2008 Enrage + Itzykson Growth Program

Enrage Topical School On Growth and Shapes June 2-6, 2008 Institut Henri Poincaré, Paris	13th Itzykson meeting Puzzles of Growth June 9-11, 2008 Institut de Physique Théorique, Saclay

Under the generic name of "Growth" are collected a surprising variety of phenomena that occur in nature at all scales from crystals to galaxies. Growth concepts play an important role in all natural and social sciences.

Our quantitative understanding of most aspects of growth is still very embryonic. However in recent years important progress has been made on several aspects of growth and a fruitful interaction between physics and mathematics has emerged. Some of the spectacular conceptual advance deal with two dimensional systems and ambient geometry plays a crucial role. But the study of growth processes with no underlying geometry has also been very active and has found unexpected applications.

The Enrage Topical School "On Growth and Shapes" and the 13th Itzykson meeting "Puzzles of Growth" are two complementary events dedicated to these recent aspects of the study of growth phenomena.

The Enrage school will take place in Paris at the Institut Henri Poincaré from June 2 to June 6, 2008. It will consist of five introductory courses designated for PhD students and posdocs in physics and mathematics. The aim is a pedagogical presentation of basic concepts. But at the end the audience should be well prepared to understand the current trends of research.

The purpose of the 13th Itzykson meeting, which will take place from June 9 to June 11, 2008 at the Institut de Physique Théorique in Saclay is to present the recent advances in the study of growth phenomena, putting together mathematicians and physicists in a relaxed ambiance.