UBC Algebraic Geometry Seminar: Ben Davison

The Tutte polynomial of a graph is a two-variable polynomial, which is the universal polynomial satisfying deletion contraction recursion. In this talk I will explain how this polynomial arises from considering the cohomology of hypertoric varieties (which I'll introduce) along with the two (not one!) filtrations by cohomological degree, coming from symplectic duality (which I will also introduce).