Speaker
Description
The large-scale environment is among the key factors that shape galaxy evolution, but, crucially, its impact on the cosmic growth and evolution of SMBHs is still poorly probed. Galaxy clusters in the local Universe host populations of galaxies and SMBHs that are typically more massive and evolved than in the field environment. Therefore, their high-redshift (z>2) progenitors are the best laboratories to study the environmental effects on galaxy and SMBH growth. I will review our current understanding of how the environment influences SMBH growth by focusing on studies of z>2 protoclusters that aim to probe the incidence and properties of the AGN in such structures, using both observational and theoretical approaches. Then, I will review the few examples of ongoing AGN feedback on the surrounding environment in dense regions of the high-redshift Universe, whose effect is expected to concur in shaping the observational properties of local clusters. Finally, I will discuss briefly the role that state-of-the-art and future facilities will play to improve our knowledge of the link between dense environment and SMBH evolution at high redshift.