Special Varieties and where to Find ThemLecture

by Dr David Urbanik

Monday Nov 10, 2025, 10:00 AM → 10:45 AM Europe/Berlin

MPIM, Vivatsgasse, 7 - Lecture Hall (Max Planck Institute for Mathematics)

We explain what makes an algebraic variety special, and how often one should expect to find special varieties within a given family. The study of such questions takes us on a journey through various topics in differential algebra, transcendence, and arithmetic. We then explain how tools from these areas are applied to answer various classical questions about special moduli and their distribution in families, with an emphasis on recent work by the speaker.