CERN Alumni Weekly News | Barbara Warmbein, CERN Alumni at Fête de la Science in Paris, All CERN accelerators now on the road to HiLumi

THIS WEEK'S DIGEST AT A GLANCE

COMMUNITY: Finding Her Place in Particle Physics: Barbara Warmbein
GROUPS: Southern Sweden Launch; Copenhagen Pétanque & Networking; Belgium & Eindhoven Visit EURIDICE
OUTREACH: CERN Alumni at Fête de la Science in Paris
FROM CERN: ATLAS and CMS narrow in on double-Higgs production; All CERN accelerators now on the road to HiLumi; Exceptional transport operations to make way for HiLumi LHC

COMMUNITY

Finding Her Place in Particle Physics: Barbara Warmbein
From studying literature to becoming a science communicator, Barbara Warmbein’s career has taken an unexpected path through CERN and particle physics. After joining CERN’s Press Office, she went on to build a career as a freelance science communicator and author of Die Urknallmaschine. In her story, Barbara reflects on the chance encounters, curiosity and shared sense of purpose that shaped her journey — and on how CERN continues to connect people long after they leave: https://alumni.cern/news/13349912 

This week’s photo takes us back to the very First Collisions event, featuring Barbara Warmbein, our star spotlight. And, as a reminder, the CERN Alumni 4th Collisions event will take place from 19 to 21 March 2027. Registrations will open in the coming weeks, so make sure to save the dates in your calendar and stay tuned for more details about the programme and registration.

GROUPS

Copenhagen Pétanque & Networking — 9 September: Meet fellow alumni in Copenhagen for an informal evening of pétanque, drinks and networking on 9 September. No previous experience is needed — just come along and enjoy a relaxed evening with the local alumni community: https://alumni.cern/events/219329 

Southern Sweden Launch Event — 24 September: Join the new CERN Alumni Southern Sweden group for its launch event on 24 September. The group brings together alumni and members of the wider Big Science community in the region for networking, collaboration and knowledge sharingr: https://alumni.cern/events/215188 

Belgium & Eindhoven Visit EURIDICE — 5 November: The CERN Alumni Belgium and Eindhoven groups are joining forces for a visit to EURIDICE on 5 November. The programme includes a guided visit to the EURIDICE exhibition and the underground HADES laboratory, followed by an informal alumni drink:  https://alumni.cern/events/220224 

OUTREACH

CERN Alumni at Fête de la Science — 3–4 October, Paris
CERN Alumni will be joining the Fête de la Science at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris on 3 and 4 October. Come and meet the team at our booth and discover more about CERN, particle physics and the CERN Alumni community: https://www.sortiraparis.com/enfant-famille/articles/75886-fete-de-la-science-2026-au-musee-des-arts-et-metiers-le-programme-des-animations 

FROM CERN

ATLAS and CMS narrow in on double-Higgs production
New results from the ATLAS and CMS experiments bring scientists closer to observing the production of two Higgs bosons in the same collision, offering a new way to study the properties of the Higgs field: https://home.cern/atlas-and-cms-narrow-in-on-double-higgs-production/ 

All CERN accelerators now on the road to HiLumi
CERN’s accelerator complex is preparing for the High-Luminosity LHC era, with all accelerators now moving towards the upgrades needed to support the future programme: https://home.cern/all-cern-accelerators-now-on-the-road-to-hilumi/ 

Exceptional transport operations to make way for HiLumi LHC
As CERN prepares for the High-Luminosity LHC, major transport operations are under way to move the equipment needed for the accelerator’s future upgrades: https://home.cern/exceptional-transport-operations-to-make-way-for-hi-lumi-lhc/