We need more mega-science projects, says CERN Director-General

CERN's Director-General, Mark Thomson, emphasized the need for additional mega-science projects during his visit to Mumbai on August 31, 2026, for the India premiere of "The Peace Particle," a documentary on CERN. The documentary screened at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Thomson also addressed the future projects of CERN and the organization's interest in India during his lecture titled "Particle physics: today and tomorrow."

Thomson outlined the Future Circular Collider (FCC), an ambitious project expected to be operational between 2045 and 2048. This 91-kilometer ring collider would collide electrons and positrons, representing a significant leap in innovation, technology, and imagination. Although not yet approved, CERN anticipates a positive decision by 2028.

Thomson also mentioned plans to develop a more powerful version of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), scheduled for completion in 2030, with the High-Luminosity LHC boosting its brightness by tenfold.

Looking ahead, CERN envisions a future beyond the LHC, known as the Future Circular Collider. This long-term project aims to address profound questions in particle physics, such as the matter-antimatter asymmetry, the nature of dark matter, and the hierarchy of particle masses. Thomson highlighted India's technological prowess and its potential to contribute to CERN's future endeavors.

The Director-General underscored CERN's commitment to international cooperation, driven by the pursuit of understanding the universe's most profound questions. He cited the invention of the World Wide Web as a testament to the transformative power of fundamental science, which he believes has reshaped not just science but also the world. Thomson concluded by praising India's role in CERN's projects, particularly the LHC, marking a significant milestone in the collaboration between the two nations.