The UK Civil Nuclear R&D Landscape Survey: A review of trends prevalent in the UK Civil Nuclear R&D sector in 2022/23

Contributors: Olivia Thompson, Dan Mathers, Simon Franklin, Adeola Warner, Francis Livens.

Published in Nuclear Future 22.1

DOI: https://doi.org/10.63198/nuclearfuture221410

SUMMARY

• The Nuclear Innovation and Research Office (NIRO) and
  Nuclear Innovation Research Advisory Board (NIRAB) released The UK Civil Nuclear R&D Landscape Review, providing an in-depth analysis of the civil nuclear R&D landscape during the period of 2022-2023.
• The review was carried out through investigating four key lenses: nuclear policy, nuclear funding, nuclear staffing and skills and access to research facilities.
• This article provides a summary of the key findings and actions needed to maintain the current momentum of developing R&D programmes and to enable successful delivery of newly confirmed build programmes.

LEAD AUTHOR

Nuclear Innovation Research Office (NIRO) is an independent strategic and technical advisor to the government, providing
technical input, feedback or peer review for submissions, policy papers, business cases, tender documents, advice to Ministers and design of projects and programmes. NIRO’s work aims to inform policy, support the governmental goal of hitting net zero by 2050 and enable maximum value for money to the UK taxpayer.
NIRO supports NIRAB in its preparation of advice and guidance for nuclear energy to play a crucial role in securing a low carbon future for the UK and ensuring energy security.