European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. They use the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to study the basic constituents of matter – the fundamental particles. The particles are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives the physicists clues about how the particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature.
The instruments used at CERN are purpose-built particle accelerators and detectors. Accelerators boost beams of particles to high energies before the beams are made to collide with each other or with stationary targets. Detectors observe and record the results of these collisions.
Founded in 1954, the CERN laboratory sits astride the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva. It was one of Europe's first joint ventures and now has 22 member states. You can find more information about how CERN is governed and organised here.
ISPCS 2018 at CERN campus
Plugfest
The Plugfest (Sun-Tue) will be held in a dedicated tent. The tent is located on the grass in front of the CERN restaurant. This is usually a leisure area where scientists and engineers enjoy the view of Mont Blanc over coffee or lunch.
Banquet Dinner
The Banquet Dinner (Thursday evening) will be organized in the Globe of Science and Innovation (map). 27 metres high and 40 metres in diameter, it's about the size of the dome of Saint Peter's in Rome! A unique visual landmark by day and by night, the Globe of Science and Innovation is a symbol of Planet Earth. It is CERN's outreach tool for its work in the fields of science, particle physics, leading-edge technologies and their applications in everyday life. On the ground floor of the Globe, the "Universe of Particles" exhibition takes the visitor on a journey deep into the world of particles and back to the Big Bang. The first floor is used for conferences, events such as TEDxCERN and soon our ISPCS banquet dinner.
CERN in 3 Minutes
ISPCS 2018 will be hosted at the CERN campus. The conference events and hotels for attendees are conveniently located within a walking distance. The plugfest will be held in a special tent in front of the CERN restaurant and hotel. CERN’s main auditorium will host the symposium and the Thursday banquet dinner will take place inside CERN’s landmark, the Globe of Science and Innovation. The conference attendees will join CERN employees for lunches in the campus’ main restaurant. The CERN campus is a restricted-access area and please pay special attention to the access rules below. WiFi is available throughout the campus. A detailed map of the campus is available here.
Symposium
The symposium (Wed-Fri) will be held in the Main Auditorium in building 500, room 1-001 (map). Note that this is the place where CERN announces its discoveries, such as the recent discovery of Higgs Boson.
Lunches and hotels
The lunches during ISPCS conference will be served in CERN’s restaurant, called Restaurant 1, in building 501 (map). It is the main canteen used by CERN employees and visitors. It is a place where you are likely to find yourself eating next to a famous scientist, including Nobel prize winners!
The accommodation is available in CERN Hotel with Reception in building 41 (map). CERN Hotel serves scientists and engineers visiting CERN for short stays. Detailed information about accommodation can be found here.
Access
ISPCS2018 is hosted at CERN campus that is a restricted-access international area. Automatically with your registration to the ISPCS conference, your access to CERN will be requested. To be granted the access:
- fill in the form that will be sent to you 1-2 weeks prior to the conference via email that you provided during the registration to the conference.
- Please contact Chris Dyer ([email protected]) if you need the access card to be sent more than 1-2 weeks in advance.
- once you fill in the form, you will receive an email with an access badge and an access code. You can print the badge at home and use it to access CERN or you can use the code to print your badge at the CERN Reception that opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 5.45pm, Saturday from 8.30am to 5.15pm. If you plan to arrive outside the working hours of the CERN Reception, you MUST print your badge at home.
Conference attendees can access the CERN campus only through the CERN Reception or Gate B. All other CERN entrances are reserved for CERN employees only. At any time, visitors may be requested to present their access card and valid identification.
Please state in the conference registration form, or inform the organizers at latest by 17th September if:
- a companion will join you at the CERN hotel, providing the name, surname, nationality
- you would like to park your car at the CERN campus, providing the model and registration plates
- you are bringing expensive electronic equipment; all such equipment must be registered so that it can later exit the CERN Campus.
All visitors to CERN should obey the Code of Conduct for Visitors to CERN.
WiFi
WiFi is available throughout the campus and requires registration. It is recommended that you register your device before your arrival. Specific instructions how to register your device will be provided upon registration to ISPCS 2018.
