On February 12, 2025, Dr. Francisco Colomer was elected as the first CTAO ERIC Council’s Chair, bringing with him a wealth of experience in both astronomy and the management of international scientific projects.

Currently serving as Programs Director for the Spanish Deputy Directorate General for International Consortia, Organisms and Research Infrastructures, under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU), Dr. Colomer has played a key role in shaping European research policy. In 2023, he coordinated the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the fields of Scientific Research, Innovation, and Space.

During 2018-2022, he served as Director of the Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC (JIVE ERIC), hosted by ASTRON in The Netherlands, where he obtained valuable experience in leading ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium) organisations. Committed to the deployment of research infrastructures, his leadership extended to chairing the Executive Board of the ERIC Forum in 2021 and 2022.

With a strong interest in management, strategy, sustainability, and leadership, Dr. Colomer has been deeply involved in European Commission discussions on the definition of the European Research Area (ERA) and the European Pact for Research and Innovation. From 2021 to 2022, he represented scientific infrastructures in the ERA Stakeholders Forum, helping shape the future of research collaboration in Europe.

Beyond management, his scientific contributions in radio astronomy over three decades have resulted in more than 100 publications, significantly advancing our understanding of stellar structure, evolution, and mass loss mechanisms.

And passionate about science communication, Dr. Colomer actively participates in public outreach events and conferences. He also founded and served as the first president of the “Quart es Ciencia” Association, dedicated to bringing scientific knowledge to his hometown, Quart de Poblet in Valencia, Spain.

In this interview, Dr. Colomer delves into the importance of the CTAO ERIC establishment, the next steps for the newly formed Council, and provides his vision for the future of the Observatory.

The CTAO became an ERIC on January 7, a fundamental milestone for the Observatory to ensure its expected 30 years of operations. What are the main changes brought by the new legal entity?

The establishment of the CTAO as an ERIC comes after many years of work of many enthusiastic people, who recognised the scientific value and opportunity of investing in this rising observatory. The ERIC label adds commitment and credibility to the project, also at the highest level by engaging the ministries and the European Commission, which is essential for its long-term success.

Based on your experience, what are the biggest opportunities of operating as an ERIC?

There are now 30 operational ERICs in all fields of science, three in astronomy: JIVE, LOFAR, and now the CTAO. Being a legal entity under the ERIC regulation gives stability but also great flexibility, allowing us to define policies and procedures that are well suited to the Observatory’s mission.

How do you see the evolution of international collaboration under this new context?

With the ERIC, Europe has a great tool to attract the establishment of global research infrastructures. The CTAO ERIC is a good example since partners around the world support the construction and operation of this astronomical observatory with headquarters in Italy, data management centre in Germany, and telescope sites in Spain (Canary Islands) and Chile. There are, however, still some challenges to smoothly incorporate non-EU partners, which have been identified and are being addressed by the European Commission. Hopefully, soon, it will become a much easier process, not just for our benefit but for the European and international research communities.

Following the creation of the CTAO ERIC, we now celebrate the establishment of its Council. Can you explain what this achievement means for the Observatory and, personally, for you to be Chair?

The Council of the CTAO ERIC is the body where the investors of the research infrastructure meet, and make the most important decisions on strategies but also operations. There are two delegates per ERIC member, but also representatives from strategic partners, observers, and third-party organisations. This ensures that all opinions are heard, and all interests are considered. Being the first chair is an honor but also a great responsibility — I aim to build trust, so consensus is achieved on the essential issues.

What are the key first steps the CTAO ERIC Council will focus on in the coming months?

In the coming months, we expect to move all assets and activities from the CTAO gGmbH (former legal entity of the Observatory) to the CTAO ERIC, so the whole project runs under one umbrella. The team at the CTAO Central Organisation will also transition and continue to grow as the construction of some of the telescopes will advance at a rapid pace. While this is ongoing, we also need to start planning for operations and early science. There is a lot to do!

The CTAO ERIC was initially formed with the commitment of 11 countries and one intergovernmental organisation, but there is an increasing international interest in the CTAO. Can we already anticipate participation of new countries at governmental level?

The support of the founding countries and ESO is a demonstration of the interest in the CTAO, which extends to other partners around the world. We are already in talks with additional countries so we are certain that our membership will continue to grow. There are many ways to engage in the project, to serve different communities and their circumstances, ensuring that we are as inclusive as possible.

As the CTAO is now entering fully into the construction phase, what are the key priorities from a strategic perspective?

Our priority is to ensure the maximum quality in the construction of the telescopes and data centres, while respecting the timing and availability of resources in an always complex and quickly changing scenario. Not less important, to attract more partners and funding needed for the CTAO ERIC to be a sustainable organisation for many years to come.

Looking toward the future, what long-term impact do you hope the CTAO will have on astrophysics and beyond?

We are building the most advanced and powerful instrument to study gamma rays in the Universe. I hope its discoveries will expand and change our understanding of the most energetic processes in astrophysics.

Finally, what message would you share with the global technical and scientific communities that are eagerly awaiting to explore the extreme Universe with the CTAO?

Scientists are eager to receive data from the CTAO ERIC which will certainly bring new discoveries. We share this enthusiasm and will work hard to complete the construction of the facilities and reach early science as soon as possible. There are great challenges in this project, which we can only overcome with the involvement of the best technical and scientific experts, and the CTAO is fortunate to have such a strong professional community. Soon, the global scientific community will have an unprecedented tool to explore the extreme Universe, opening new frontiers of the Cosmos. We stand at the threshold of a new era in astrophysics.