LOFAR ERIC coordinates the development and efficient operation of LOFAR (the LOw Frequency ARray), a vital radio astronomy instrument for world-class scientific research with cohesively operated facilities located in several countries.
The LOFAR ERIC Council has appointed Professor Peter Gallagher as its new Chair, effective 1 January 2026. He succeeds Jacqueline Mout, who has led the Council since the establishment of LOFAR ERIC in December 2023.
Prof. Gallagher is Head of Astrophysics and Director of Dunsink Observatory at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS). He is also Head of I-LOFAR, the Irish station of the LOFAR network located at Birr Castle, County Offaly, which he has led since its establishment. His research focuses on solar activity and space weather using ground- and space-based facilities. He is a member of several ESA and NASA mission teams, including Solar Orbiter, and has been instrumental in connecting Ireland to the international LOFAR network.
Commenting on his election, Prof Gallagher said:
“I am honoured to take on this role at such an important time for LOFAR ERIC. The coming years will see major upgrades to LOFAR, and I look forward to working closely with all member countries to realise these opportunities.”
Outgoing Chair Jacqueline Mout expressed confidence in the appointment: "Peter has shown a strong commitment to international collaboration. His appointment ensures continuity and stability for the Council as we navigate an important phase in the consortium’s development. I am confident LOFAR ERIC will continue to flourish under his guidance."
Michiel van Haarlem, Director of LOFAR ERIC, welcomed the appointment: “This is an excellent choice for LOFAR ERIC. Peter’s understanding of the consortium and his ability to build consensus will be invaluable as the Council continues to guide our long-term strategy and strengthen international partnerships.”
The LOFAR ERIC Council serves as the governing body of the European Research Infrastructure Consortium, providing overall direction and supervision of the world's largest and most sensitive radio telescope operating at low frequencies.
The LOFAR ERIC Council has appointed Professor Peter Gallagher as its new Chair, effective 1 January 2026. He succeeds Jacqueline Mout, who has led the Council since the establishment of LOFAR ERIC in December 2023.
LOFAR ERIC continues its rapid expansion with the Czech Republic joining as its newest member country, following the Council’s approval in September 2025. The addition brings the consortium to nine member nations and further strengthens Europe’s position at the forefront of low-frequency radio astronomy.
First Announcement
We are happy to announce that the 8th LOFAR Data School (LDS2026) will take place at ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (Dwingeloo, The Netherlands) from 16 to 23 September 2026.
We are excited to announce that the LOFAR Family Meeting 2025 will be held in Paris, France, from 22 to 26 September 2025!
The conference will take place at the Paris Institute of Planetary Physics (IPGP), located in the historic Latin Quarter, just steps away from the beautiful Jardin des Plantes.
Sweden and the United Kingdom have joined the LOFAR ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium) as a member, following the decision of the Council on 26 March 2025. This significant expansion brings the total membership to eight countries, marking an important milestone in the growth of this pioneering research infrastructure.
The LOFAR ERIC Council has appointed Dr. Michiel van Haarlem as the new Executive Director of the European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC), established by the European Commission in December 2023.
On December 20, 2023 the European Union officially established the LOFAR ERIC: a European Research Consortium Infrastructure. The activities of the Dutch International LOFAR Telescope (ILT) foundation are now continued by the European LOFAR ERIC.
To celebrate this milestone, delegates of all ten participating countries came to the Netherlands, the hosting country of the LOFAR ERIC and location of the LOFAR core.
The LOFAR Family meeting 2024 will take place from 3 - 7 June 2024 in Leiden. It is hosted by Leiden Observatory, the astronomical institute of Leiden University, in the Netherlands. Established in 1633 to house the quadrant of Rudolph Snellius, it is the oldest operating university observatory in the world.
The Low Frequency Array European Research Infrastructure Consortium (LOFAR ERIC) is looking for a new executive director, who will play a pivotal role in representing LOFAR ERIC to all relevant stakeholders and ensure the efficient joint operation of the LOFAR facilities.
We write to follow the announcement you have received from René Vermeulen describing his imminent extended leave, starting on 1 March.
We take this first opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for René in leading LOFAR to its current heights. René’s painstaking work has enabled LOFAR to build from a nascent Dutch facility into an ever-growing and strong European collaboration of members, now numbering 10 countries.
LOFAR ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium) has been officially launched at its first Council meeting today. The world-leading LOFAR (LOw Frequency ARray) Distributed Research Infrastructure has already revolutionised low-frequency radio astronomy research, resulting in an avalanche of scientific publications in the past decade. LOFAR ERIC is now a single legal entity across the European Union.
