CERN Board determines new European strategy for particle physics
On May 30, the CERN Board approved an update of the European strategy for particle physics during a special meeting in Brussels. The Netherlands is one of the founders of CERN. Since the original European strategy from 2006, particle physics has made enormous progress. CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has delivered crucial results in recent years, such as the discovery of the Higgs particle, in which researchers from Nikhef were closely involved. On a global scale particle physics is developing further. The updated strategy reflects this.
From the Netherlands both Frank Linde (director Nikhef) and Sijbrand de Jong (Nikhef researcher, professor at Radboud University Nijmegen and scientific representative of the Netherlands on the CERN Board) were involved in drawing up the revised strategy. Nikhef's strategic plan for the coming years ties in superbly with the revised CERN strategy.
Professor Frank Linde, director Nikhef: "Big Science, such as elementary particle physics, requires excellent planning and long-term commitment. CERN, and in particular the Large Hadron Collider, are an outstanding example of this. It is fantastic that in its first operational period, the LHC has already made a major discovery: the Higgs particle. I am not surprised that the LHC will continue to be a top priority for the next ten years and I am looking forward to the next discovery it will make! Dark matter?"
Groundbreaking research
The strategy underlines the success of the European model for international research as applied through CERN, and emphasises the plan to continue with this model, also in the form of European involvement in global particle physics projects in regions outside of Europe. International collaborations in scientific research yield advantages in the areas of knowledge, innovation, education and training.
Professor Sijbrand de Jong, Nikhef researcher, professor at Radboud University Nijmegen and scientific representative of the Netherlands on the CERN Board: "The latest results from the LHC make it even clearer still that there must be more than the particles and interactions we know so far. The LHC is the first offensive in the hunt for new particles and phenomena, but new, large accelerators must help us further in the future. The European community of particle physicists welcomes that future and is open towards the construction of and participation in new facilities on a worldwide scale".
Dr. Jos Rokx, who represents the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science on the CERN Board: "CERN is the model example of an effective scientific organisation. That is apparent from the interest of countries outside of Europe, a collaboration that CERN is now open to as well".
Driving force
The European particle physics committee is a driving force behind innovation in Europe, with CERN as the birthplace of the World Wide Web and numerous other high-tech innovations. This community also devotes a lot of attention to education, training and science communication for the wider public. The new strategy provides a boost to further expand these attributes of European particle physics.
The updated strategy can be found in the brochure Accelerating science and innovation. Societal benefits of European research in particle physics. This can be downloaded via the website of CERN.
The full CERN press release can also be found on the website of CERN.
Further information
Prof.dr. Frank Linde, director Nikhef
Prof.dr. Sijbrand de Jong, Nikhef, Radboud University Nijmegen and scientific representative on the CERN Board