Memorial University of Newfoundland
Atlantic Association for Research in the Mathematical Sciences
Atlantic Algebra Centre 

Introduction to Chow motives
and applications

Mini course by

Professor Kirill Zaynullin

University of Ottawa

November 16 - 20, 2026

From November 16 to November 20, 2026, Professor Kirill Zaynullin from the University of Ottawa will give an introductory mini course on Chow motives and applications.

Abstract: Grothendieck–Chow motives provide a framework for studying algebraic varieties through correspondences rather than ordinary morphisms, allowing one to isolate and compare their essential geometric and cohomological features. They unify many classical invariants in algebraic geometry, such as Chow groups, K-theories, and oriented cohomology theories into a single categorical setting. Motivic decompositions often reveal hidden geometric structures and symmetries of varieties, especially for quadrics and various flag varieties. The theory of motives also plays a central role in the study of rationality problems, algebraic groups, and arithmetic geometry through tools such as Rost nilpotence and motivic equivalence.

The minicourse will consist of five lectures of 90 minutes each, which will be aimed at students, primarily at the graduate level. The first two lectures will introduce some background material (projective varieties, intersection theory, linear algebraic groups and homogeneous spaces). The last 3 lectures will be dedicated to motives of homogeneous spaces, their properties and to various examples of motivic decompositions.

The lectures will take place at the St. John's campus of Memorial University and will be broadcast via Webex. 

For further information, please contact aac@mun.ca.

A limited support is available for students. If you wish to apply, please send your CV and a recommendation letter from your supervisor to aac@mun.ca no later than November 1, 2026.