Obscured accretion from AGN surveys
  Recent models of super-massive black hole (SMBH) and host galaxy joint
evolution predict the presence of a key phase where accretion, traced by
obscured Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) emission, is coupled with powerful star
formation. Then feedback processes likely self-regulate the SMBH growth and
quench the star-formation activity. AGN in this important evolutionary phase
have been revealed in the last decade via surveys at different wavelengths. On
the one hand, moderate-to-deep X-ray surveys have allowed a systematic search
for heavily obscured AGN, up to very high redshifts (z~5). On the other hand,
infrared/optical surveys have been invaluable in offering complementary methods
to select obscured AGN also in cases where the nuclear X-ray emission below 10
keV is largely hidden to our view. In this review I will present my personal
perspective of the field of obscured accretion from AGN surveys.
