This volume contains the proceedings of the Stanford Symposium on Algebraic Topology: Applications and New Directions, held from July 23-27, 2012, at Stanford University, Stanford, California. The symposium was held in honor of Gunnar Carlsson, Ralph Cohen and Ib Madsen, who celebrated their 60th and 70th birthdays that year. It showcased current research in Algebraic Topology reflecting the celebrants' broad interests and profound influence on the subject. The topics varied broadly from stable equivariant homotopy theory to persistent homology and application in data analysis, covering topological aspects of quantum physics such as string topology and geometric quantization, examining homology stability in algebraic and geometric contexts, including algebraic -theory and the theory of operads.

In 1989-90 the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute conducted a program on Algebraic Topology and its Applications. The main areas of concentration were homotopy theory, K-theory, and applications to geometric topology, gauge theory, and moduli spaces. Workshops were conducted in these three areas. This volume consists of invited, expository articles on the topics studied during this program. They describe recent advances and point to possible new directions. They should prove to be useful references for researchers in Algebraic Topology and related fields, as well as to graduate students.

This volume presents the proceedings from the conference on ''Topology, Geometry, and Algebra: Interactions and New Directions'' held in honor of R. James Milgram at Stanford University in August 1999. The meeting brought together distinguished researchers from a variety of areas related to algebraic topology and its applications. Papers in the book present a wide range of subjects, reflecting the nature of the conference. Topics include moduli spaces, configuration spaces, surgerytheory, homotopy theory, knot theory, group actions, and more. Particular emphasis was given to the breadth of interaction between the different areas.

This volume presents the proceedings from the conference on ``Topology, Geometry, and Algebra: Interactions and New Directions'' held in honor of R. James Milgram at Stanford University in August 1999. The meeting brought together distinguished researchers from a variety of areas related to algebraic topology and its applications. Papers in the book present a wide range of subjects, reflecting the nature of the conference. Topics include moduli spaces, configuration spaces, surgerytheory, homotopy theory, knot theory, group actions, and more. Particular emphasis was given to the breadth of interaction between the different areas.

Algebraic topology is a basic part of modern mathematics, and some knowledge of this area is indispensable for any advanced work relating to geometry, including topology itself, differential geometry, algebraic geometry, and Lie groups. This book provides a detailed treatment of algebraic topology both for teachers of the subject and for advanced graduate students in mathematics either specializing in this area or continuing on to other fields. J. Peter May's approach reflects the enormous internal developments within algebraic topology over the past several decades, most of which are largely unknown to mathematicians in other fields. But he also retains the classical presentations of various topics where appropriate. Most chapters end with problems that further explore and refine the concepts presented. The final four chapters provide sketches of substantial areas of algebraic topology that are normally omitted from introductory texts, and the book concludes with a list of suggested readings for those interested in delving further into the field.