Particle accelerators have numerous applications across many fields including fundamental research, healthcare, electronics, environment and energy, but despite the vast benefits of accelerators for our everyday life the whole research area is still pretty much unknown to the majority of people.
An international Symposium ‘Accelerators for Science and Society’ that took place at the Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre on Friday 28 June 2019, aimed to inspire students with the possibilities of this rapidly evolving field and provided an insight into the economic, scientific and societal benefits of particle accelerators. The event has been a great success with delegates comprising 100 researchers from across Europe and over 150 local high school students and teachers.
Renowned speakers such as Prof Maria Fasli (University of Essex), Dr Simon Jolly (UCL) and Dr Michael Doser (CERN) addressed the wider public and provided a unique insight into cutting-edge accelerator research with a focus on areas that are being studied by experts at the Cockcroft Institute. The presentations discussed the future of big data science, antimatter research and the links between particle physics research and cancer treatment.
In addition, international best-selling author and educator Curtis Jobling highlighted the importance of art and creative subjects and how the inquiring mind can become the leader in industry.
All talks were live-streamed to institutions across Europe and are now available to watch via the event website.
The event was coordinated by Prof Carsten Welsch of the University of Liverpool and the Cockcroft Institute, and organised by the H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie training networks AVA and OMA, as well as the Liverpool Big Data Science Centre for Doctoral Training (LIV.DAT). It was supported by the Cockcroft Institute where all talks were on live-streamed in the Walton rooms for students, postdocs and staff.
Early stage researchers from all three training initiatives presented their research in the form of posters and gave young delegates the opportunity to experience science up close through a number of interactive demonstrations that the scientists developed specifically for this event.
Professor Welsch said: “The Cockcroft Institute has had a lead role in training the next generation of accelerator experts for more than a decade. It is fantastic to see the outstanding research results that have resulted from our three most recent training initiatives and how our Fellows are engaging with the next generation of scientists and engineers at the event today. Science is a global endeavour and Fellows are perfect ambassadors for the collaborative and interdisciplinary skills that modern research requires.”
More information and all talks can be accessed via the event homepage.