The members of the CERN alumni network, who now number more than 10 000, had the opportunity to give feedback in the 2025 CERN alumni survey. With just under 1000 responses, the results highlighted the values and expectations of this global community.
A key result was an increase in recommendations, with the network's Net Promoter Score (NPS) increasing from 12 in 2020 to 22 in 2025. Qualitative findings showed that an individual's relationship with the network often reflects their CERN experience. For many, CERN was a formative and positive part of their lives, and the alumni network helps maintain that sense of belonging. Others feel more distant, highlighting the need for multiple pathways into the network and tailored engagement at different career stages.
Staying connected remains the primary motivation
Alumni continue to join the network to stay in touch with CERN, follow scientific developments and hear about events. Early-career members are also looking for mentoring, career guidance and professional growth. Events remain central, including much appreciated career events such as Moving out of Academia and Virtual Company Showrooms, as well as scientific and technological updates through the News from the Lab series. Regional groups help maintain connections, and awareness of them has risen from 47% in 2020 to 67% in 2025.
Visibility and awareness remain ongoing challenges
The Weekly Digest and targeted emails continue to be highly valued, but raising awareness in an information-saturated world is difficult. Many respondents were unaware that several frequently requested services already exist on alumni.cern, such as tools to network with other members, video recordings of past events, career resources and mentoring opportunities. Improving visibility of these features is a clear opportunity for the network.
Complete profiles strengthen the entire community
A simple, high-impact action is for members to complete and update their profiles. Information on professional experience, industry sector and current location improves alumni-to-alumni connection and helps to identify speakers, panellists and interviewees. Crucially, anonymised data also supports 'CERN's Member States by providing evidence of the societal impact of CERN alumni. Furthermore, several survey results are also feeding into the CERN-wide socio-economic impact study, underlying the broad contribution of CERN's alumni community.
Created in 2017, the network enables people to remain connected with CERN and its community when they leave, supports the Organization's mission in fundamental research, demonstrates the societal impact of professional experience at CERN and helps those transitioning from CERN to industry or other sectors. Not a member yet? Join today and discover what the network has to offer - and why not share what you are doing at CERN with the alumni community in one of our News from the Lab events
