The Geometry of the Word Problem for Finitely Generated Groups

The advanced course on The geometry of the word problem for fnitely presented groups was held July 5-15, 2005, at the Centre de Recerca Matematica ̀ in B- laterra (Barcelona). It was aimed at young researchersand recent graduates int- ested in geometricapproachesto grouptheory,in particular,to the wordproblem. Three eight-hour lecture series were delivered and are the origin of these notes. There were also problem sessions and eight contributed talks. The course was the closing activity of a research program on The geometry of the word problem, held during the academic year 2004-05 .