Professor Philip Burrows has been appointed Chair of the CERN Scientific Policy Committee (SPC), following his selection by the CERN Council at its September 2025 meeting. He formally began the role on 1 January 2026.
CERN, founded in 1954, is the world’s leading laboratory for accelerator-based exploration of subatomic physics. It is supported by 25 member states and hosts around 17,000 scientists and engineers from more than 100 countries, working collaboratively on frontier particle physics research.
The Scientific Policy Committee plays a central advisory role, providing objective and impartial guidance to the CERN Council on all aspects of CERN’s scientific programme. As chair, Professor Burrows will help steer the strategic direction of research at a crucial moment for the organisation.
‘I am truly honoured to have been appointed to this key role,’ comments Professor Burrows. ‘The next few years will be crucial for CERN as it both aims for completion of the upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider and moves to secure approval for its next major collider to advance exploration of the subatomic world through the 2040s and beyond.’
‘The Department of Physics has a close and long-standing relationship with CERN,’ adds Professor Andrew Boothroyd, Head of Department. ‘I am delighted that Phil has been recognised with this strategic role and, as a department, we look forward to continuing to work together to shape the future of this key facility.’