VvL Essentials Talks

VvL Essentials talks are relatively high-level and broad overviews, that introduce early-career logicians (specifically PhDs) and logic-adjacent researchers to a field they may not be familiar with. This forms a low-threshold way to broaden their knowledge of the field at large, and encourages collaborations. The talks will be hosted at different universities within the Netherlands, and they will have a hybrid format - for those who attend in person, drinks and snacks will be provided afterwards!

Upcoming edition: Algebraic Logic Essentials

For the fourth edition of this seminar, the details are as follows:

Speakers: Apostolos Tzimoulis and Giuseppe Greco
Title: Algebraic Logic Essentials
When: Friday 29 November, 16:00
Where: Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, room HG 6A-33, or online via Zoom
Directions: The room is on the sixth floor of the main building (De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam). Here you can find the map, where the relevant building is called "main building": https://vu.nl/en/about-vu/more-about/vu-campus-map.
Organizers:  Nima Motamed (PhD student at Utrecht University), and Giovanni Varricchione (PhD student at Utrecht University), Rodrigo Almeida (PhD student at the ILLC)

Abstract: Algebraic logic explores the relationships between algebra and logic, with the primary aim of using algebraic methods to address logical problems, and vice versa in most recent years. In this lecture, we will introduce algebraic logic, briefly covering examples from classical propositional logic, intuitionistic logic, modal logics, relevance logics, and substructural logics. This discussion will naturally lead to the significant general findings by Blok and Pigozzi on algebraizable logics. The bridge between algebra and logic has been used to transfer many interesting properties, for instance interpolation properties corresponding to amalgamation properties or p-morphic images corresponding to subalgebras. After surveying the central ideas and key results in the field, we will focus on recent applications that led to an unexpected connection between correspondence theory and structural proof theory.

Past Editions:

Social Choice Essentials

In particular, this edition will be hosted as a special edition of the AI & Logic seminar series at the University of Groningen. Details are as follows:

Speaker: Davide Grossi
Title: Social Choice Essentials
When: Tuesday 21 May, 15:00
Where: University of Groningen, Linnaeusborg room 5173.0151, or remotely (via this Zoom link)
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FHxDpqPYCfWUmxfb9
Organizers: Rodrigo Almeida (PhD student at the ILLC), Nima Motamed (PhD student at Utrecht University), and Giovanni Varricchione (PhD student at Utrecht University)

Abstract: In this lecture I will review some important contributions of social choice theory to our thinking about democracy, and the way we practice it: from classical results to more recent advances actively supporting contemporary democratic innovations.

Dynamic Epistemic Logic Essentials (November 28, 2023)

Speaker: Rustam Galimullin (University of Bergen)
Title: Dynamic Epistemic Logic Essentials
Where: Utrecht University, Ruppertgebouw room 0.05, or online.
Organizers: Rodrigo Almeida (PhD student at the ILLC), Nima Motamed (PhD student at Utrecht University), and Giovanni Varricchione (PhD student at Utrecht University)

Abstract: Dynamic epistemic logic (DEL) is an umbrella term for a numerous family of formalisms for reasoning about how agents’ knowledge or beliefs change as a result of various epistemic actions. Such actions capture a plethora of scenarios: public and private announcements, observations, eavesdropping, etc. In the lecture, we will get acquainted with some of the classic DELs, flesh out some of the overarching patterns and intuitions in the field, and introduce foundational concepts and results. Moreover, we will survey the current state of the art and recent exciting research directions within DEL.  For the lecture, I will not assume any familiarity with DEL or modal logics in general.

Here are also the slides of the talk.

Proof Theory Essentials (October 23, 2023)

Speaker: Marianna Girlando (ILLC)
Title: Proof Theory Essentials
Where: ILLC (room F1.15), or on Zoom
Organizers: Rodrigo Almeida (PhD student at the ILLC), Giovanni Varricchione (PhD student at Utrecht University)

Abstract: In this lecture we will introduce the basics of proof theory, explain how it came about, and outline (some of) the main results in the field. Using classical and intuitionistic first-order logic as a case study, we will first present the rules of sequent calculus. Then, we will sketch the cut-elimination proof and discuss its significance in the context of proving the consistency of arithmetic. Finally, if time permits, we will look at some more recent developments in proof theory, namely at proof systems for modal and non-classical logics.