Job title and company: Professor of Energy, The Open University Role within NPC: Ordinary Member
Originally trained as an experimental physicist after ten years in physics research, my career shifted across to science and technology policy in the late 1990s with a growing interest in energy issues. In 2005 I published a book entitled “Nuclear Renaissance”, and these days I am mostly known for my work examining issues in nuclear energy. In October 2012 I joined the Engineering and Innovation Department at The Open University. I am also a Fellow of Hughes Hall (a college of Cambridge University) and I am Honorary Editor and Chair of the Editorial Panel of the Institution of Civil Engineers journal Proceedings-ENERGY. Finally I am OU lead for the Imperial-Cambridge-Open Centre for Doctoral Training in Nuclear Energy.
Favourite engineering innovation: I am constantly impressed by the SatNav in my car – what an amazing engineering system. Person I most admire: I am enormously impressed by the intellectual creativity and vision of James Lovelock of Gaia fame. Greatest challenge facing engineering: As regards careers in the nuclear industry – it seems the days of national efforts are receding – careers in this sector are increasingly international – be prepared to travel.