On the shores of Lake Baikal -
about Elementary Particle Physics and Astrophysics

From 10 to 17 July, the 24th International Scientific Baikal Summer School on Physics of Elementary Particles and Astrophysics took place in Bolshiye Koty village, Irkutsk Region, at the Baikal Biological Station of the Irkutsk State University (ISU). The Joint Institute for Nuclear Research and ISU organized the event.

Among this year’s participants were students and postgraduates from Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Cuba, India, Kazakhstan, Moldova, the Netherlands, Russia, and Vietnam. Russia was represented by young scientists from Dubna, Irkutsk, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Saint Petersburg, Tomsk, and Vladivostok.

A wide-ranging programme was prepared for the participants: lectures on general relativity, the Standard Model, multi-messenger astronomy, neutrino physics, quantum electrodynamics, physics of supernovae, and nuclear physics. In addition, the agenda included interesting hands-on training in Geant4 simulation and machine learning methods. The lecturers were Yifang Wang (IHEP, China), Dmitry Naumov (JINR), Konstantin Postnov (Sternberg Astronomical Institute of Moscow State University), Sergey Troitsky (Institute for Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences (INR RAS)), Shun Zhou (IHEP, China), Wei Wang (SYSU, China), Tao Lin (IHEP, China), Ivan Kharuk (INR RAS), Petr Krachkov (Novosibirsk State University), Grigory Safronov (INR RAS), and Andrey Sheshukov (JINR). During the evening lectures, Marika Taube, a member of the Russian Designers Association and Head Coach of the WorldSkills Russia Industrial Design Team, discussed design culture, and Dmitry Tarasov, an employee at the DLNP Molecular Cell Genetics Sector, spoke about DNA sequencing.

“We organize the Baikal Summer School primarily to help young researchers, students, and postgraduates to form the so-called scientific worldview, into which the information about the latest achievements, discoveries, and ideas of our science is weaved like threads into lace. This, in turn, is the key to the success of the school participants on their long and challenging future professional path. The school continues to maintain its high standards. Many participants from various countries and Russian cities, wonderful speakers with brilliant lectures, and the convivial atmosphere of the school taking place in an exceptionally beautiful natural area are what has been making the Baikal School on Physics of Elementary Particles and Astrophysics so unique and attractive. Next year, the school will also take place here, on the shore of Lake Baikal, celebrating its 25th anniversary. Once again, it will gather enthusiastic young people, and, just as the previous schools, will remain in their memories as one of the brightest events of their lives,” a member of the school Organizing Committee, Director of the ISU Research Institute of Applied Physics (RIAP ISU), Head of the JINR Information Centre in Irkutsk, Candidate of Physics and Mathematics Andrey Tanayev commented.

“This is my first time at the school. I would like to highlight the well structured lectures, discussions, and Q&A sessios, and the highly engaged students. I really enjoy Baikal’s nature, the School’s organization, and the people around,” IHEP Director Yifang Wang said.

“Lake Baikal is a treasure, and Bolshiye Koty is the perfect place for a summer school! It has been held for 24 years and has already become an integral part of the local community. Irkutsk State University is very supportive of the event. The Baikal School has all ingredients of a perfect summer school: a well-balanced and carefully arranged programme, a team of wonderful teachers, and a coherent system of student selection. Teachers and students live together, surrounded by stunning nature. The area is remote yet connected with other settlements by a transport system. The school is organized by a very professional and caring team, and the atmosphere here is truly international,” Professor at the SYSU Wei Wang noted.

“The Baikal Summer School on Physics of Elementary Particles and Astrophysics is a scientific, educational, and cultural event that was first held almost 25 years ago and became admired by students, young scientists, eminent professors, and everyone who was lucky enough to be part of it. The recipe for success is not so complicated: high-quality lectures, outstanding speakers, honest work, love for science and genuine interest in it, kindness towards people and nature, and, undoubtedly, Lake Baikal! During this week, we all learned a lot about science through the lectures. The numerous discussions between the school participants were just as important, being a source of inspiration for many of us in our research.

I would like sincerely thank the speakers who prepared wonderful lectures, tutors of the research teams who always patiently answered all the questions of the students, and to all the school participants for their thirst for knowledge and the warm atmosphere of friendship.

It takes special preparation and stress resilience to hold such an event in the area that is so far from the civilisation that one can get there only by water or on foot. As always, the close-knit teams of Irkutsk State University and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research were well coordinated and did a great job despite many challenges. Preparing for the organization of such an event takes almost a year, but the work pays off when you see the glowing eyes of young people, thankful and looking forward to visiting the school again.

I would like to express gratitude to the Directorate and employees of JINR and DLNP at JINR, the International Cooperation Department and other JINR departments, ISU, and the RIAP ISU for the comprehensive help and support. I would also like to specifically mention Irina Perevalova (ISU) and Elena Dubovik (JINR), without whom the organization of the school would be impossible.

The week finished in the blink of an eye, and the time has come to say goodbye. Yet I am sure that the moments we spent together will remain in our hearts forever,” Chair of the Organizing Committee, Doctor of Physics and Mathematics Dmitry Naumov summed up.

For reference

The Baikal Summer School on Elementary Particle Physics and Astrophysics was jointly established by Irkutsk State University and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research as part of the cooperation agreement. The main objective of the school is to provide education and training for students, postgraduates, and young scientists in modern aspects of elementary particle physics and astrophysics by leading theoretical and experimental physicists and to assist young specialists in networking and choosing their research direction.

The school is held annually in the small picturesque village of Bolshiye Koty on the shore of Lake Baikal.

With reporting by dlnp.jinr.ru