Outreach Event
“Radical Science”: two sessions at Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) unite exoplanets, the search for life and gravitational-wave cosmology
The Astrophysics and High-Energy Physics Complementary Plan Project collaborates with the Barcelona Center for Contemporary Culture (CCCB) and with other three Complementary Plans in a series of events called “Radical Science”, a cultural initiative that showcases how cutting-edge scientific research is transforming our world.
On 15 May, the first session, titled “In search of extraterrestrial life”, featured a debate with Didier Queloz — Nobel laureate and pioneer in exoplanet discovery — and astrobiologist Nathalie Cabrol. The event was moderated by Ignasi Ribes, who guided a wide-ranging dialogue on the thousands of exoplanets discovered so far and the scientific challenges involved in detecting possible biosignatures in their atmospheres.
The next day, 16 May, the focus shifted to gravitational waves and the origins of the universe. In a session titled “Observing the Big Bang”, astrophysicists Gabriela González and Eugenio Coccia discussed how gravitation-wave astronomy opens a new window to the cosmos: from black-hole mergers to the earliest moments of the universe, enabling a deeper understanding of its fundamental workings.
The session opened with an immersive audiovisual performance by Playmodes — whose light-show turned the hall into a sensory voyage across space-time.
These two events demonstrate how “Radical Science” aims to bridge cutting-edge scientific research with public culture — not only disseminating the latest discoveries, but inviting society to reflect on the origins of life, the nature of the cosmos, and humanity’s place within it.
A Program Bridging Science, Society, and Art
Radical Science unites the four Complementary Plans led by catalan institutions (Astrophyiscs and High-Energy Physics, Quantum Communication, Advanced Materials, and Biotechnology for Health) and the Barcelona Center for Contemporary Culture (CCCB). Together, they aim to foster dialogue between science, humanities, and the arts while highlighting the leadership in advanced research and innovation.
The program offered a comprehensive series of debates and artistic collaborations, addressing ethical, social, and technological challenges posed by scientific advancements. The program also features artistic residencies at participating research centers, visual and performing arts showcases, and opportunities for high school students to interact directly with prominent scientists such as Ignacio Cirac and Nathalie Cabrol, inspiring the next generation of innovators.