PROBABILISTIC METHOD AND WD: Third Annual Workshop

A workshop held from March 23-30, 2008 at McGill University's Bellairs Institute in Holetown, barbados.

Synopsis

A small group of researchers discusses new directions and open problems in the area of probabilistic methods in combinatorics and graph theory. Topics this year include isoperimetric concentration inequalities, random expander graphs, Reed's conjecture on coloring, the diameter of the minimal spanning tree of a random complete graph, and the evolution of various models of random graphs.

CARP stands for Combinatorics, Algorithms, Randomization and Probability, four themes that define the common research interests of Louigi Addario-Berry (Université de Montréal), Luc Devroye (McGill University) and Bruce Reed (McGill University). Its founders hope to increase the level of activity in this area in Montreal's academic institutions through seminars, workshops, conferences, courses, student supervision, postdoctoral hosting, brainstorming and other scholarly endeavours.

Contact

Contact CARP through the web sites of its founders, or by email: laddar@cs.mcgill.ca, lucdevroye@gmail.com, breed@cs.mcgill.ca.

One possible mailing address: School of Computer Science, McGill University, 3480 University Street, Montreal, Canada H3A 2A7.

Physical coordinates: Luc Devroye and Bruce Reed are in rooms 300N and 301N of McGill University's McConnell Engineering Building. Louigi Addario-Berry is in the Aisenstadt Building at the Université de Montréal.

Participants

  • From McGill University, Montreal: Bruce Reed (organizer), Luc Devroye, Ross Kang, Neil Olver, Andrew King, James King, Victor Campos, Sean Kennedy, Vida Dujmovic.
  • From INRIA, Versailles: Nicolas Broutin.
  • From Oxford University: Colin McDiarmid, Louigi Addario-Berry.
  • From Caltech: Peter Keevash.
  • From the University of Birmingham: Nicolas Fountoulakis.
  • From INRIUA Sofia-Antipolis, France: Omid Amini.
  • From Rutgers University, New Jersey: Bill Steiger.
  • From Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona: Gabor Lugosi.

Location

The workshop takes place at McGill University's Bellairs Institute in Holetown, Barbados, on the west side of the island. It can be reached from Grantley Adams airport in about 40 minutes by taxi (58 Barbados dollars, or 29 US dollars) and in about 100 minutes by city bus (1.50 Barbados dollars).`

Barbadopedia

Barbados is safe.

US currency can be used at the ratye of two Barbados dollars for one US dollar. There are plenty of ATM machines all over the islan including in the departure area of the airport) that have access to the major banks in North America. All major US and Canadian bank cards work fine.

Bring mosquito repellant. There are (infrequent) outbreaks of dengue feer, so check ahead of time. In the recent past, dengue has not been a problem.

There are computers on campus with access to the internet. Bellairs is fully covered by a wireless network called Bellairs Bucko. There is a small chargefor the use of this network.

Accomodation

The accomodation is basic but very charming. The rates vary per room (basic rooms, newer apartments, or rooms in Seabourne House). The basic rooms run about 40 US dollars per person per night. The organizers will assign the rooms according to some secret optimization algorithm.

Dinner is at 6:15pm, Monday through Friday, and is povided by the Bellairs cook. Each m,eal costs 25 US dollars.

Breakfast is provided as well, at 5 dollars per meal.

Lunches are typically had in neaerby restaurants or fast food places. There is also a "lunch truck" that passes daily around noon ($7.50 US per meal).