How can researchers be provided with equal access to Europe’s most advanced research infrastructures? How can new users be effectively prepared to conduct experiments at synchrotrons and free-electron lasers? These were among the key challenges discussed at the General Assembly of the European Synchrotron and FEL User Organisation (ESUO), held on 25–27 August at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble. The NEPHEWS project, an important partner of ESUO in supporting the European research infrastructure user community, also contributed to the organisation of this year’s meeting.

For five days, Warsaw and Kraków became hubs for an intensive exchange of knowledge and experience focused on the future of Ukrainian science. Nineteen senior representatives of Ukrainian universities, research infrastructures and regional authorities came to Poland to gain first-hand insight into the Polish and European research infrastructure ecosystem, learn how research infrastructures are funded and developed, and explore ways of integrating them into the European Research Area. The study visit, organised as part of the RIFF project, was hosted by the SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Centre.

On 25 September, the SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Centre once again transformed into a space filled with experiments, discoveries and inspiring encounters with science. As part of the Małopolska Researchers’ Night, we prepared a rich programme of activities for children, teenagers and adults alike. Visitors had the opportunity not only to explore the synchrotron but also to perform hands-on experiments, take part in workshops and talk to scientists and engineers who work at SOLARIS every day. The programme featured three popular science lectures, two sessions of the educational board game SOLARIS: Scientific Mission, two workshops, eight interactive stations located in the experimental hall dock, and guided tours of the synchrotron.

The SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Centre is pleased to invite participants to the third edition of the course entitled “Fundamentals of Accelerator Physics”. The lectures will be delivered online every Thursday from 08:30 to 10:00 CET, commencing on 8 October 2026 and concluding on 28 January 2027.

It is with deep sadness that we received the news of the passing of Professor Paweł Korecki, an outstanding and highly respected scientist, academic teacher, and mentor to generations of students and young researchers.