WG6 Education, Training & Outreach

Working Group 6 (Education, Training & Outreach) supports the long-term development of Europe’s accelerator-based photon science ecosystem by strengthening education, professional training, outreach to user communities and communication across the LEAPS facilities and towards its stakeholders.

The group brings together experts from LEAPS members, associates and partners to coordinate initiatives that increase visibility, accessibility, scientific excellence, and societal impact of accelerator-based photon science.

WG6 currently focuses on four complementary areas:

• Communication – support coherent internal and external communication across the LEAPS community,
• Outreach to Users – strengthen collaboration with the user communities mainly through reinforcing the cooperation with ESUO.
• Science Diplomacy – promote international scientific cooperation beyond LEAPS, supporting in particular initiatives such as Light for Ukraine and SESAME, and strengthening collaboration with emerging scientific communities worldwide.
• Education & Training – coordinate education and training activities across LEAPS facilities to develop the next generation of accelerator-based photon scientists, engineers, technicians and technologists.

Since its establishment, WG6 has played a central role in strengthening education, training, and outreach and communication within the LEAPS community. The group’s activities have progressively evolved from coordinating individual initiatives to supporting strategic actions across the entire LEAPS network.

Over the past years, WG6 has:

• contributed to the development of a common LEAPS approach to education, training and outreach across the LEAPS community;
• strengthened collaboration with the European Synchrotron and FEL User Organisation (ESUO), reinforcing the dialogue between facilities and their user communities;
• supported the dissemination of LEAPS activities through coordinated communication and outreach initiatives, increasing the visibility of photon science among scientific, industrial and public stakeholders – LEAPS Brochure “World-class research for our daily lives” (several language versions);
• promoted international cooperation and science diplomacy by contributing to initiatives such as Light for Ukraine, collaboration with SESAME, and engagement with emerging scientific communities beyond Europe – Science Diplomacy – LEAPS;
• facilitated the exchange of good practices among LEAPS facilities in education, training and public engagement;
• contributed to discussions on developing common educational resources, training opportunities and mobility schemes for students, early-career researchers and facility users.

Through these activities, WG6 has contributed to building a more connected and inclusive LEAPS community, strengthening collaboration between facilities, users and international partners, while promoting knowledge exchange, skills development and the societal visibility of photon science – LEAPS IDEA for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-discrimination.

WG6 is currently implementing a coordinated work programme built around its four complementary areas.
Current priorities include:

Communication

• development of common communication materials for LEAPS;
• establishment of a network of collaboration amongst specialists within LEAPS;
• identification of communication channels and distribution networks;
• closer cooperation with international networks and consortia of specialists.

Outreach to Users

• increasing LEAPS presence at User Meetings;
• strengthening cooperation with ESUO;
• promoting LEAPS activities among current and future users.

Science Diplomacy

• supporting international cooperation initiatives;
• strengthening collaboration with SESAME;
• expanding engagement with African scientific communities;
• supporting the Light for Ukraine initiative.

Education & Training

• mapping education and training activities across LEAPS facilities;
• creating a database of tutors and training expertise;
• developing a shared collection of educational materials;
• supporting twinning activities for new users;
• exploring funding opportunities for a European Photon Science School.