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From the secrets of the universe to socio-economic impact: the power of big science

Hosted by the Department of Geography and Environment

In-person public event (LSE campus, venue TBC to ticketholders)

Speakers

Professor Mark Thomson

Professor Riccardo Crescenzi

Discussant

Chair

Professor Larry Kramer

The lecture will explore the cutting-edge frontier of particle physics and astronomy and the pivotal role of major research infrastructures in advancing our fundamental understanding of the universe. It will delve into how groundbreaking scientific endeavours – ranging from understanding dark matter to exploring the early universe – not only push the boundaries of human knowledge but also necessarily catalyse technological innovation.

The discussion also will highlight the broader socio-economic impacts of Big Science, including skills development, and real-world applications. By fostering innovation, these large-scale scientific investments provide tangible benefits to the countries, regions, and communities that support them, particularly in the context of intensified global competition for technological leadership.

Meet our speakers and chair

Mark Thomson (@ProfMarkThomson) is Director-General Designate of CERN, taking up the role in January 2026, and was previously the Executive Chair of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) in the United Kingdom. He is also a Professor of Experimental Particle Physics at the University of Cambridge. Since completing his doctorate in particle physics at the University of Oxford, Professor Thomson has been a research scientist at CERN, played leading international roles in advancing neutrino physics and research for future colliders. Professor Thomson is credited in over 1000 publications and authored the widely adopted textbook Modern Particle Physics, used in universities globally. Beyond his research, he has held various research leadership and oversight roles at national and international level, including serving as the UK delegate to CERN’s Council since 2018. He also played the pivotal role in establishing the long-term UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) infrastructure roadmap and investment portfolio.

Riccardo Crescenzi (@crescenzi_r) is Professor of Economic Geography at LSE. He is the LSE Principal Investigator of a large collaborative research project on inequalities and global megatrends funded by UK Research and Innovation. His most recent book Harnessing Global Value Chains for Regional Development explores how regions, cities and clusters can build, embed and reshape FDI and global value chains for local enhancement.

Larry Kramer has been President and Vice Chancellor of LSE since April 2024. A constitutional scholar, university administrator, and philanthropic leader, he was previously the President of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Dean of Stanford Law School.

More about this event

The Department of Geography and Environment (@LSEGeography) is a centre of international academic excellence in economic, urban and development geography, environmental social science and climate change.

Hashtag for this event: #LSEEvents

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Accessibility
If you are planning to attend this event and would like details on how to get here and what time to arrive, as well as on accessibility and special requirements, please refer to LSE Events FAQ.  LSE aims to ensure that people have equal access to these public events, but please contact the events organiser as far as possible in advance if you have any access requirements so that arrangements, where possible, can be made. If the event is ticketed, please ensure you get in touch in advance of the ticket release date. Access Guides to all our venues can be viewed online.

WIFI Access
LSE has now introduced wireless for guests and visitors in association with 'The Cloud', also in use at many other locations across the UK. If you are on campus visiting for the day or attending a conference or event, you can connect your device to wireless. See more information and create an account at Join the Cloud.
Visitors from other participating institutions are encouraged to use eduroam. If you are having trouble connecting to eduroam, please contact your home institution for assistance.
The Cloud is only intended for guest and visitor access to wifi. Existing LSE staff and students are encouraged to use eduroam instead.

From time to time there are changes to event details so we strongly recommend that if you plan to attend this event you check back on this listing on the day of the event.

How can I attend? Add to calendar

This in-person public event is free and open to all. 

Members of the public, LSE students, staff and alumni can request one ticket via the online ticket request form which will be live on this listing after 10am on Thursday 20 February until at least 12noon on Friday 21 February. If after this time we have received more requests than there are tickets available, the line will be closed, and tickets will be allocated on a random basis to those requests received. If we have received fewer requests than tickets available, the ticket line will stay open until all tickets have been allocated. You will be notified within 2 working days whether your ticket request has been successful.

For any queries email events@lse.ac.uk.

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