UK science community unites to mark 70 years of breakthroughs and international teamwork at CERN
The new UK government and leading figures from the physics community are today (Wednesday 18 September) giving their backing to Professor Mark Thomson’s vision for the future of CERN, as the global science community marks the institution’s 70th anniversary over the coming weeks.
CERN is the world’s foremost centre for particle physics research, and has made an unrivalled contribution to our understanding of the universe.
The UK is one of the 12 founding members of CERN and is its second-largest financial backer. We are proud to have been a critical contributor to all major experiments and discoveries at CERN, including the landmark discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012, with many UK researchers holding influential senior scientific positions in the organisation.
Breakthroughs made at CERN have quite literally changed the world. It was the birthplace of the World Wide Web - the brainchild of British scientist Sir Tim Berners-Lee - and advances in particle accelerator technology developed there have opened up new ways of treating cancer. CERN is proof that backing curiosity-driven science leads to innovations that deliver new jobs, new businesses, and ultimately economic growth and a better quality of life for everyone.
CERN’s anniversary comes at a critical time for its future, as a new Director-General for CERN will be selected this Autumn, following a vote amongst the organisation’s member states.
Renowned Cambridge University particle physicist Professor Mark Thomson is the UK’s candidate for the role, running on a platform to develop a strategic plan for CERN’s upcoming major investment decisions, strengthen links with all of CERN’s member states, and building an inclusive culture for CERN staff.
UK Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said:
Professor Mark Thomson said:
UK Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:
UK Minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty, said:
CERN faces decisions in the coming years that will shape its future profoundly – including the delivery of a major upgrade to the Large Hadron Collider.
If elected, Professor Thomson would develop an ambitious strategic plan for how CERN develops and makes major investment decisions over the next five years, would strengthen links with all of CERN’s member states, and would build an inclusive and supportive culture for CERN staff.
He has the exceptional scientific credentials and the experience required, to make a success of the role. Professor Thomson currently leads a scientific organisation of similar size and budget to CERN, the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), and is one of the most accomplished particle physicists of his generation, including more than two decades of experience in working on CERN projects.
Support for Professor Mark Thomson as the next Director-General of CERN
Tom Grinyer, CEO of the Institute of Physics, said:
Tara Shears, Vice-President for Science and Innovation at the Institute of Physics, Professor of Physics at the University of Liverpool, and Liverpool (Large Hadron Collider) [beauty experiment] lead said: