LhARA Executive Board 22Jul26; 16:00 BST

Present: KL, TG, CJ, BB, AG, RA, HO, CW, PP, JPar

Notes

1. Notes and actions: All
   

2. Targets for proposals, discussion:
   • IAA:
     • Impact analysis, benefits map as input to business case (? via UKRI IAA at Imperial)
     • Bio-programme development (? via IAA at Strathclyde)
     • Need to consider support for D.Laird comms.
   • STFC SPARK (25Aug26):
     • RS SSE on tour, our regional outreach, D.Laird comms, schools outreach
   • STFC PPRP (27Aug26):
     • "Talk to programme manager before submitting", conversation worthwhile, long shot?
   • STFC/EPSRC KTP (no closing date):
     • Worth discussing; discuss with LCC?
   • EPSRC Collaborate with researchers in Norway (no closing date):
     • Plasma lens; discuss after 11Sep26 meeting?
   • EPSRC Programme grant; also outline stage proposal (no deadline):
     • Next "gathering" date 01Dec26.
     • Worth doing to bring together our programme.
     • Focus on development of bio and med-tech aspects.
     • Potential also to bring forward a proposal on plasma lens post 11Sep26 meeting.
   • EU MCSA:
     • Restarted that at Imperial today!

3. 4-nation initiative:
   • Wales:
     • Glyndwr innivotions ... optical; unused proton facility in Newport; Chorus;
       • PP: Find out what is happening to it
       • RA: Ask about the IBA angle
   • Ireland (whole island?):
     • Sarah as well
     • Royal College of Surgeons; Dublin.
   • Scots:
     • RSE: BB will contact RSE and try and get meeting in Edinburgh
   • 2-year plan.

4. CP4CT workshop series:
   • 11Sep26: Cylindrically symmetric strong focusing
   • xxYYY27: Novel time-resolved and high-resolution imaging -- need to start on it
     • Ask for people to invite
       • CW: Gail McConnel
       • KL:
       • RA: Katia Parodi on imaging
       • Brm, Liverpool, UCL

3. DONM
   
   • Date of next meeting: 04Aug26 -- 16:00 BST

• Next CM
  • Important to have set for next fortnightly.

4. AoB
   
   • KL, PP:
     • Met with Olly Glover, MP for Didcot and Wantage. Constituency includes the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. OG engaged and interested to support development of case for LhARA as an exemplar multidisciplinary high-risk/high-return initiative.
   • HO:
     • Pointed EB to: ​https://arxiv.org/pdf/2605.05441
   • PP:
     • Reminder of need for biology plan; important to get a document defining the programme we wish to pursue. All encouraged to engage.

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