Professor Dugald Macpherson

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Research interests

I work in model theory (mathematical logic) and adjacent areas of permutation group theory and combinatorics. Particular interests include the following:

  1. Model theory of valued fields, from the viewpoint of generalised stability theory -- issues around definability in henselian fields.
  2. Generalisations of o-minimality (structure theory arising from restrictions on one-variable definable sets).
  3. Model theory of finite and pseudofinite structures -- for example, model-theoretic consequences of asymptotic uniformities on sizes of definable sets.
  4. Model theory of groups -- e.g. groups in stable and simple theories, model theory of finite groups.
  5. Abstract model theory -- generalisations of stability, connections to combinatorial conditions such as Vapnik-Chervonenkis density.
  6. Infinite permutation groups -- often arising as automorphism groups of first order structures.
  7. Homogeneous structures in the sense of Fraisse, and omega-categoricity. There are connections to permutation groups and combinatorics, and more recent connections to Ramsey theory, topological dynamics, and constraint satisfaction.
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

  • D.Phil, (Oxford University), 1983

Professional memberships

  • London Mathematical Society
  • British Logic Colloquium
  • European Mathematical Society

Research groups and institutes

  • Pure Mathematics
  • Logic

Current postgraduate researchers

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>