21Sep

The European Physical Society to present an award to DIPC during Passion for Knowledge 2016

The European Physical Society (EPS) will be presenting an award to the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) for its outstanding contribution in the field of condensed matter physics and materials science, as well as for its numerous, successful activities in the outreach and communication of science. Set up in the year 2000, DIPC is a research centre devoted to high-level research in materials physics, that in only a few years has become a reference of Basque science. It is a unique centre in its institutional structure and operation, which in addition to excellence in research, plays an important role in conveying scientific knowledge to society. Indeed, it will be during the closing ceremony of the third edition of Passion for Knowledge, a large outreach festival organised by DIPC, that the President of the EPS Christophe Rossel will be presenting DIPC with an official plaque to mark the recognition.

Created in 1968, the EPS is one of Europe’s most important scientific associations. Its members include 42 National Physical Societies in Europe, individuals from all fields of physics, and European research institutions, thus bringing together more than 130,000 people. As a learned society, the EPS promotes the advancement of physics, defends the interests of the European physics community and fosters international co-operation. It acts as an advocate to policy-makers and citizens, promoting the contributions of physics research to the economic, technological, social and cultural advancement in Europe.

As Pedro Miguel Echenique, President of DIPC, stated, “This recognition from such a prestigious institution like the EPS is a real honour for us, and it encourages us to keep on doing to become a worldwide reference in research and science communication.” He explained that not only the award itself is important, but also the fact that on the occasion of Passion for Knowledge 2016, the EPS had chosen the headquarters of DIPC in San Sebastian to hold its annual Executive Committee meeting on 30 September and 1 October. The President of the EPS was keen to emphasise that “we fully share the aim of the festival, which is to promote science as a key cultural activity that also contributes to social and economic progress.” To achieve that aim, from September 27 onwards, Passion for Knowledge 2016 presents an extensive programme of activities addressed to all citizens. The full programme can be seen on the festival’s website: p4k.dipc.org