G7 conference zooms in on Einstein Telescope

On 29 October, the ‘G7 Conference on Large Research Infrastructures’ took place in Sardinia. This conference also zoomed in on the scientific importance of large research infrastructures, such as the Einstein Telescope.

G7: working together for scientific progress

The G7 consists of Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. This large-scale cooperation platform guarantees revolutionary scientific discoveries and, to that end, requires groundbreaking technologies that accelerate the innovative knowledge economy. In July, the group discussed the importance of large research infrastructures in promoting scientific progress and international cooperation in addressing global challenges.

Study on impact of research facilities

To further identify the impact of major research infrastructures, the G7 commissioned a study to better identify their economic, scientific, technological, geopolitical and social impacts. This study, entitled ‘G7 Large Research Infrastructures: Synergies and Impact on Science and Society’, was presented on 29 October. During the conference it highlighted the scientific importance of large research infrastructures. After all, some of these infrastructures allow us to measure information from the universe other than light for the first time in human history. These include gravitational waves, gamma rays, neutrinos and cosmic rays. By combining different messengers from space, it is as if we are now beginning to develop additional senses to unravel the secrets of the cosmos.

The importance of a global perspective

During a panel discussion, Hans Plets, director of the Project Office Einstein Telescope – Meuse-Rhine Euroregion, stressed the importance of the Einstein Telescope in this context. Other panellists included Nobel laureate Art McDonald (2015, research on neutrinos), Marica Branchesi (Gran Sasso Science Institute), Roberto Ragazzoni (Italian National Institute for Astrophysics), Harald Lück (Leibniz University of Hannover) and Patrice Verdier (National Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics). Mario Martinez (Institute for High Energy Physics – Barcelona) led the discussion. The panel underlined the importance of a global perspective in science, integrating individual infrastructures into a comprehensive network. This fosters collaboration and accelerates scientific discoveries.