We discuss selected topics on the topology of moduli spaces of curves and maps, emphasizing their relation with Gromov--Witten theory and integrable systems.

A reconstruction theorem for genus 0 gravitational quantum cohomology and quantum K-theory is proved. A new linear equivalence in the Picard group of the moduli space of genus 0 stable maps relating the pull-backs of line bundles from the target via different markings is used for the reconstruction result. Examples of calculations in quantum cohomology and quantum K-theory are given.

We give a definition of character sheaves on the group compactification which is equivalent to Lusztig's definition in [G. Lusztig, Parabolic character sheaves, II, Mosc. Math. J. 4 (4) (2004) 869896]. We also prove some properties of the character sheaves on the group compactification.