LISA, 30 years on!
Last autumn, LISA celebrated its 30th anniversary. Here's a look back at this anniversary, which was an opportunity for us all to get together for a few days in the beautiful medieval town of Provins.
Despite a few transport problems, it was with a smile that everyone came to share these few sunny days. The program included workshops, presentations, a photo contest and visits to share what brings us together, and to meet all the teams in a less formal setting.
The first afternoon was devoted to a workshop on the laboratory's carbon footprint and decarbonization options, in line with the Labos 1.5 collective approach. As a laboratory working on the environment, this aspect is important, and how to reduce our collective footprint while continuing to deliver quality research is a key question to which everyone tried to provide the beginnings of an answer.
The end of the day and the evening were spent in good spirits at the foot of the city walls. Pétanque and potato chips were shared before lunch, and then we enjoyed a sky-watching activity thanks to Juliette Pastore, a doctoral student at LISA and member of the Association Française d'Astronomie, who set up a telescope on the ramparts and made some fine observations. Although the comet didn't show its nose, the ISS and a number of stellar bodies were on hand for this starry-eyed evening.
A visit to the magnificent town of Provins was organized on the morning of the second day, with a tour of the Caesar Tower and underground passageways to get some fresh air before a studious afternoon. Lunchtime was punctuated by a journey through the laboratory's history, with 30 years of research presented with a touch of nostalgia and humor, enabling the younger members of the group to better understand the choices made in the laboratory's research trajectory. We then returned to the present, with presentations on a number of projects, providing a non-exhaustive overview of what our various teams are up to:
- Contemporary microscopy techniques used in the laboratory
- The use of artificial intelligence in our field
- Aerosol characterization
- Spectroscopy at LISA
- The Efluve Observatory for the Sciences of the Universe
- Exoplanets
A festive evening rounded off this wonderful day, in the restored cellars, where we enjoyed a special LISA quiz, followed by a cocktail reception and a DJ party. The winners of the photo and video competitions were also revealed in the various categories: “Research tools”, “Research and action”, “Research and contemplation”, “LISA's best moments”, “Animated research” (video).
The final morning began with general discussions for the unit, ahead of the HCERES evaluation which is due to take place shortly. Several groups were then formed to visit the brewery or the beautiful rose garden at Provins, while the bravest went for a jog.
LISA's 30th anniversary was an opportunity to spend some time together, away from the laboratories scattered across several campuses. A moment of exchange, discovery and good humor. The discussions and workshops will continue after these fruitful discussions, and we look forward to seeing you in 10 years' time!
