Classification problems in 2-representation theory (Q2404590)

This article surveys recent advances and future challenges in the \(2\)-representation theory of finitary \(2\)-categories with a particular emphasis on problems related to classification of various classes of \(2\)-representations. The series of papers by the author and \textit{V. Miemietz} [Compos. Math. 147, No. 5, 1519--1545 (2011; Zbl 1232.17015); Mosc. Math. J. 14, No. 3, 595--615 (2014; Zbl 1342.17003); Quantum Topol. 7, No. 1, 1--28 (2016; Zbl 1346.18009); Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 368, No. 11, 7623--7644 (2016; Zbl 1365.18006); Math. Z. 282, No. 1--2, 411--434 (2016; Zbl 1375.18037)] took higher representation theory to a more abstract level. These papers started a systematic study of abstract \(2\)-analogues of finite dimensional algebras, called finitary \(2\)-categories, and their representation theory. Despite of the fact that the \(2\)-category of 2-representations of an abstract finitary \(2\)-category is much more complicated than the category of modules over a finite dimensional algebra (in particular, it is not abelian), it turned out that, in many cases, it is possible to construct, compare and even classify various classes of \(2\)-representations. These kinds of problems were recently studied in a number of papers, e.g., [\textit{T. Kildetoft} et al., ``Simple transitive 2-representations of small quotients of Soergel bimodules'', Preprint, \url{arXiv:1605.01373}; \textit{M. Mackaay} and \textit{V. Mazorchuk}, J. Pure Appl. Algebra 221, No. 3, 565--587 (2017; Zbl 1404.18013); \textit{V. Mazorchuk} and \textit{V. Miemietz}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 368, No. 11, 7623--7644 (2016; Zbl 1365.18006); \textit{X. Zhang}, ``Simple transitive 2-representations and Drinfeld center for some finitary 2-categories'', Preprint, \url{arXiv:1506.02402}]. The aim of the present article is to give an overview of these results with a particular emphasis on open problems and future challenges.