Following the line of [this][1] question, I'm in my last year of M.Sc., and I'm looking for a place where I can start my PHD. Since that question has been asked 4 years ago, I thought it may be wise to ask whether something has changed. 

That is, there are new research groups/universities in the area? The old ones are still active?

  [1]: http://mathoverflow.net/q/45812/49870