Due to ongoing turmoil at Columbia University, the “Future of Dark Matter” brainstorming workshop that I co-organised with my friends and colleagues Elena Aprile and Lam Hui, initially planned at Columbia U., was hosted at the Center for Computational Astrophysics (a big thank you to Mariangela Lisanti, Ken Van Tilburg, and to the CCA admins, for coordinating the venue change).

The discussions began with WIMP searches, moderated by Elena Aprile and Tracy Slatyer, exploring challenges and opportunities in dark matter direct and indirect detection. The other sessions delved into gravitational wave probes, substructure searches, as well as astro and cosmological probes, moderated by Alvise Raccanelli, Ken Van Tilburg, Yashar Hezaveh, Mariangela Lisanti, and myself. FInally, Colin Hill, Patrick Meade, Zhen Liu, Lam Hui, and Kerstin M. Perez moderated a discussion of collider searches, and axion searches.

The programme of the event can be found here: https://www.physics.columbia.edu/events/cancelledthe-future-dark-matter-topical-sessions-opportunities-and-challenges

It was an excellent opportunity to engage with colleagues across various fields, and more personally, a wonderful way to cap off my three-month sabbatical in New York City.

After the workshop, we informal discussions continued on the wonderful CCA rooftop. All photos courtesy of prof. Elena Aprile.

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On October 27, 2023, CREA Amsterdam hosted the Dutch edition of the 2023 Cosmos Book Prize ceremony. Jim Jansen, editor-in-chief of New Scientist NL, set the stage with a warm and engaging welcome. I briefly presented the initiative’s roots, tracing back to its inception in Reggio Calabria, Italy, in 2018. Speaking about the profound impact of scientific culture, I emphasized how popular science can inspire young minds. I also stressed the importance of books and “slow science” for understanding an ever more complex world.

The lively performance of a high-school student band provided the perfect backdrop to the presentations from a line-up of amazing finalists, either in person via video, including Stan Bentvelsen (who also represented Martijn Van Calmthout), Claudine Monteil, 2021 Physics Nobel Prize winner Giorgio Parisi, James Poskett, Govert Schilling, and Margriet van der Heijden.

The NL Cosmos Students’ Prize 2023 went to “Het heiland dat het Higgs heet” by Stan Bentvelsen and Martijn Van Calmthout, a riveting exploration of the Higgs boson’s past and future. Margriet van der Heijden clinched the NL Cosmos Prize 2023 with ‘Ongekend’, a work that celebrates the trailblazing women in science who have left an indelible mark.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the dedicated scientific jury, Ivo van Vulpen (chair), Rosanne Herzberger, Keri Vos, Jan Bouwe, Floris van der Tak. Thank you to all the organisers, including New Scientist Eline Kraaijenvanger, Maureen Voestermans, Jan Pieter van der Schaar, Jim Jansen. Here’s to the students from across the Netherlands who participated in the initiative, to their teachers, to the deserving winners, and to the promise of an even more spectacular 2024 NL Cosmos Prize event. Cheers!