The opening ceremony featured distinguished speakers, including Andrzej Szeptycki, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Science and Higher Education; Zygmunt Lalak, Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Warsaw; and Professor Tomasz Bulik, Director of the Astronomical Observatory at the University of Warsaw. Their addresses underscored Poland’s strong commitment to supporting the Einstein Telescope project and fostering international collaboration in gravitational wave research.
Over the course of three days, participants engaged in a series of parallel and plenary sessions covering the latest scientific updates, technological developments, and strategic planning for the ET project. The final day was dedicated to satellite meetings, allowing for in-depth discussions on key research and organizational topics.
A highlight of the event was the Poster Session Awards, which recognized outstanding contributions from four early-career researchers: Francesca Spada (INFN – Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare), Sreekanth Harikumar (Narodowe Centrum Badań Jądrowych), Jennifer Docherty (University of Glasgow), and Graziano Pascale (Max Planck Institute). The awardees received unique gifts featuring traditional Polish folk designs, along with local confectionery.
The conference concluded with a memorable dinner at Warsaw Breweries, where attendees had the opportunity to explore the brewery’s historic underground chambers and learn about the art of beer brewing. The event provided not only an engaging social experience but also a glimpse into Warsaw’s cultural heritage.
Despite the grey autumn skies, the meeting was marked by a warm and collaborative atmosphere. The success of this event reflects the dedication of the organizing team and the enthusiasm of the ET community. As discussions and collaborations continue, participants look forward to reconvening at the next annual meeting to further advance the Einstein Telescope project.
