Youth and science

Outdoor science

On 18 - 20 July, the 29th Summer Scientific School "Lipnya-2025" was held at the Tourist Shelter of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. This annual event, organized by the JINR Association of Young Scientists and Specialists (AYSS), brought together about 70 participants from Dubna and Moscow on Lipnya Island.

The School's rich programme included lectures on advanced scientific areas, practical master classes, as well as sports and cultural events. All this created fertile ground for the exchange of ideas and the strengthening of cooperation between young specialists from different laboratories and institutes.

From the very first hours of their stay on the island, the participants were able to feel the atmosphere of teamwork thanks to team building games prepared by the Organizing Committee. This year, the format included joining interest groups to discuss the easy topics available for acquaintance. Such events allow you to demonstrate erudition, resourcefulness and a sense of humor, laying the foundation for friendly informal communication on the first day of work.

At the opening ceremony, a welcoming report was made by the Co-Chairs of the Lipnya-2025 Organizing Committee the junior researcher at DLNP Rostislav Sotensky and the engineer at CED Ekaterina Kolosova. They introduced the participants to the School programme, talked about upcoming lectures, master classes and events, recalled mandatory safety measures and the code of behavior on the island.

Within the framework of the School's lecture programme, a researcher at the D.V.Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics of Moscow State University and Chairman of the Council of Young Scientists of SINP MSU Kirill Laptinsky was the first to speak to the participants. His lecture on the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques in scientific research arouse much interest among participants.

"For me, this is the second school on Lipnya but this time I am in the status of a guest lecturer. Speaking at the opening was a great honor for me. I believe that holding such events is extremely useful, since Lipnya creates unique conditions for informal communication between young scientists and specialists. Indeed, in such a trusting environment, not only future collaborations are born, but also help is found in meeting urgent scientific tasks," Kirill Laptinsky said.

Representative of the Coordinating Council for Youth Affairs in Scientific and Educational Spheres of the Council for Science and Education under the President of the Russian Federation, a researcher at DLNP Vladislav Rozhkov delivered a dynamic lecture entitled "40 minutes on CT, SPECT, PET, housing and communal services and MRI". During his report, he told the participants about the basic areas of medical tomography, emphasizing both their applied significance and potential for basic research.

The scientific part of the first day was completed with a meaningful report by MLIT Deputy Director for Research Nikolay Voitishin. His speech was dedicated to the 60-year history of MLIT, a laboratory that stands at the origins of JINR's computing infrastructure and plays a key role in the digital transformation of scientific research.

On 19 July, the main programme started with a lecture by FLNP researcher Maxim Podlesnyy "Neptune is the son of evolution" on the project of a promising high-flux neutron source with neptunium as a nuclear fuel. Commenting on this speech, the FLNP chief researcher Evgeny Shabalin emphasized the importance of continuing traditions and transferring experience from scientists that have dedicated many years to work on the project to their students.

Deputy Head of Department of DLNP Lyudmila Kolupaeva spoke about current research and promising experiments in the field of neutrino physics - an area at the intersection of astrophysics, nuclear physics and fundamental issues about the nature of matter.

The scientific session was continued by Head of Sector of BLTP Alan Dzhioev with a report "Collapsing supernovae and weak nuclear reactions" that was about the processes taking place at the last stages of the life of stars, the mechanism of supernovae explosion and the role of neutrinos in these truly major events that change the appearance of the observed Universe.

After a short break, the participants returned to the programme now with an emphasis on scientific communication and museum work. The employees of the JINR Press Office spoke about the activities form the public image of the Institute: the senior editor-translator Dinara Bulatova, the social media specialist Kirill Petukhov and the correspondent Evgeny Bragin. A report was dedicated to the work of the JINR Museum of History, Science and Technology by Director of the Museum Anastasia Zlotnikova.

One of the key events of the second day was the traditional round table for Lipnya with Directorate of the Institute. This time, the meeting started with a minute of silence. The participants honored the memory of Evgeny Krasavin, an outstanding scientist, scientific adviser and organizer of the Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. His contribution to the development of the Institute and to the establishment of the school of radiation biology cannot be overestimated.

The event was followed by a discussion of topical issues of youth policy at the Institute. The activities of the AYSS Council over the past three years were described in detail by its former Chairman Vladislav Rozhkov and the new Chairman of the Council, a junior researcher at LRB Regina Kozhina that was elected to this position in 2025. The focus of their speeches was cooperation with JINR departments, building sustainable communications and implementing joint initiatives aimed at supporting and developing young researchers.

"All the most important initiatives are born and implemented namely thanks to you, young specialists," Vladislav Rozhkov addressed the School participants. "All your wishes and opinions are promptly communicated by the AYSS Council to Directorates of the Laboratories and the entire Institute. Therefore, be assured that your voice will definitely be heard."

At the round table, focus was on the issues of supporting the scientific activity of young people. Head of the Human Resources and Records Management Department Alexander Verkheev presented a detailed analytical review of the AYSS grant programme.

During the lively discussion, proposals on the need to revise and modernize the current grant system were made. The participants emphasized that the updated prototype would increase the motivation of the young employees of the Joint Institute and the quality of their research work.

JINR Director Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Grigory Trubnikov highly appreciated the activities of AYSS and expressed gratitude for the systematic work to strengthen inter-laboratory cooperation. He especially emphasized the contribution to the holding of regular popular science seminars in the Scientists' Club that became a platform for the free exchange of ideas between representatives of various laboratories. He also emphasized the qualitative increase of the international youth conference of AYSS, traditionally organized by the AYSS and highlighted the launch of a new competition for innovative developments in the field of applied activities in 2025. "This initiative is aimed at establishing the required balance of power between fundamental and applied research at JINR," Grigory Trubnikov said. "It is incredibly important for the Institute that young specialists are able to realize themselves and build a successful career in the future."

The culmination of the second day of the School was a vocal concert by the professional singer Anna Lozhkina. Her emotional performance was a real gift for the participants. The musical evening smoothly turned into warm gatherings by the fire - with songs with a guitar, smiles and live communication. That night, melodies in Russian, English and even Vietnamese sounded over Lipnya Island, creating a truly cozy, almost homely atmosphere in a multinational circle of friends and colleagues.

The programme of the "Lipnya-2025" was diverse and rich not only in scientific, but also in practical exercises. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, participants waited for outdoor master classes: SUP-boarding, kayaking, archery - everyone could find something to their liking, recharge their energy and take a break from the intensive lecture part. In their free time, young scientists played sports and board games, continuing communication in an informal setting.

On the final day of the School, the teacher of oratory skills Ekaterina Ovchinnikova held classes on the theory and practice of debating. The participants learned to formulate arguments, work with counterarguments and speak confidently in front of an audience - skills so important for a scientific career.

At the closing ceremony, held on 20 July, the Co-Chairs of the Lipnya-2025 Organizing Committee summed up the results, thanking all the participants and organizers. This year, the School brought together 67 young scientists and specialists representing not only various departments of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, but also organizations such as NRNU MEPhI, SINP MSU, Dubna State University and Dubna SEZ. In total, together with lecturers and guests of the School, there were a record number of participants on the island - 118 people.

In addition, at the closing, the results of creative and intellectual competitions were announced. The winners of the competition for the best tent design and the most erudite quiz participants were awarded well-deserved prizes to applause.

"It was very important for us, the organizers, to create an environment where School participants could discuss scientific topics in a comfortable informal atmosphere," Ekaterina Kolosova said. "This year, the successful combination of serious scientific reports with other activities in the programme aroused keen interest and high audience engagement. AYSS will make every effort to ensure that the Lipnya School continues its development and becomes even better from year to year."

Rostislav Sotensky stated that this year, the School's lecture programme consisted mainly of reports from young scientists and specialists. "I consider this experience positive: the performances of young employees were held at a high level and they themselves became an excellent example for all participants," the organizer emphasized. At the end of his speech, he thanked the young specialists for their active participation and invited them to the 30th anniversary Summer School that will be held in 2026.

After the Summer School had been over, the JINR young employees that first visited Lipnya shared their impressions.

The VBLHEP engineer Danil Chemezov emphasized that the main discovery for him was the ease of communication during the School, the opportunity to spontaneously start a conversation with any person, discuss scientific and related topics, without even knowing the name of the interlocutor. "The unique natural environment of the island has created ideal conditions to exhale after working days, to look around and to feel again how exciting and inspiring science can be," he added.

A junior researcher at DLNP Ksenia Antokhina also emphasized the unique atmosphere of the event. "All the participants and the organizers were very friendly. I cannot remember a single such event from those in which I participated where I could communicate with lecturers in such a calm atmosphere. This is very cool," Ksenia shared her impressions. According to her, the School was of particular value. A secluded island just 10 km from Dubna created the conditions for a full recovery: "For those who have not yet had time to take a vacation in summer, Lipnya is a breath of fresh air. A real mental reboot".

The Lipnya-2025 Summer School has once again proven its significance as a unique space for professional increase, scientific dialogue and human communication. Here, away from the bustle, surrounded by nature and like-minded people, young scientists exchange ideas and make new contacts.

Conference Organizing Committee,
photo by Elena PUZYNINA