Surrounded by stunning mountain views, the ESRF in Grenoble hosted a three-day meeting of synchrotron communications team leaders from around the world.

Science communicators from light source facilities within Lightsources.org, the global collaboration of 23 synchrotrons and 7 Free Electron Lasers, gathered at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) last week to share knowledge, ideas, and strategic plans. The in-person meeting, the first to be held in Europe since before the pandemic, also focussed on developing a special programme of activities to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Lightsources.org in 2024. 
Guest speakers included Terry O’Connor, EMBL’s Head of communication, and Daniela Antonio, CERN’s Social media and community manager, both of whom shared insights into their strategies, activities and priorities in the ever changing landscape of 21st century science communication.     
Delphine Chenevier, Head of communications at the ESRF, comments, “Since we last hosted a Lightsources.org collaboration meeting, the ESRF has undergone a major upgrade to a fourth-generation high-energy synchrotron. This has significantly increased our scientific capabilities. It was wonderful to be able to show colleagues several beamlines where our staff outlined the research that can now be done across a range of fields including health, materials, cultural heritage, and palaeontology.”
Isabelle Boscaro-Clarke, Diamond's Head of Impact, Communication and Engagement, adds "One of the most valuable aspects of being a member of Lightsources.org is the connections you develop with colleagues in similar roles around the world. Our in-person meetings give us the opportunity to share both the triumphs and the challenges and provide the time needed to have in-depth discussions. These discussions help us to strengthen our communications programmes at an individual facility level and plan the future development of the Lightsources.org collaboration as it continues to provide one voice for the brightest science.” 
Lightsources.org was established in 2004 and, as the 20th Anniversary approaches, the collaboration will be focusing on a new Vision and Strategic Plan for 2024-2044 along with a special programme of activities to raise the profile of Lightsources.org and its members throughout 2024.
If you are interested in becoming a member of Lightsources.org, please visit our About Lightsources.org page or contact Silvana Westbury, our Project Manager, at webmaster@lightsources.org  

Lightsources.org is a consortium and global online platform created through the cooperation of communication specialists from many light source centers.  It brings together 23 synchrotron centers and 7 units with free electron lasers, representing 24 organizations from three geographical zones: Europe and the Middle East, both Americas, Asia and Australia.

Picture1. Group photo of participant Lightsources.org meeting in ESRF.