LAAC: LSC Academic Advisory Committee

The space for students and postdocs of the LSC

Here you can find:

The LSC Beginners Guide
Information about interesting events at the LVK meetings
LAAC projects and useful resources
Links to many other useful sections in the LIGO Wiki.
Frequently asked questions

LAAC helps students and postdocs to learn more about LVC, find useful information and collaborate. You can find more detailed information about us on this page

Your LAAC

March 2025 LVK meeting information

Educational Resources

Collection of talks, lectures, and other resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What do LSC/LVC/LVK mean?

LSC stands for LIGO Scientific Collaboration, and it’s a group of scientist working on LIGO detectors. LVC is an old acronym for a collaboration of LSC and Virgo Collaboration. Since 2019 KAGRA joined the collaboration, so the new joint name is LVK (LSC + Virgo + KAGRA).

What is the relation of LAAC to LSC & LVK?

LAAC is the LSC committee. However, on the LVK meetings we welcome everyone to the LAAC events.

What can LAAC help me with?

You can address us with any question about your academic life, and we would help you find the information or connect to a person.

What is the job of a LAAC member?

We meet twice a month on a telecon to discuss current projects.
We organize poster sparkler sessions, tutorials and social events for LVK meetings.
We provide various information either in direct response to questions, or when it is of a general interest.

Would you like to join the LAAC team? (click for details)

The members serve for two years, with elections held every year.

What will be your responsibilities as a member?

What you have to do:

You meet with the rest of the LAAC team regularly and bring the perspective of your representation into the committee.
You contribute to planning events and tutorials and to distribute material for information and education.

What you don’t have to do:

You don’t need to know a great deal about the LSC (although this is a great way to learn).
You don’t have to speak for your representation group (e.g. PhD students) in an ‘I know all of their opinions’ kind of way.
If you are likely to finish your PhD before the end of this two-year term: no problem!

If you are enthusiastic, like organising and would like to help make our scientific environment more student friendly, this is the right job for you! It also can give you an interesting view behind the scenes of the LSC - and of course it is a great addition to your CV.