if $k[g]$ denotes the group algebra of g over the field k, then the trace map $tr : k[g] \to k$ picks off the identity coefficient of each element of the ring. in this talk, i will discuss what is known about traces of algebraic elements of $k[g]$. of particular interest are the traces of idempotents and nilpotent elements. if time permits, i will also consider analogous results for twisted group algebras.