There will be a Joint Summer Research Conference titled "Commutative Algebra: Presentations by Young Researchers", at the Snowbird Summer Resort in Snowbird, Utah, July 20-24, 2003.

The goal of the conference is to bring together young researchers in several areas of commutative algebra, in order to provide a showcase for important new ideas and to encourage collaboration among participants. All research talks will be given by mathematically young researchers, primarily those no more than two or three years beyond the Ph.D. and graduate students in their final year of study. The conference will focus on the following topics: (1) homological methods in commutative algebra, (2) characteristic p methods and tight closure, (3) combinatorics and commutative algebra, (4) representation theory of local rings. Each topic will be introduced by an expository talk, and informal discussions will follow the research talks.

The following have tentatively agreed to give expository talks and/or lead discussion sessions:

Luchezar Avramov, University of Nebraska
Juergen Herzog, Universität Essen
Craig Huneke, University of Kansas
Irena Peeva, Purdue University
Karen Smith, University of Michigan
Roger Wiegand, University of Nebraska

In order to ensure ample time for informal discussions and mathematical interaction, there will be no contributed talks. The total number of research talks will be 30 - 35. It is expected that some support will be available for those wishing to attend talks and participate in the informal discussions. For further information, contact Roger Wiegand.

The scientific committee for the conference consists of Craig Huneke, Jurgen Herzog, and Roger Wiegand

update 30 July 03: We've posted some photos from the conference. Go see!

Also, Laura Matusevich is mirroring slides and other photos from the meeting. Thanks, Laura!

Liana Sega also has a bunch of gorgeous photos from a hike near Snowbird.