The Geometric Topology group at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is one of the most active in the department. Ric Ancel, Craig Guilbault, Boris Okun and Chris Hruska are the regular faculty members in this area. Jim Arnold (an algebraic topologist) supports the program by teaching frequent courses in algebraic topology.

Regularly offered topology courses include a one semester undergraduate course in Elementary Topology , a yearlong graduate sequence titled Introductory Topology, and a yearlong graduate sequence in Algebraic Topology. For students specializing in topology 'advanced topics' courses are frequently offered. Topics recently covered in those courses include: differential topology, dimension theory, topological manifolds and polyhedra, surgery theory, and various aspects of geometric group theory.

In addition to formal courses, the Topology Seminar meets twice weekly. There faculty and graduate students discuss and present current research. In addition, a Student Topology Seminar allows graduate students to learn material not covered in their regular coursework. Some recent student seminars have focused on: the geometry of surfaces and covering spaces, dimension theory, CAT(0) geometry, Gromov hyperbolic spaces and groups, piecewise linear topology, knot theory, and the geometry and topology of 3-manifolds.

Ancel, Guilbault, Okun and Hruska all have active research programs. Ancel and Guilbault have both been at UWM for a number of years and have written several papers jointly. Okun joined the UWM topology group in the fall of 2001; Hruska came to Milwaukee in 2006. Areas of interest include: manifold topology, differential and CAT(0) geometry, and geometric group theory.

Interest in geometric topology and geometric group theory amongst UWM graduate students is at an all-time high. Currently there are seven students working on dissertations in those areas. Recent UWM Ph.D. graduates in geometric topology and geometric group theory include: