The Higgs boson and our life - Higgs Lecture 2026

CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics based in Geneva, is the world’s leading research center for high-energy particle physics. Over its 70-year history, the Organization has achieved groundbreaking discoveries — notably the Higgs boson in 2012 — which have significantly advanced humankind’s understanding of the fundamental constituents and laws of nature, as well as the structure and evolution of the Universe. This presentation highlights the importance of the Higgs boson discovery and its impact on our lives, CERN’s future plans, and the Organization’s mission in all its facets: scientific research, development of innovative technologies, education and training, and collaboration across borders.

The Lecture will be followed by a drinks reception, where you will have the chance to view Professor Higgs' Nobel Medal, that he was awarded in 2013 for the discovery of the Higgs Boson.

Whether you are a student, researcher or curious about this subject, this event is for you.

Please note photo's will be taken during this event, please get in contact with hctp@ed.ac.uk if you do not want to be included in the photos.

Venue Details:

Please come in through the south entrance on Porters Walk.

About Fabiola Gianotti:

Fabiola Gianotti was the Director-General of CERN from 2016-2025. She is the first woman to have held this role, and the first Director-General to be reappointed for a full second term. She has received 15 honorary doctoral degrees from Universities across the world and is a foreign member of eight academies of science worldwide.

Fabiola Gianotti joined CERN as a research physicist in 1994. From 2009 to 2013, she was the head (“spokesperson”) of the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). It was during this period that the ATLAS and CMS experiments announced the discovery of the Higgs boson.

Any questions, please get in contact with hctp@ed.ac.uk.