Speaker: Paul Norbury, University of Melbourne
Title: Topological invariants of complex polynomials.

Abstract: A polynomial in two complex variables p : C² -> C can be studied
topologically in much the same way as a complex singularity is studied.
It defines a complex one dimensional family of curves p(x,y) = c as c
varies. Its topological invariants include the genus of its generic
fibre, the topological monodromy as c avoids irregular values, a link in
the three-sphere, and a second homology class in the compactified space of
genus g curves with n marked points, M_g,n, where the marked points are
the points at infinity on each curve p(x,y) = c. This will be an
introductory lecture describing the different ingredients involved in the
construction of these topological invariants.