The interview | Mark Thompson
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CERN is a unique and special place that is dedicated to furthering humankind’s understanding of the universe at its most fundamental level. This is made possible thanks to amazing people who build incredible instruments through collaborative efforts spread across the globe. For more than 70 years, CERN has brought nations together in the pursuit of knowledge, reaching far beyond what can be achieved by any single nation. That’s something I think we all can feel proud of!
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Geneva is the natural home for CERN, standing alongside other international organisations in the heart of Europe. Many partnerships with mutual benefit exist between CERN and the Geneva ecosystem, promoting science and technology and helping to create fertile ground for innovation.
To give a few examples, last year a highly innovative thermal network was inaugurated that recovers waste heat from the Large Hadron Collider to supply a new residential area in the commune of Ferney-Voltaire, and CERN collaborated with the University of Geneva, Rolex and other local entities to establish Geneva’s first quantum network. We also have strong partnerships with Geneva University Hospitals in digital healthcare and radioisotope development.
In autumn 2027 we will be holding the CERN Open Days, offering a fantastic opportunity to celebrate science with the wider Canton.
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CERN’s scientific mission often requires us to develop technologies that do not yet exist, acting as a trailblazer for innovation related to particle accelerators, particle detectors, and computing – many of which spill over into broader society. The World Wide Web is a famous example. Another is the application of CERN accelerator technology to next-generation cancer therapies. The international dimension of CERN and the unique collaborative environment of particle physics provide a unique environment for innovation.
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One of the great things about working at CERN is almost every day you learn about something new and incredible, whether it’s through the instruments we build or the scientific results that they enable.
I never tire of seeing the Large Hadron Collider and its vast experiments underground. These machines truly are marvels of modern technology and engineering, and it is mindboggling that they all work so brilliantly. Recently I visited a full-scale test stand that we are preparing for a major upgrade to the LHC beginning this summer. It packs incredible technology, including advanced superconducting materials that have potential applications outside particle physics. Earlier this year, one of CERN’s experiments demonstrated the first ever transportation of trapped antimatter as it journeyed around CERN’s Meyrin campus – this is science fiction becoming reality.
But overall, the dedication, skill and professionalism of the CERN community is constant source of inspiration for me as Director-General.
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Multi-cultural. Beautiful. European.