The biggest contribution of CERN to humanity is not theoretical physics, it's the engineering progress made possible by the truly exceptional requirements of the machinery of the accelerator and all the supporting infrastructure. Ultra high vacuum, specialty detectors, electromagnetic components, control systems, cryonics, new alloys etc.
All the know-how and human capital generated by these megaprojects along with a better understanding of fundamental physics is transferred into practical applications a few years later. I can understand how a physics phd might not be exposed so much to this aspect of the project, but the societal benefits are very real despite being hard to quantify and track.
All the know-how and human capital generated by these megaprojects along with a better understanding of fundamental physics is transferred into practical applications a few years later. I can understand how a physics phd might not be exposed so much to this aspect of the project, but the societal benefits are very real despite being hard to quantify and track.