Some aspects of topological dynamics of Polish groups (with an introduction to descriptive set theory)

Abstract

The first part of these notes give an introduction to the theory of Polish group actions on compact Hausdorff spaces, leading up to a proof of the Kechris-Pestov-Todorcevic correspondence and discussions of properties of universal minimal flows. The second part proveides some background on descriptive set theory and culminates with B. Miller's proof of the ${\mathcal{G}}_0$-dichotomy theorem due to Kechris, Solecki, and Todorcevic.

To appear as volume 34 of "Cours Spécialisés de la Société Mathématique de France"