Building bridges … and accelerators

Lyn Evans, the LHC project leader, was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) to celebrate his role not just in building accelerators, but also in building bridges between nations. He was one of four notables honoured at the event on Friday 5 June, coinciding with the University’s 450th Anniversary.

"It was a big surprise when I found out I’d been nominated," recounts Evans, "but it was an even bigger surprise to find out with whom I’d been nominated". At the ceremony Evans was awarded the honorary doctorate along with three others: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was acclaimed for his fight against apartheid in South Africa, Mary Robinson, first woman president of Ireland and former United Nations’ high commissioner of human rights, and Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organization.

The award ceremony, known as the ‘Dies Academicus’, is a longstanding tradition, but this year was especially important as it coincided with the 450th anniversary of the University. The historic event took place in the Saint-Pierre Cathedral, where 100 years ago both Einstein and Marie Curie were given honorary doctorates in celebration of UNIGE’s 350th anniversary.

"Listening to Archbishop Desmond Tutu give his speech was the real high point of the whole ceremony. It was incredible, and I think everyone there would agree," says Evans. "It was a great day, and an incredible honour, especially with such impressive company."

The four were honoured by the University in recognition of their efforts in fostering dialogue between nations or their endeavours in human rights. Over the past 15 years Evan’s position as LHC project leader has also required him to be an international diplomat, bringing many non-Member States into the LHC project. It was therefore Evans’ role in building bridges between nations that was celebrated as much as his role in building the accelerator itself.

"It’s a very important part of CERN’s mandate to bring nations together," he explains. "In fact, that’s one of the reasons why CERN was formed in the first place." But when he first took on the role of LHC project leader, he did not anticipate this responsibility to fall to him.

"When I took on the job I didn’t know what to expect, but I certainly didn’t realise it would involve so much international relations," says Evans. "Detectors have been built in international collaborations for many years, but you have to remember that accelerator building at CERN had always been an internal matter. But the LHC was a break with that tradition, and we had to learn very quickly. The first DG after approval was Chris Llewellyn Smith, who had a lot of diplomatic skills. And together we brought on board the major players –the USA, Japan, Russia, Canada and India."

"And I think that, for big projects, this sort of approach will be followed in the future," adds Evans. "Already there are other international collaborations building up working on a similar model to the LHC, like XFEL in DESY and FAIR in Darmstadt, and hopefully they will be able to learn from what we’ve done with the LHC."

For more information about the Dies Academicus and the 450th anniversary of the University of Geneva please visit www.unige.ch/450/