Outer automorphism groups and bimodule categories of type II_1 factors

In this thesis we prove that every compact group arises as the outer automorphism goup of a II_1 factor. We also prove that the representation category of every compact group is equivalent to the category of bimodules over a II_1 factor. Several chapters of this thesis recall the main background material needed concerning bimodule categories over II_1 factors and minimal actions of compact groups on II_1 factors.