I will explain the universal construction in topological theory and topological quantum field theory, with a focus on one-dimensional cobordisms with defects, and their relationship to pesudocharacters, an essential tool in modern number theory, and characters. If I have time, I will also discuss their connections to pseudo-holonomies and holonomies.
This is joint with Mikhail Khovanov and Victor Ostrik.
This video was part of the Southeastern Lie Theory Workshop XIII.
