Past FNR events showcase

[Re]discover a selection of our past events.

The Sound of Data – Science meets Music (Esch 2022)

Aim of the project

The aim of this project was to transform scientific data into music via a process called data sonification and more generally to bring science and music together in Luxembourg. The project was a joint initiative of FNR, Rockhal, LIST and University of Luxembourg together with the articstic partner of the project, Dr. Valery Vermeulen, and was organised in the framework of the European Capital of Culture, Esch 2022.

The project started with a launch event “Science meets Music” where the fascinating links between science and music were shown to the public via interactive workshops, conference talks, artistic performances and keynote talks. E.a. the first officially recognised cyborg Neil Harbisson gave a talk about his use of sonification in everyday life: being colour blind he uses antennas implanted into his skull that help him “hear colours”.

Phase 1
The project itself consisted of three phases. In a first phase scientific data was collected by scientists from the University of Luxembourg and LIST.
Phase 2
In a second phase this data was transformed into music during an artist residency by local and international musicians. Listen to the motivations of the artists to participate in the project and the relationships they see between science and music.
Phase 3
And finally, the result of this process – 11 data sonification songs – were performed live on stage at Rockhal. Also, the artistic partner of the project, Dr. Valery Vermeulen, performed the songs he composed as part of this project live on stage. The headliner of the evening was Max cooper, a former scientist whose music is strongly inspired by science. Before the concert, some of the artists and scientists involved in the project as well as Valery Vermeulen and Max Cooper gave insights in data sonification and the inspiring links between science and music during a short conference. Here the after movie of this special event!
Not yet sure what data sonification is? Here an explainer video, produced as part of the project.
Not sure how data sonification can be used, for example in communication? We also organised a conference around this topic, here the video.

House of Frankenstein: Celebrating 20 years of FNR

On Friday, 29 November 2019, on the occasion of the 20 year existence of the FNR, the FNR organised an off-beat event – The House of Frankenstein – where citizens and scientists came together to immerse themselves in some of the biggest controversial science topics facing society, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), genome editing, gender balance and the use of space resources. [Re]visit the evening in our coverage.

EU Presidency MSCA 2015 Conference & Awards Ceremony

The Marie Skłodoswka-Curie Actions Conference MSCA, was organised by the FNR on 10 and 11 December 2015, under the auspices of the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The conference counted numerous guests, among others the French astronaut Claudie Haigneré and Swedish futurist Nicklas Bergman, in presence of Luxembourg Secretary of State for Higher Education and Research Marc Hansen.

This high-level conference addressed topics such as career prospects and employability of researchers, equal opportunity and gender, or recruitment strategies as part of the international mobility of researchers. In addition, an awards ceremony at Cercle-Cité in Luxembourg-City rewarded the three most outstanding researchers amongst the most promising scientists funded by the COFUND scheme.

Jules Hoffmann Nobel Laureate Symposium

In the framework of its ATTRACT funding scheme, the FNR organised the Jules Hoffmann Nobel Laureate Symposium on 26 April 2013 at the Philharmonie in Luxembourg-City, gathering more than 300 guests from the scientific community. The symposium addressed the importance of Luxembourg’s scientific and economic interest in attracting young high-level researchers to contribute to the country’s research development. The event counted numerous guests, including Professor Jules Hoffmann, Luxembourg-born biologist and winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discoveries concerning the activation of innate immunity and Professor Iain Mattaj, back then Director General of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory EMBL in Heidelberg.

10th Anniversary of the FNR

In 2009, the FNR celebrated its 10^th Anniversary at the Philharmonie in Luxembourg-City, in presence of his Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri and Minister for Higher Education and Research, François Biltgen, and 300 guests from the Luxembourg research community The celebration also included a conference with the topic of the importance of outstanding research in Europe and the smaller countries, held by Professor Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker, famous German biochemist and back then Secretary general of the Human Frontier Science Programme.