Today – 12th September 2024 – is the 8th Anniversary of the South West Nuclear Hub. Over this last year, we have continued to positively contribute to our academic and industrial partnerships and resulting projects; creating new work and opportunities for academics, students and professionals, reaching young people and advocating for the industry in the South West and UK.
With so much positive work coming from the Hub this year, we are pleased to share some important news about our structure going forward!
Goodbyes
We are extremely excited to share that South West Nuclear Hub Co-Director Professor Mahmoud Mostafavi has accepted the position of Head of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Monash University, located in Melbourne, Australia.
We are of course very sad to see Mahmoud go; Mahmoud has been with the University of Bristol for nearly 11 years, co-directing the Hub for six of those. He is an esteemed researcher, colleague, supervisor, and collaborator, and Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair at the University of Bristol. His cutting edge research in fatigue, fracture and creep helped extend the operation of UK nuclear power stations and set the foundations for the next generation of reactors. His vision in driving digital solutions, through for example the SINDRI project, has cemented strong industrial relationships. Mahmoud has been an asset to this University and Monash are lucky to have him now leading their one of their departments.
Hellos
With this amazing opportunity for Mahmoud comes a catalyst for change here at the South West Nuclear Hub. The University of Bristol – where the Hub is based – has also undergone structural changes which has seen the separate Faculties of Engineering and Science join together into one singular faculty.
The South West Nuclear Hub has been working behind the scenes to create a new leadership structure which best reflects these changes, and our renewed visions for the future of the Hub and the nuclear sector.
Therefore, we are extremely pleased to introduce our new SWNH Directors:
Welcoming Professor Claire Corkhill and Professor Chris Truman to their roles as Directors, joining Professor Tom Scott, Director and Founder of the South West Nuclear Hub.
We are now taking on a three-director model! Each director will have individual responsibilities which align with their personal strengths and the SWNH strategic pillars; Claire will take on Research and Innovation; Chris will focus on Skills; and Tom will continue to drive engagement. Aligning the new Director roles to our strategy will enhance the activities taking place at the Hub, and how we interact with our Members, drive our projects and interact with government and policy.
Speaking on joining the Hub, Professor Corkhill said:
“I'm thrilled to be joining the team at the South West Nuclear Hub as Director of Research and Innovation at this pivotal time, to facilitate efforts to bring together the best academic research minds of our region with our state-of-the-art facilities and our industry and government partners, to underpin the role of nuclear in the UK's ambitions for net zero and a circular economy.”
This is a really pivotal time for the Hub and the nuclear industry more widely. On this, Claire adds:
“This truly is an exciting time for nuclear energy in the South West region. Not only are we building the first nuclear reactor in the UK for decades, but also de-fuelling and decommissioning many others, both of which bring plenty of science, engineering and societal challenges. There are opportunities aplenty for the next generation of small and advanced modular reactors in the region too, which could realise benefits for sustainable power, heat and medical isotope production.”
This new structure covers the breadth of nuclear activity taking place at the Hub, and will maximise the benefits to the University, our members and wider region while remaining strategic. The experience and expertise shared between Claire, Chris and Tom cannot be understated, and we are really excited for what the next chapter of the South West Nuclear Hub holds.
Prof Chris Truman shares the sentiment:
“Joining Tom and Claire as Directors of the South West Nuclear Hub has been such a great opportunity to reset and refocus the Hub’s plans and ambitions. With such huge focus on skills and recruitment within the wider industry going into the next decade, we are well placed to drive positive change and advocate for people and training to achieve these ambitious goals.”
Professor Tom Scott shares a final reflection on the changes at the Hub and in nuclear:
“I’m so excited to be growing the directorship at the Nuclear Hub, which recognises the continuing growth of our portfolio of research, innovation and training activities. When I founded the South West Nuclear Hub with the late Professor David Smith, the Hinkley Point C project was a major catalyst as the first new nuclear project in the UK for several generations.
Today, we’re seeing a much larger nuclear programme emerging in the UK, signalling a true renaissance for nuclear and helping to cleanly transition away from burning fossil fuels for energy.”