Dirac sigma models from gauging

The G/G WZW model results from the WZW-model by a standard procedure
of gauging. G/G WZW models are members of Dirac sigma models, which also contain
twisted Poisson sigma models as other examples. We show how the general class of Dirac
sigma models can be obtained from a gauging procedure adapted to Lie algebroids in the
form of an equivariantly closed extension. The rigid gauge groups are generically infinite
dimensional and a standard gauging procedure would give a likewise infinite number of
1-form gauge fields; the proposed construction yields the requested finite number of them.
Although physics terminology is used, the presentation is kept accessible also for a
mathematical audience.