Photo: Colourbox

A whole year devoted to light

UNESCO has named 2015 the International Year of Light. And DTU will naturally be marking the event.

2005 was the year of physics, and 2009 was the year of astronomy. 2015 has now been named the International Year of Light by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. While the focus of both 2005 and 2009 was on scientific aspects, the International Year of Light will feature a broader societal dimension.

The decision to devote an entire year to light stems from recognition of the key role light plays in all aspects of human existence: from photosynthesis to the revolutionary changes that it has brought to everyday life in the fields of medicine, communication and culture.

In Denmark, the Danish Physical Society will be marking the start of the International Year of Light on 22–23 January at its annual conference at DTU Fotonik. A number of recognized researchers into light will be speaking at the conference, including John Dudley, President of the European Physical Society, and one of the driving forces behind the International Year of Light.

A range of displays and events will be held over the course of 2015 to mark the International Year of Light, including a special exhibition at DTU Library on Lyngby Campus. Light will also play a prominent role in Open Lab events, the Day of Research, and the Children’s University.