nucinkis, Camila F. Sehnem, and Dilian Yang.
“Equilibrium states on semigroup C*-algebras and groupoids,” led by Nadia Larsen and Zahra Afsar with participation by Anna Duwenig, Carla Farsi, and Judy Packer,“Weyl groupoids and Cartan subalgebras for twistedk-graph C*-algebras,” led by Elizabeth Gillaspy andSarah Reznikoff with participation by Rachael Nortonand Sarah Wright.
“Twisted groupoid algebras and Cartan subalgebras,” ledby Lisa Orloff Clark with participation by Becky
Armstrong, Kristin Courtney, Ying-Fen Lin, Kathryn
McCormick, and Jacqui Ramagge.
“Generalized crossed products and large subalgebras,” led byDawn Archey and Karen Strung with participation byMaria Stella Adamo, Magdalena Georgescu, Ja A Jeong,and Maria Grazia Viola.
“Index theory and K-theory with applications to arithmeticgroups,” led by Maria Paula Gomez Aparicio and Hang
Wang with participation by Sara Azzali, Sarah Browne,
and Lauren Ruth.
“Quantum principal bundles and their C*-algebras,” led by
Francesca Arici and Chiara Pagani with participation by
Erin Griesenauer.

Nadia Larsen speaking on semigroup C*-algebras

Volume 49, Number 1 • January–February 2019

Participants also took advantage of the location fora group hike up Tunnel Mountain and a visit to a current
art installation by Young Joon Kwak at the Banff Center
called “The Cave” which works with the themes of the mancave, the body, heteronormative culture, and national parks.
One evening was devoted to a group discussion facilitatedby Carla Farsi (University of Colorado, Boulder), Ying-Fen
Lin (Queen’s University Belfast), and Jacqui Ramagge(University of Sydney) on the issues faced by women in mathematics in general and in operator algebras in particular.
Several of the groups were so pleased with their progress and prospects for future success that they have alreadymade arrangements to meet again.

Hang Wang explaining the project she will lead

Most of the workshop was spent working in thesesmall groups, but on Monday and Friday each small groupgave a ten minute presentation to all participants on theirproject and progress.

Magdalena Georgescu on Tunnel Mountainwith her husband and daughter

Research on napkins really does happen

Volume 49, Number 1 • January–February 2019

Happy hikers at the top, Tunnel Mountain excursion

AWM Newsletter21