‘A lever for the future’
Michel Moutschen, Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Liège (ULiège), discusses the potential impact of the Einstein Telescope (ET), ULiège’s involvement in this revolutionary project, as well as his personal vision and affinities with this significant scientific instrument.
What fascinates you so much about the Einstein Telescope?
“The Einstein Telescope is an extraordinary instrument due to its size and the phenomenon it studies; difficult for the average person to understand. What is fascinating is the ability of science to bring to life concepts that could otherwise only be grasped through mathematical formulas. In this period of public doubt, the ET will serve as a powerful reminder of the fundamental mission of science: to remain at the service of society by transforming an abstract concept (gravitational waves) into a concrete reality (the telescope itself).
It is also a tremendous tool that highlights the importance of international and interdisciplinary collaboration in science and technology, with potential economic benefits for decades to come. The ET symbolises the materialisation of scientific concepts, reinforcing the perception of science as a field of constant evolution and innovation.”
What is ULiège’s involvement in the ET?
“ULiège plays a crucial role in this project. Our researchers, such as Christophe Collette, Frédéric Nguyen, and their teams, to name just a few, are already involved in the preparatory phases. The future looks exciting with the potential for numerous PhD opportunities and a strengthening of the experimental physics sector.”
A unique impact?
“Given the unprecedented size and scientific and technological complexity of the project, the ET may be the only scientific initiative that involves collaboration from all universities in the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and Flanders, which is remarkable in itself as it brings many academic actors together towards a common and unifying goal. These new or strengthened collaborations could lead to significant scientific discoveries within or outside the ET.
This project has two dimensions: on the one hand, economic and objective benefits, particularly through initiatives like ET2SME (editorial note: Einstein Telescope To Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, an Interreg project that facilitates the involvement of companies in the Einstein Telescope and maximises the positive economic impact of the ET for businesses), and on the other hand, a subjective and symbolic dimension. For our region, it is crucial not to remain anchored in a bygone past but to seize this opportunity to create a lever towards a prosperous future.”
How are we going to achieve this?
“Being a doctor by training has taught me how to bring complex concepts to life, for example, by finding the right treatment for a patient and adequately explaining diseases or pathologies that are sometimes highly complex.
This broad gap between the conceptual and practical aspects of the ET perfectly reflects this experience. That’s why I emphasise the importance of popularising and simplifying these concepts for the public. For me, my first steps in the ET adventure involved practical aspects, such as negotiations with lawyers and field discussions about potential site locations, which required significant preparation work for me to translate the scientific complexity into concrete courses of action.”
