The Nuclear Engineering research group within Lancaster’s School of Engineering (in collaboration with Nuclear Lancaster) played host to the biennial Uranium Science Conference, hosting academics from across the world for three days of networking and presentations.

Originating at Bristol University in 2019, Uranium Science brings together members of the nuclear community to discuss all aspects of uranium chemistry and usage within the nuclear fuel cycle. The conference – which ran from 2^nd to 4^th July – is an interdisciplinary event, welcoming engineers, chemists, physicists, and industrial practitioners from around the world for exciting uranium-centred presentations whilst offering the wider academic and industrial community a chance to meet and collaborate in person. Lancaster has a long history of excellence in Nuclear Engineering research and is the home of the National Nuclear User Facility - UTGARD Laboratory, a unique facility within the UK higher education landscape which focuses on accelerating UK spent nuclear fuel research within the key areas of disposal, reprocessing and future fuels. Lancaster has also recently established a brand-new research centre, Nuclear Lancaster, which draws upon the interdisciplinary nature of nuclear research, encouraging cross-faculty collaborations in the field. The research centre played an instrumental role in the organisation of the conference.

The conference showcased the forefront of current uranium research, covering topics from the importance of new nuclear fuel designs in the quest for net zero, the environmental management and understanding of uranium in different biomes, the forensic identification of sources of uranium and nuclear waste management. Additionally, a special symposium was hosted in honour of Professor Bruce Hanson of the University of Leeds, who sadly passed away in February of this year. Each day of the conference covered talks from the key theme areas, keynotes from pre-eminent academics within their respective areas, presentations and posters delivered by delegates, as well as a number of breakout talks from sponsor companies.

This year’s event was incredibly well-attended, with almost 100 attendees and featured sponsorship from Rolls Royce, AWE Nuclear Security Technologies, Netzsch, Lucideon, Verder Scientific and Nuclear Waste Services Research Support Office. As well as technical talks on a diverse range of subjects, delegates were treated to an evening conference meal at Lancaster Brewery to sample its CAMRA award-winning ale.

Organiser of the event, Dr Richard Wilbraham commented on the success of the conference: “It was such a fantastic opportunity to host Uranium Science here at Lancaster, and it was wonderful to meet with colleagues from across the globe in the nuclear fuels and waste industry. It was also a great honour to host a symposium for Professor Bruce Hanson. During the preparations for Uranium Science 2025, Professor Bruce Hanson agreed to give a plenary on the topic of Advanced Nuclear Fuel Cycles. Sadly, Bruce died on the 22nd of February from complications associated with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), just over a year after he had been diagnosed. Bruce was a much-loved friend and colleague to many working in the nuclear and chemical engineering disciplines and will be sorely missed. But he was also an internationally respected expert in the area of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing and many touching tributes were paid during technical talks that spanned all aspects of nuclear fuel reprocessing and the legacy he has left behind within the area.”

Director of Research for the School of Engineering and co-lead of Nuclear Lancaster Professor Colin Boxall concluded by saying: "It was an honour to be able to host the fourth Uranium Science conference at Lancaster University earlier this month. The first major international conference organised by Lancaster's new nuclear research centre, Nuclear Lancaster, the goal of Uranium Science 2025 was to explore the research frontiers and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in the areas of uranium-based fuels, advanced fuels cycles, waste management, environmental remediation and nuclear forensics. Especially, it afforded an opportunity to celebrate the work of Professor Bruce Hanson. Accordingly, the surplus made by the conference will be shortly donated to the Motor Neuron Disease Association in his honour."

Delegate from the University of Manchester Dr Alistair Holdsworth added: “Uranium Science was an informative get-together of enthusiastic and like-minded scientists and an excellent forum to foster new ideas and collaborations, combined with a touching memorial for our late colleague, Professor Bruce Hanson.”